How to Fix Vizio TV Keeps Freezing [9 Fixes]

Do you have a Vizio TV that keeps freezing at random or that’s buffering when you view a video on streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, or any other app? If so, you are not alone, as many users are having the same issue and looking on the internet for solutions. Read on to check out why the issue is happening and how you can resolve it.

Vizio is one of the most popular TV manufacturers, known for its affordable pricing. As there is a wide range of TVs available on the market, sometimes some models may malfunction. One of the frequent malfunctions that users are facing these days is that the TV will freeze when they watch TV channels. We have talked personally with the users who faced the issue and then come up with some troubleshooting ways.

Why Does My Vizio TV Keep Freezing?

There can be several reasons why such an issue could occur. We have included some of the common reasons for it.

The auto power off setting is turned on.
A glitch in the TV’s software.
Bug with the HDMI CEC feature.
The TV might be overheating.
Due to Picture Mode.
Internet connectivity issues.
Amongst others.

Apart from this, there may be several other reasons for the issue.

Fix Vizio TV Keeps Freezing Issue

Whether it’s a temporary bug or issue with cookies or something else apply the fix listed below to get your TV back to its normal condition and fix the freezing issue.

Let’s dive right into the different ways to fix Vizio TV keeps freezing issue.

Power Cycle the TV

The First thing you need to do to fix the freezing or buffering issue is power cycle the Vizio TV. For those unfamiliar, power cycling is nothing but a simple restart with additionally pressing the power button. Here’s how you can power cycle the Vizio TV.

Step 1: Turn off your Vizio TV and unplug the cord from the power outlet.

Step 2: Press the Power button for about 60-70 seconds.

Step 3: Next, plug the cord into the outlet and turn on your TV.

Update the TV Firmware

Another thing you need to do when facing a freezing issue is to make sure your TV is running on the latest firmware. Updates come with bug fixes, improvements, and much more than the previous version. To check the updates, follow the below steps:

Step 1: On the remote control, press the Menu button.

Step 2: Go to System > Check for Updates.

Step 3: If there is an update available, follow the on-screen instructions to update it.

Disable Sleep Time & Auto Power Off

Vizio TVs have an auto power-off feature that, once enabled, turns off the TV after 10 minutes of inactivity. Sometimes, turning on the feature also leads to freezing issues. Hence, you need to turn it off by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Press the Menu button on the remote.

Step 2: Tap on Timers and select the Auto Power Off option.

Step 3: Finally, disable the option by choosing Off.

You could also see the Sleep Time option under the Timers settings, which allows users to choose the time after which they want to put the TV to sleep. Turn off the feature as well to see if the issue fixed or not.

Change the Picture Mode

You can also try changing the picture mode of your Vizio TV, as it helps many users fix the freezing issue. Follow the below steps to change the picture mode on your TV:

Step 1: Press the Menu button on your remote.

Step 2: Navigate to Picture > Picture Mode.

Step 3: Switch to a different picture mode, then restart the TV.

Turn Off CEC

Vizio TVs have a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature, using which you can control the devices connected to your TV through an HDMI port using a single remote control. To use the feature, users will have to turn on the CEC feature on their TVs, but sometimes it may cause freezing issues. If this is the case, try turning off the feature by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Press the Menu button on the remote.

Step 2: Navigate to System and choose CEC.

Step 3: Switch to Disabled next to the option to turn off the feature.

Keep Your Vizio TV Cool

Overheating is a common issue with electronic devices, and there might be chances that your Vizio TV is freezing as it gets too warm.

It’s always suggested to keep your TV well-ventilated and ensure that the back of the panel is blocked. To verify if your Vizio TV is overheating, just touch the back of the TV, and if it’s overheating, turn off the TV until it gets cool.

Also, relocate the TV to a place with good air circulation to avoid overheating in the future. Once your TV cools down, power it on, and your issue should be fixed.

Check Your Internet Speed

Suppose you are facing freezing issues on the Vizio TV while watching some content on an application. In that case, you need to check your internet connection, as the content will take time to load due to slow or unstable internet connectivity.

You can easily check your internet by connecting another device to the same network and checking whether it can load content properly or not.

Vizio TV also has a built-in connection testing feature, using which you can test connections. To use the feature, press the Menu button and go to Network > Test Connection.

Update and Reinstall the App

Just like mobile apps, TV apps come with bug or error fixes and improvements over the previous version. You can try updating or restarting an app if you are receiving a stable internet connection but are still facing freezing issues. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Press the V button on your remote.

Step 2: Head over to the app in which you are facing freezing issues and tap the yellow button.

Step 3: Choose Update to update the app.

Step 4: If there is no update available, tap Delete to remove the app.

Step 5: Once removed, again add the app, and your issue should be fixed.

Factory Reset

If none of the methods help you fix the freezing issue, then you need to reset your Vizio TV to its factory settings. Before doing so, note that it will remove all the data and change all the system settings to the default. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Press the Menu button on the remote control.

Step 2: Navigate to System > Reset TV to Factory Settings.

Step 3: Enter the code. If you have not set any, enter 0000.

Step 4: Finally, choose Reset TV to confirm the action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why Does Vizio TV Keep Freezing?

If there is a bug, an issue with your firmware version, internet issues, a glitch with HDMI CEC, a change in picture mode, or others, you might face problems like Vizio TV freezing or buffering.

Q. What To Do When Vizio TV Freezes?

You can try several troubleshooting things to fix your Vizio TV when it freezes. Depending on whether you can navigate to settings or not, you can try the fixes we have added in the article.

That’s all about why your Vizio TV keeps freezing and how you can fix it quickly. While the methods we have added in the article help you fix the problem on your own, if you still face the issue, don’t hesitate to contact Vizio support as there may be a hardware issue on your Vizio TV.

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How to Fix Vizio TV Keeps Freezing