Vizio TV Stuck On Downloading Updates: How To Fix [2023]

written by

Doug Stevenson

updated September 07, 2023

Updates are necessary for all modern gadgets, even for an innovative and feature-rich product like a Vizio Smart TV.

I have had a sleek Vizio M series TV for quite some time, and during my time with it, I have always welcomed the new and innovative features Vizio adorns with each successive update.

But what can you do if your Vizio TV gets stuck on downloading an update?

If your Vizio TV gets stuck on downloading updates, check for network issues and power cycle the TV and the Router/Modem. You could also update the Vizio TV manually using a USB stick (FAT-formatted). If the problem persists, factory reset your Vizio TV.

Here's a more comprehensive account of the fixes that will help you when your Vizio TV gets stuck on downloading an update.

Power Cycle the Vizio TV

Often, issues that seem dire to us may only warrant the simplest of resolves. Refreshing the Vizio TV could just be what your device needs when stuck on downloading an update.

Power cycling the Vizio TV may seem a bit overwhelming a term, but I assure you it's pretty much a fancy term for rebooting your TV the old fashion way.

Also, power cycling is a proven fix for several issues on the Vizio TV, such as Vizio TV stuck on SmartCast or when the Vizio Remote starts blinking Red.

With that said, here's how to power cycle your Vizio TV:

1. Turn OFF the TV and unplug the power supply from the Vizio TV.

2. Leave it idle for a few seconds.

3. Press and hold the Power button for a couple of seconds. Repeat this step a couple of times.

4. Plug back in the power supply and power ON the TV.

Try updating the TV now.

Check for Network Issues

Network is crucial for most things Smart on your Vizio TV. And that goes for downloading updates as well.

In other words, updating your Vizio TV on an unstable network connection will lead to issues other than the one at hand, like SmartCast failing on Vizio TVs.

And so, when stuck on updating your Vizio TV, it's time to check for issues with the network.

Running a speed test on your network should suffice. You can access a speed testing application on your Smart device or PC through a dedicated app or a browser.

Popular speed testing applications include fast.com and speedtest.net.

Once you run the test, you get a real-time account of the various networking parameters, such as the network speed, latency, and signal strength.

And as you may already know, all these parameters are crucial for updating your TV.

If you find a noticeable discrepancy with these parameters, you better start troubleshooting the network.

Let's start with power cycling the Router/Modem:

Power Cycle the Router/Modem

More often than aught, issues with the network can easily be assuaged by refreshing the parent networking device, the Router/Modem.

And how do you refresh the said device - with a power cycle test.

As with the Vizio TV, power cycling the Router/Modem follows a similar method. Here's how to do so:

1. Unplug the Router/Modem from the power supply.

2. Leave it idle for a good minute or so.

3. Press and hold the power button for a couple of seconds. Repeat this step a couple of times.

4. Plug back in the power supply and power ON the Router/Modem.

Now, run the speed test once again on the network. Check for any imbalance.

If everything seems normal, connect the Vizio TV to the network and initiate the update.

Change the Network on your Vizio TV

Now, if refreshing the network doesn't work out for you, you could always opt for a different network.

Almost all modern WiFi routers offer at least two networking bands - 2.4 and 5 GHz.

If you have trouble connecting your Vizio TV with a networking band, switch the connection to another. Then check for the issue.

Vizio TVs support both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.

While each band has its own distinctive advantages, the 5 GHz band is known to be a bit more stable and faster than the 2.4 GHz band.

Although, the latter offers a lot more range than the 5 GHz band.

With that said, here's how to change the network on your Vizio TV:

1. Open the Menu tab on your TV.

2. Navigate to the Network option.

3. Select a different network.

4. Enter the password to finalize the connection.

Check for the issue now.

You could also opt for a wired connection on your Vizio TV. Connect an Ethernet input cable to the Ethernet port of your TV to do so.

Wired connections fare comparatively well compared to wireless ones since they have better transmission characteristics and are far less susceptible to interference.

Manually Update Vizio TV

Now, if you still can't get your Vizio TV to download an update, you could always rely on a more manual method of updating the TV.

Granted, this method involves a bit more steps than the conventional method, but it is very much doable nonetheless.

And I can't stress enough the importance of proper updates on your Vizio TV.

As with issues like flickering screens on Vizio TV and Vizio satellite speakers not working, updating your TV manually could be your way out of this issue as well.

With that said, follow these steps to update your Vizio TV manually:

1. Go to Vizio.com on a PC, and search and download the latest/stable firmware version pertaining to your Vizio TV.

2. Unzip the Update file.

3. Copy the extracted content onto a FAT-formatted USB stick.

4. Eject the USB stick from the PC and connect it to the TV while turned ON.

5. The update process should trigger automatically.

6. A popup prompt should appear onscreen, informing you of the update progress.

The TV will restart once the update is completed.

Factory Reset Vizio TV

The ultimate fix of this, and many other issues of its like, is to factory reset the Vizio TV.

Factory resetting your Vizio TV will revert all the user-defined and system configurations to their factory defaults.

In due process, all the incumbent bugs, errors, and other inconsistencies get wiped out of the system.

Some of the issues known to vanish after a factory reset include the Vizio TV flashing different color issue and the Vizio TV black screen issue.

And so, without any further ado, here's how to reset your Vizio TV:

1. From the Menu tab, navigate to the System menu.

2. Click on the Reset TV to Factory Settings option and select Reset TV.

3. Enter the Parental code (if any) to initiate the reset. (Default code: 0000)

Wait for the process to complete. Check for the issue now.

You could also reset a Vizio TV without relying on the system interface. But Vizio TVs do not feature a reset button.

Instead, press and hold the Input and the Volume down buttons together for about 15 seconds to initiate a factory reset.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, a comprehensive and insightful guide elaborating on the various fixes to aid you when Vizio TV gets stuck on an update.

If you still can't get your TV to download an update, it's best if you get ahold of the customer services of Vizio for further assistance.

Hardware issues like a damaged WiFi card or motherboard elements can also hinder updates.

If that's the case, it's recommended not to tackle such issues on your own, rather, enlist a trained professional.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I cancel a Vizio update?

The easiest way to cancel an ongoing Vizio update is to turn OFF the TV. But do not that doing so can complicate things with the TV's firmware, and may even corrupt your TV.

Do VIZIO Smart TVs update automatically?

Yes, Vizio SmartCast TVs update themselves when an update is made available to them. Only ensure that the TV is connected to a working, stable network.

You May Also Enjoy Reading

Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

Connect With Me