VIZIO's power article for TVs that will not turn on, turn themselves off or have a flashing power light gives one order. Check the power cord is firm at the TV and at the wall, and test the outlet with a lamp or phone charger; connect the TV straight to a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension cord.
The checks in more detail
Then power cycle it: unplug the TV, wait at least five seconds, press and hold the TV's own Power button for three to five seconds while it is unplugged, plug it back in and turn it on, remembering that some VIZIO TVs switch on by themselves when power returns. If the power light is on but the TV does not respond, press the physical Power button, replace the remote batteries, make sure nothing blocks the remote sensor, and check whether another VIZIO remote in the room is controlling the TV.
For a power light that flashes, blinks or fades, disconnect all HDMI and USB devices and try again, and contact support if the TV still will not power on. For a TV that turns off by itself, disconnect every external device, leave it on for several minutes and reconnect devices one at a time; then turn off HDMI-CEC under Menu, All Settings, System, CEC, since a cable box, soundbar or console can switch the TV off. If you have more than one VIZIO TV, remove batteries from the other remotes to test.
VIZIO says a TV can turn itself off because of a connected device, so add devices back one at a time and write down the order, which tells you exactly which cable or box is responsible. If you own an onn TV powered by VIZIO, the same steps apply but support goes through the onn route on VIZIO's site. Keep the receipt and the model label photo together, since VIZIO and the retailer will both ask for the purchase date before they discuss a replacement.
Differential
Likely causes of “VIZIO TV line keeps restarting or will not stay on”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A loose cord or bad outlet
What separates it The TV has no power because the cord is loose or the outlet is bad
How to confirm Reseat the cord at the TV and at the wall, and test the outlet
- 2
A power strip or extension cord
What separates it The power light flashes or fades because a power strip or extension cord is in use
How to confirm Plug the TV straight into a wall outlet, and not into a strip
- 3
A device using CEC
What separates it The TV switches itself off because a device is sending it a CEC command
How to confirm Turn CEC off, and isolate the device that sends the command
- 4
Another VIZIO remote
What separates it The TV changes state on its own because another VIZIO remote is controlling it
How to confirm Remove the batteries of the other VIZIO remotes that are nearby
- 5
A power board fault
What separates it There is no response after every step, which points to a fault on the power board
How to confirm Contact VIZIO support, since a power board fault needs a repair
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- How the power light behaves when you plug the TV in
- Whether the button on the TV itself works
- The result of testing the outlet with another device
- Which connected device causes the TV to shut down
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCheck the cord
ReversibleCheck the cord at the TV and at the wall, and make sure that it is pushed in fully.
Test the outlet
ReversibleTest the outlet with another device, such as a lamp, to be sure that it has power.
Try the TV button
ReversibleTry the button on the TV, to rule out the remote as the reason it does not respond.
Disconnect devices
ReversibleDisconnect the HDMI and USB devices, and test whether the TV stays on without them.
Turn CEC off
ReversibleTurn CEC off in the Menu, under All Settings and System, to test for a CEC command.
Contact VIZIO
ReversibleContact VIZIO if the TV stays dead, and give them the model and the serial number.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- onn models
- onn TVs powered by VIZIO follow the same article, with their own support route.
- Power light
- Some models show no power light in standby.
- 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 TV will not power on after the steps, contact VIZIO support
- !If the light flashes with everything unplugged, contact support
- !If it shuts off only with one device, check that device
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Power cycle, flashing light and CEC steps.
Power, menu test, input and backlight service.
Menu test, picture modes and service triggers.
Enabling CEC and brand names.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How long should I wait when unplugging?+
Wait at least five seconds when you unplug the TV, before you plug it in again.
Should I hold the TV's Power button?+
Yes, three to five seconds while unplugged.
Can another remote turn my TV off?+
Yes, another VIZIO remote can turn your TV off, if it is nearby and in the same room.
Can CEC turn the TV off?+
Yes, CEC can turn the TV off, when a connected device sends a power off command.
What if the light flashes?+
If the light flashes, disconnect the devices, and then contact VIZIO support.
Do all VIZIOs have a power light?+
Some models show no power light at all, so do not rely on it.
What is SmartCast?+
SmartCast is VIZIO's smart TV platform, and it is now also called VIZIO OS on newer models.
How long does a VIZIO take to boot?+
It takes about fifteen to thirty seconds, and it may show No Signal briefly while it starts.
What is a soft power cycle?+
A soft power cycle is a menu option under Reset and Admin, and it restarts the TV without erasing anything.
What is CEC on a VIZIO?+
CEC is Consumer Electronics Control, which lets devices power on and control the volume of each other.
What is an onn TV powered by VIZIO?+
It is a Walmart brand TV that runs VIZIO software, though its support follows a different path.