Smarttvs

Vizio TV Black Screen – 9 Fixes to Try

December 1, 2023

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Vizio TVs are known for being easy to use, and there are many reasons to love this television brand. Vizio TVs have tons of features, so you can find something that suits your needs.

However, sometimes there are problems with these televisions. And you might need help when trying to fix them.

You will now read a list of common reasons people experience Vizio TV with no picture. And then, you will also learn how to resolve the issue of the Vizio black screen.

Reasons for Vizio Black Screen

If you’re seeing a Vizio TV screen black, here are some reasons behind it:

  • Your TV is in sleep mode. Your Vizio may have shut off after being idle for an extended period. Press any button on the remote or front panel to wake it up.
  • There are loose connections between the backlight and the main board. If so, reinstall them properly with one hand while keeping an eye on your work. You don’t want them coming apart again! You should also ensure that all cables are tightly connected to their ports. If they come loose, you could fry other components or even ruin your display altogether!
  • Outdated firmware. Has a software update recently that might have caused problems with your Vizio? Update it again if necessary—but only after checking out our tips below first!

Along with sleep mode, faulty connections, and outdated firmware, there can be many other reasons why you are seeing a Vizio TV screen black.

And some more such reasons are software bugs in your Vizio TV, screen mute, and faulty backlight.

Besides, if you want to fix the Vizio remote not working, let’s know the causes, and then fix the stopping your remote from working issue properly.

Ways to Fix Vizio TV Black Screen

To troubleshoot a Vizio black screen issue, you’ll need to determine what may be causing the problem. If your Vizio TV’s screen has gone black and is displaying nothing but a blank screen, this can occur for many different reasons, as mentioned above.

But you do not need to worry. Because now, we will help you to fix the problem of the Vizio TV screen being black with some troubleshooting tips.

The troubleshooting tips mentioned below are likely going to work for you. So, try them one by one and see which one fixes the black screen issue.

Also, if your Vizio SmartCast is not working and you wish to fix it, you can follow the guide here with every practical solution to address this issue easily.

1. Power Cycle the Vizio Smart TV

  • Turn off the TV by pressing and holding the power button on your remote until you see a pop-up menu.
  • Unplug your TV for 30 seconds before plugging it back in and turning it back on again after this time has elapsed. This will reset the device, clearing out any temporary issues that may have caused a Vizio black screen problem on Vizio smart TVs. Wait for the Vizio smart TV to boot up before proceeding with further troubleshooting tips.
Power Cycle the Vizio Smart TV
  • Check for firmware updates on the Vizio website if available; update if necessary.

2. Hard Reset the TV

  • If you have a Vizio TV that has a blank screen, don’t worry! It is possible to fix this issue. Here are the steps to take:
  • Turn off your TV. Unplug it from its power source and wait 30 seconds before plugging it back in. You may also want to remove any batteries from the remote control if you can do so quickly. Such as by lifting their battery compartment.
Hard Reset the TV
  • Press and hold the power button for at least 30 seconds.
  • After that, wait for 10 minutes, plug the power cord back into the socket, and reconnect all the devices with your TV.
  • Lastly, turn on your Vizio TV and check whether the Vizio TV screen black of death is gone.

3. Disable Sleep Timer

If the Vizio black screen doesn’t go away, it could be your sleep timer. First, disable the sleep timer on your Vizio TV. To do this:

  • Go to Settings > Sound & Display > Sleep Timer.
Disable Sleep Timer
  • Set the Sleep Timer to Off by pressing it once until it blinks and then again until it lights up. You may have to press it for several seconds. Your TV will no longer go into standby mode after a set amount of time has passed after you stop watching or listening to content from your Vizio TV. Instead, you can manually turn off your Vizio TV at any time by pressing its power button.
  • Suppose you don’t see a “Sleep Timer” option in Settings or Sound & Display on your screen. Or if the option isn’t labeled correctly – check with Vizio customer service for help. Ask them for help in finding where that setting is located in your model’s menu structure.

4. Change Picture Mode Settings

  • First, make sure that you’re using the correct input. There are many different ways to connect your Vizio TV to a source, and each can have its list of image settings. If you don’t see your desired picture mode listed, try cycling through the other inputs until you find it.
  • Next, go into the Picture Mode Settings menu. This is usually found by going into the Main Menu and selecting Picture Mode Settings.
  • Then select the Picture Mode that you want to use for watching movies or TV shows. Some TVs have separate settings for these two types of content. Once selected on this screen, press “OK” on your remote control.
Change Picture Mode Settings

5. Check the Cables

  • Check the HDMI cable. Ensure the HDMI cable is connected to both the back of your TV and your device. Make sure it’s in all the way and not damaged at all.
  • Check the HDMI cable connection. If you’ve got a Vizio TV, make sure you’re using an input on your TV (not another device). For example, if you’re trying to connect a PS4, use one of its HDMI ports. Do it instead of connecting it to an input labeled “Blu-Ray Player” or something similar.
  • Check that the port is working properly. Do that by testing other cables with devices connected directly. If those devices aren’t working, it might be time for new cables!
Check the Cables

6. Check the Wall Outlet

If your TV is connected to a wall outlet, first check it for power.

  • If you have another device that uses the same type of cord, try plugging it into the wall outlet. If the device powers on, then there is no problem with your TV and its cord or power supply. You’ll need to contact Vizio’s customer service department about getting a replacement cord. If the other device doesn’t turn on, continue reading below!
  • Next, try plugging another working device into this same outlet and see if it works properly. This can help eliminate any issues with your house’s wiring. Once again, if it works, we know that there’s nothing wrong with either of our devices except maybe how ugly they are. But anyway, let’s keep going!
Check the Wall Outlet

7. Check for the Latest Updated Version

If your Vizio TV is displaying a Vizio black screen and you’ve already checked the power cable, it’s time to check for the latest OS version. The most recent models should have an update available for download on their support website.

You can find this by going to https://support.vizio.com/s/firmware-search in a web browser. And then using one of these supported browsers:

  • Internet Explorer 11 or higher
  • Chrome 54 or higher
  • Firefox 50 or higher

Are you using a model released before 2016? Then it’s likely that there aren’t any firmware updates available for your TV when browsing through Vizio’s support site.

In this case, you’ll need to install an update from another source. Such as through Windows Update. Is there anything listed on Vizio’s website yet?

In addition, are you experiencing issues with your Vizio sound bar? Let’s learn how to reset the Vizio sound bar, as it will solve any ongoing issues with the device.

8. Factory Reset the Vizio TV

If your Vizio TV has a Vizio black screen, you may want to try resetting the TV. Resetting the TV will restore its factory settings. And it will remove any personal content you’ve saved on it.

This is a last-resort solution, but it’s worth trying if nothing else seems to work.

To Reset Your Vizio TV:

  • Power off the Vizio TV by unplugging it from power or turning off its main switch (if there is one). Please wait at least 30 seconds before plugging back in/turning it on again. Don’t press any buttons while waiting. Or you may accidentally change something while resetting!
  • Press and hold down both Volume Down and Input buttons until a blue screen appears. Then release both buttons simultaneously after about 3 seconds. This should take about 20-30 seconds, depending on the model. Some models have different steps.
Factory Reset the Vizio TV

9. Replace the T-CON Board

The T-CON board is a part of the LCD panel. It is responsible for the screen display, power supply, backlight, and brightness. You can replace it if it is defective or damaged due to some reason.

Replace the T-CON Board

Before replacing the T-CON board, you should check whether there is any problem in other parts of your TV. Such as the power supply board or inverter board, because they can cause Vizio TV screen black issues.

If you are unsure how to replace the T-CON board, it is better to get help from a professional technician.

Also read: 10 ways to fix ‘Vizio TV no sound‘ issue and how to add apps to Vizio TV.

FAQs

Q1: Why is my Vizio TV screen black but has sound?

A1: If you have sound but no picture on your Vizio TV, it could indicate a problem with the backlight or the display panel. Try adjusting the brightness settings or contact Vizio’s customer support for further assistance.

Q2: Can a damaged HDMI cable cause a black screen on my Vizio TV?

A2: Yes, a damaged HDMI cable can result in a black screen or other display issues. Consider replacing the HDMI cable with a new one to see if it resolves the problem.

Q3: How often should I update the firmware on my Vizio TV?

A3: It’s a good practice to check for firmware updates periodically, especially if you’re experiencing any issues with your Vizio TV. Updating the firmware can often resolve bugs and improve performance.

Q4: Will a factory reset delete all my saved settings on my Vizio TV?

A4: Yes, performing a factory reset will erase all personalized settings and restore the TV to its original state. Make sure to back up any important settings or data before proceeding with a factory reset.

Q5: How long does it take to get a response from Vizio’s customer support?

A5: The response time from Vizio’s customer support may vary depending on the volume of inquiries. However, they strive to provide prompt assistance and typically respond within a reasonable timeframe.

Conclusion

When using your Vizio TV, it’s essential to know what to do when the Vizio black screen problem occurs.

The Vizio TV has a wide range of capabilities and features that can sometimes cause problems when misused or combined. When this happens, the screen goes black or appears frozen.

As mentioned in this article, you can try several things to fix this problem before calling customer service for assistance.