VIZIO's audio article is for the TV's built-in speakers. First run the speaker test where available: press Menu, choose All Settings, Support, Speaker Test (on some models Menu, All Settings, System, Support, Speaker Test), after turning off any soundbar, receiver or headphones; the TV raises the volume automatically, and if no sound plays even in the test, contact VIZIO Support. If the test plays but sound is still missing, raise the volume, press Mute once, and check the cable or satellite box, since boxes have their own volume and mute.
The checks in more detail
Open Audio settings and make sure TV Speakers is On and Audio Out is set to TV Speakers, because a connected soundbar or receiver can switch the TV speakers off automatically; disconnect the external device to test. Power cycle the TV by unplugging it for five seconds. Check cables for cuts, fraying or bent connectors, reseat them and try another HDMI input.
Test a built-in app such as YouTube and a different input: if sound works in the app but not from one device, the device, cable or its audio settings are the cause, and if there is no sound from anything, the TV's settings or hardware may be involved. For distorted sound, lower the volume, try other sources, disconnect external devices, replace the cable, restore audio defaults and power cycle; distortion on every source may need service.
The speaker test raises the volume for you, which is why VIZIO wants soundbars and headphones disconnected first: a connected device changes what the test proves. Choose speech content when testing, since speech shows a muted center channel or wrong output at once. If you own a VIZIO soundbar as well, run the TV speaker test with the bar unplugged, then plug the bar back in and repeat, so you know which of the two is making the sound.
Differential
Likely causes of “VIZIO TV line has picture but no sound”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Mute or low volume
What separates it There is silence because the volume is low or the TV is muted
How to confirm Turn the volume up, and press Mute once, to make sure that it is off
- 2
TV Speakers turned off
What separates it The TV is silent with a soundbar attached because TV Speakers are turned off
How to confirm Set Audio Out to TV Speakers, in the audio settings
- 3
A cable box with its own volume
What separates it The sound is silent only from the cable box because the box has its own volume
How to confirm Raise the volume on the cable box, since it has its own volume control
- 4
A damaged cable
What separates it The sound crackles or is missing because a cable is damaged
How to confirm Reseat the cable, or replace it, and test the sound again
- 5
A speaker fault
What separates it There is no sound in the speaker test, which points to a speaker fault
How to confirm Contact VIZIO, since a silent speaker test points to a hardware fault
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the speaker test plays a tone through the TV speakers
- The Audio Out setting that is chosen in the audio menu
- Which inputs are silent, and which give sound
- Whether a soundbar is attached to the TV
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedRun the speaker test
ReversibleRun the speaker test, which you find under Menu, All Settings and Support, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Raise volume, press Mute
ReversibleRaise the volume and press Mute, and check both, since either can silence the TV.
Set TV Speakers On
ReversibleSet TV Speakers on, and set Audio Out to match, in the audio settings, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reseat cables
ReversibleReseat the cables at both ends, and try another input to see if the sound returns.
Test a built-in app
ReversibleTest a built in app, to isolate whether the fault is with the device or the TV.
Restore audio defaults
ReversibleRestore the audio defaults if the sound is distorted, and then check it again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Soundbars
- VIZIO's soundbar articles cover no audio from the bar.
- Speaker test
- Not present on every model.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Quantum 4K QLED TV, V-Series 4K TV, M-Series Quantum X TV, OLED H1 TV.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the speaker test is silent, contact VIZIO Support
- !If only one device is silent, check that device
- !If distortion is on every source, the TV may need service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Speaker test and audio settings.
Soundbar audio checks.
HDMI ARC and optical connection.
Enabling CEC and brand names.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Where is the speaker test?+
Menu, All Settings, Support, Speaker Test.
What if the test is silent?+
If the test is silent, contact VIZIO Support, since a speaker may have failed.
Why is my soundbar making the TV silent?+
TV Speakers may switch off when a soundbar is attached, which makes the TV silent.
Does the cable box have its own volume?+
Yes, the cable box has its own volume, so raise that as well.
What if the sound is crackly?+
If the sound is crackly, lower the volume and change the cable.
Is the test on every model?+
No, the speaker test is not on every model, so check the menu of yours.
Does a VIZIO have Bluetooth headphone support?+
Firmware version 1.510.21.1-1 or newer adds it, on the models that support Bluetooth.
Can two VIZIO remotes interfere?+
Yes, they can, if two VIZIO TVs are in the same room, since the remotes may control both.
What does the V button do?+
It opens the SmartCast Home screen, on many of the VIZIO remotes.
Does DHCP need to be on?+
Yes, unless you enter a manual address, since DHCP is how the TV gets an address.
What is Advanced Adaptive Luma?+
It is a picture feature that can be turned off when you notice flicker in dark scenes.