VIZIO has a dedicated flicker article. It names four causes: a loose connection, an incompatible HDMI cable, video-processing settings and a temporary software issue. Start with the HDMI cable, especially on HDR-capable TVs: reseat it at both ends, use a certified High Speed cable that supports your resolution, refresh rate and HDR format, replace it if damaged and try another HDMI input; an HDMI 2.0 or newer cable may be needed for 4K HDR, and older cables cause flicker, signal drops and black screens.
The checks in more detail
If it flickers only with a cable box, console, streaming device or Blu-ray player, restart the device, check its resolution and refresh rate, temporarily disable HDR, update its firmware and connect it straight to the TV, bypassing a splitter, receiver or soundbar. Then open Picture or Advanced Video and turn off, one at a time, Ambient Lighting, Backlight Control and Advanced Adaptive Luma to see which is responsible. Power cycle the TV and restart the device.
Work out the scope: does it flicker in the built-in apps, the menu or home screen, on one input or several, with one device? One input points at the device or cable, while the menu and built-in apps flickering points at the TV. If it continues, test another cable and input, disconnect all devices and test built-in apps, install the latest software, restore picture defaults and contact VIZIO Support if it flickers across inputs and built-in content.
VIZIO's list of features to turn off is short on purpose: switch them off one at a time and retest, so that a working setting can go back on afterwards. A phone slow-motion video of the flicker shows its rate, and a steady rate suggests backlight dimming while an irregular one suggests the signal. Note whether flicker changes with brightness, because a fault that appears only at certain brightness levels is usually a backlight or dimming setting rather than a cable.
Differential
Likely causes of “VIZIO TV line screen flickers, flashes or goes black intermittently”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
An HDMI cable that cannot carry the signal
What separates it The picture flickers in 4K HDR because the HDMI cable cannot carry the signal
How to confirm Use a High Speed HDMI cable, and check whether the flicker stops
- 2
HDR from a device
What separates it The picture flickers or goes black because of HDR from a device
How to confirm Turn HDR off as a test, and see whether the flicker stops
- 3
Backlight Control or Adaptive Luma
What separates it The brightness changes because of Backlight Control or Adaptive Luma
How to confirm Turn Backlight Control and Adaptive Luma off in turn, and look again
- 4
A splitter or receiver
What separates it The signal drops because a splitter or a receiver is in the chain
How to confirm Connect the device directly to the TV, and not through a receiver
- 5
A TV fault
What separates it The menu also flickers, which points to a fault in the TV
How to confirm Contact VIZIO Support, since flicker in the menu points to a fault in the TV
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the TV's own menu flickers as well
- Which input flickers, and what is on the screen
- The cable and the HDR setting that are in use
- Which picture features are switched on
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedReseat the HDMI cable
ReversibleReseat the HDMI cable at both ends, and make sure that it is pushed in fully.
Use a High Speed cable
ReversibleUse a High Speed cable, and try another input, to see whether the flicker follows.
Restart the device
ReversibleRestart the device, and check its resolution and HDR settings, then test again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Bypass extra equipment
ReversibleBypass extra equipment, such as splitters and receivers, and connect the device directly, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Turn off Backlight Control
ReversibleTurn off Backlight Control, and the other picture features, one at a time, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Power cycle
ReversiblePower cycle the TV by leaving it unplugged for five seconds, and then plug it in.
Contact VIZIO
ReversibleContact VIZIO if it flickers everywhere, including in the menu of the TV, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- HDR TVs
- HDR models are more sensitive to cable quality.
- Gaming
- Consoles can send modes older cables cannot carry.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the V-Series 4K TV, M-Series Quantum X TV, OLED H1 TV.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If it flickers on every input and in built-in content, contact VIZIO Support
- !If the flicker follows one cable, replace that cable with a new one
- !If only one device flickers, check that device
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
HDMI cable, HDR and picture features.
Menu test, picture modes and service triggers.
Power, menu test, input and backlight service.
Power cycle, flashing light and CEC steps.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
What causes flicker?+
A cable, HDR, video settings or software.
How do I tell TV from device?+
See whether the built in apps flicker, since that tells you it is the TV.
Should I turn HDR off?+
Yes, turn HDR off to test, since it can cause flicker on some sources.
Should I bypass my receiver?+
Yes, bypass your receiver to test, and connect the device directly.