How to Restart Vizio TV: Quick Methods That Actually Work

[Harry Williams]

If your Vizio TV is freezing, acting sluggish, or not responding to the remote, restarting it can often solve the issue in seconds. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to restart Vizio TV—including soft resets, hard power cycles, and when to use each method.

Why You May Need to Restart Your Vizio TV​

Restarting your Vizio Smart TV can fix common issues like:

• Frozen apps or unresponsive controls
• Problems with Wi-Fi or network connection
• Glitches after a firmware update
• HDMI input issues or black screen

Whether you have a Vizio SmartCast TV or an older model, restarting is quick and often effective.

How to Restart Vizio TV (Soft Restart)​

The soft restart method is the easiest way to reboot your TV without unplugging anything.

Steps:​

1. Press the Menu button on your Vizio remote
2. Navigate to System > Reset & Admin
3. Select Soft Power Cycle
4. Confirm the selection and wait for your TV to restart automatically

Note: This will not erase your settings or installed apps. It simply refreshes the system memory and shuts down all background processes.

How to Restart Vizio TV Without Remote​

If your remote is lost or not working, you can still restart your TV manually.

Method 1: Power Button on the TV​

1. Locate the power button on your Vizio TV (usually on the bottom left, right, or backside)
2. Press and hold the power button for 10–15 seconds
3. Wait a few seconds and press the power button again to turn it back on

Method 2: Hard Power Cycle (Unplug Method)​

1. Unplug your Vizio TV from the wall outlet
2. Wait for 60 seconds
3. Press and hold the power button on the TV for 10 seconds (to drain residual power)
4. Plug the TV back in and turn it on

This method is helpful if your screen is black or the system is completely unresponsive.

How to Restart Vizio TV with SmartCast Remote App​

If you can't find your physical remote, you can use the Vizio SmartCast mobile app (available for iOS and Android) as a replacement remote.

1. Download and open the Vizio SmartCast app
2. Connect to your TV via the same Wi-Fi network
3. Tap the Remote icon
4. Navigate to Settings > System > Reset & Admin > Soft Power Cycle

How to Perform a Full Factory Reset (If Needed)​

If restarting doesn’t solve the issue and your TV is still glitchy, a factory reset may be required.

Warning: This will erase all your settings and personal data.

Steps:

1. Go to Menu > System > Reset & Admin > Reset TV to Factory Defaults
2. Enter the system PIN (default is 0000)
3. Confirm and wait for the reset to complete

Common Questions About Restarting a Vizio TV​

Will restarting my Vizio TV delete my apps or settings?​

No, a soft power cycle will not delete your data. Only a full factory reset will erase settings and apps.

My Vizio TV won’t turn off — what should I do?​

Try the hard power cycle method:

• Unplug the TV
• Hold the power button for 10 seconds
• Plug it back in

This usually forces a full reset of the hardware and firmware.

Can I restart Vizio TV from my phone?​

Yes, using the Vizio SmartCast mobile app, you can access the remote functions and restart your TV if it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Final Thoughts​

Knowing how to restart Vizio TV can save you from unnecessary frustration and support calls. Whether you're dealing with a temporary freeze, app crash, or sluggish performance, restarting should be your first step in troubleshooting.

Use a soft power cycle for minor issues, a hard reset if your TV is unresponsive, and the SmartCast app if your remote is missing.

If problems persist after restarting, consider updating your firmware or performing a factory reset.

Quick Recap Table​

Restart Method	Best For
Soft Power Cycle	Minor glitches, lag, freezing apps
Manual Button	When remote is not working
Hard Reset	Black screen, total freeze, no response
SmartCast App	No physical remote available
Factory Reset	Persistent issues that a restart can’t fix