As an owner of a Vizio TV I was recently faced with a frustrating issue. My TV screen suddenly froze and I could not get it to work. After doing some research, I found a few tips and tricks to try to get my TV working again. In this post, I would like to share my experience, as well as the other solutions I discovered, so that you don’t have to go through the same hassle.
A simple power cycle test can fix the issue, especially if the problem isn’t hardware-related. However, if the freezing is too frequent, your internet speed may no longer be up to par. In extreme cases, you may need to reset to factory settings or replace defective components.
In this article, learn all the ways you can unfreeze your Vizio TV frozen screen in more detail.
- Power Cycle the TV
Power cycling is a standard procedure for fixing frozen TV screens, so you should have your TV working after a quick power cycle test. Here’s how to do that:
- Unplug the power cord from the socket.
- Keep the power button pressed for about five seconds.
- Plug the cord back in.
- Power on the TV.
You can also perform a periodic soft cycle on your Vizio TV to prevent performance bugs. On your remote, press the Menu button. Navigate to Settings > System > Reset and Admin > Soft Power Cycle. Lastly, select Yes to confirm.
You can also do a manual soft reset by holding down the power button on your TV until it turns off and on again.
- Check Your Internet Connection
You can perform a quick test to check if your internet connection has something to do with your frozen screen. Press the Menu button on your remote, then select Network > Test Connection.
If you get a screen message that reads Download Not Available, it means that you’re not connected to the internet.
To check your connection, go back to the Network page and select your network connection. For a Wireless option, choose the appropriate Wi-Fi network from the list and type in your password. After setting up your network, perform another Test Connection.
Resetting the TV’s DHCP settings can sometimes fix internet issues. To do this, go to Network > Manual Setup. You’ll find that DHCP is turned On. Use the arrow buttons to turn it off, then on again. Test your connection once more.
If you’re still stuck, power cycle your router, following the exact steps for TVs. If nothing works, odds are, the internet is down and all your other devices can’t connect online. At this point, the best thing to do is report the issue to your internet service provider.
- Upgrade Your Internet Plan
If your TV screen is constantly acting up, your internet connection could be the reason. A slow or unstable internet connection can cause your TV screen to freeze at random times.
In case too many devices are sharing the network, other users will experience poor connections as well. Your best option is to upgrade your internet plan.
Video streaming can eat up a sizable chunk of your monthly data allowance, so opt for higher bandwidth with unlimited data. As a general guide, here are the recommended data speeds per device for streaming video content:
- SD: 3 Mbps
- HD: 5 Mbps, 13 Mbps for YouTube TV
- Live TV: 8 Mbps
- UHD/4K: 25 Mbps
- Reset to Factory Settings
A factory reset reverts back to default settings, wipes out user information, and deletes all installed apps. It’s like giving your TV a fresh start.
To hard reset using the remote, press the Menu button. Navigate to System > Reset & Admin > Reset to Factory Defaults. Enter your code if you already have one; otherwise, enter 0000. Select OK to proceed.
If you have a Vizio SmartCast TV, you can hard reset it by following these steps:
- Locate the buttons on your Vizio TV. They’re usually at the side or the back of the unit.
- While the TV is on, hold down the Input and Volume Down buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds.
- Wait for the message prompt to pop up on your screen
- Press and hold down the Input button as told.
After a factory reset, you’ll need to set up a new password and a Wi-Fi connection. You also have to reinstall your apps.
- Have the EEPROM Replaced
EEPROM is a chip that stands for electrical erasable programmable read-only memory. It sits on the main board of your TV and stores your user information.
To determine if you need a replacement, a busted EEPROM will show these symptoms:
- Frozen Vizio logo screen
- The TV won’t power on (the orange indicator is lit)
- The TV turns on, then shuts off (the orange indicator is lit)
Unfortunately, this isn’t a weekend project you can take on without the proper tools and basic skills. So, if you still have a warranty, now is a good time to use it.
Otherwise, a certified technician can tell you whether to replace the EEPROM or the entire main board, which is pricier.
Wrapping Up
There are no minor performance issues that a quick power cycle cannot fix, and a Vizio TV frozen screen is no exception.
If the freezing happens all the time, you might need to perform a factory default reset or upgrade your internet plan. Lastly, a frozen Vizio logo screen that won’t budge at all is a clear sign of faulty hardware. At this point, contact Vizio tech support or any qualified technician.
