If you got a Vizio TV that turns on by itself, disable the CEC or Eco Mode feature and restart the TV. If it doesn’t work, call Vizio Support for further assistance.
The Vizio TV turning on by itself randomly is a common issue people face not just with Vizio TV but with other brands as well.
The good news is – you can troubleshoot a Vizio TV that keeps turning on randomly. Let’s get that thing out of the way so you can rest your worried head.
Vizio is an American company founded in 2002 and is known for selling affordable TVs, soundbars, and home theater displays. They off-source their manufacturing to OEM companies in Taiwan or China to cut production costs and labor.
Vizio has shipped over 1.5 million sets of smart TVs to its distributors and partners in Q4 of 2022.
Why is my Vizio smart TV turning on by itself?
Here are possible reasons why the Vizio TV may turn on by itself:
- HDMI-CEC mode enabled
- interruptions from a connected device (e.g., game console, streaming device)
- Sleep Timer enabled
- remote malfunction
- installing updates
It is important that you look closely at the scenarios mentioned so you can easily find the quickest solution for your Vizio TV. No worries, though; you can have the TV fixed as long as the issue isn’t very serious yet.
I’ll explain in the next section how to troubleshoot a Vizio TV that keeps turning on. Keep reading!
How to fix Vizio TV that keeps turning on by itself?
Here are ways to fix a Vizio TV that keeps turning on randomly:
| The Fix | Brief Explanation |
| Restart the TV. | Unplug the Vizio TV from the power outlet for 10 seconds. Keep pressing the power button on the TV for 20 seconds. Plug the TV back into the power outlet and turn it on. A simple power cycle usually solves the problem as it drains the power out of the TV and refreshes the system. As a rule of thumb, this should be the initial thing to do in case you encounter problems on any TV. |
| Turn off HDMI-CEC mode. | Navigate to System > Check for Updates. The TV will search for updates. If a new update is available, download it. Updating the TV firmware works, especially when the cause of the issue is software-related. |
| Turn off the Sleep Timer. | To disable Sleep Timer on the Vizio TV, navigate to Menu > System > Timers > Sleep Timers. Then, turn off Sleep Timer. When Sleep Timer is enabled, it programs the TV to turn on or off at a certain time. |
| Disconnect devices from the TV. | Disconnect gaming consoles and other streaming devices from the Vizio TV. The Vizio TV can be activated randomly due to these connected devices. However, if CEC mode is off on your TV, you’re already safe. |
| Check remote. | A remote malfunction could also be the culprit on why the Vizio TV keeps turning on randomly. This happens due to problems with the sensors or overheating. At this point, you might have to get a new remote. As an option for remote, try the Vizio TV remote app. |
| Update TV firmware. | Navigate to System > Check for Updates. The TV will search for updates. If a new update is available, download it. Updating the TV firmware works especially when the cause of the issue is software-related. |
| Factory reset the TV. | To factory reset the Vizio TV, simply press the volume down and input buttons altogether for 15 seconds. A prompt on the screen is shown asking if you want to reset the TV. Press the input button once to confirm. With this method, the TV goes back to its default settings. As a result, you’ll lose all your data and customized settings. |
| Call Vizio Support. | If nothing works for you, call Vizio Support. |
What causes a TV to turn on by itself?
In the general sense of the world, a TV may turn on by itself if there is a foreign object stuck around the power button on the remote control.
In other cases, a television may also turn on randomly when an internal timer is on, when it’s installing updates, or when you’re rebooting the TV.
Take note that a TV that turns on by itself isn’t necessarily broken. Sometimes it’s just a problem with the timer settings, or you just need to reset the TV to fix it.
Why does my Vizio smart TV keep updating and restarting?
A Vizio smart TV will keep updating and restarting when you set the firmware updates to install automatically. As a result, the TV will reboot automatically for the update to take effect.
Although you might be able to disable this feature, I do not really suggest doing so to avoid missing any firmware updates.
It is best to have the latest TV firmware on your Vizio TV to avoid software-related issues and to ensure that your TV is in its optimum condition.
How do I reset my Vizio TV?
There are two ways to reset the Vizio TV – you can either go for a soft or hard reset.
To soft reset the Vizio TV, simply leave the TV unplugged for 10 seconds and keep pressing its power button for 20 seconds. Turn on the TV.
To hard reset the Vizio TV, navigate to System > Reset & Admin > Reset TV to Factory Defaults. Enter 0000 as the PIN code and choose Reset. The TV will turn, and you wait for it to boot up and finish the reset.
You’ll see different menus on the Vizio TV (depending on the model) if you’re trying to do a factory reset. I suggest checking the TV user manual for more information.
Also, the hard reset method is only suggested if your Vizio TV is really behaving strangely. The reason is that it refreshes the entire system, which also means you’ll lose everything, including apps, data, and customized settings.
Is there a reset button on the Vizio TV?
The newer Vizio smart TVs do not have a reset button. However, the reset button on the older models can be located at the back or side of the TV.
As for newer Vizio smart TVs, you can use the volume down and input buttons on the TV to perform a hard reset. While with the older models, you have to press the reset button for a few seconds to reset the TV.
Common problems with Vizio TVs
Apart from the Vizio TV that keeps turning on or off randomly, other issues may involve:
- Problems with TV display
- TV LED light blinking
- slow TV
- remote problems
- problems with smart functions
- problems pairing with another device
The average lifespan of a Vizio TV
The average lifespan of a Vizio TV is around seven years, depending on usage.
If the TV is pretty much ON all the time, it may last roughly between three to five years. If it’s off for a few hours a day, it might last up to five to eight years.
Therefore, you should put some TLC on your Vizio TV for it to serve you longer.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
My Vizio TV remote isn’t responding. What should I do?
If your remote control is not functioning, start by replacing the batteries. If this does not resolve the issue, you may want to unpair and then re-pair the remote with your TV, following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
How do I get rid of colored lines or image distortion on my Vizio TV? C
If you notice colored lines or image distortion on your TV screen, it could be caused by a problem with your cables, a damaged source device, or an issue with your TV hardware. To determine the root cause, try swapping out cables and testing different devices.
My Vizio TV keeps freezing or lagging. What steps can I take?
If your TV is freezing or lagging, it could be due to insufficient memory, software problems, or heavy processing loads. To improve its performance, try restarting the TV, updating its firmware, or closing any unnecessary apps.
Do Smart TVs Turn On By Themselves?
Some smart TVs have an automatic on-off feature.
You can set timers for when your TV should turn on or off. Some models also have built-in timers that would automatically put the TV on standby mode when it’s been inactive for a long time.
An easy way to distinguish if your TV is on standby mode is to check if there’s a light flashing while the screen is off.
Do all Vizio TVs have a Power Button?
All Vizio TVs have physical power buttons.
However, the location of the power button can vary depending on the model.
For Vizio TVs made before 2013, the power button is on the lower right side. For those made after 2013, the power button is located on the lower left side.
Conclusion
If your Vizio TV is turning on randomly, there are steps you can take to fix it. First, disable the CEC mode and restart the TV. If that doesn’t work, make sure the Vizio remote is functioning properly. If all else fails, a hard reset may be necessary as a last resort.
If you are still experiencing difficulties with your Vizio TV, it may be worth contacting Vizio Support for assistance. If you have exhausted all other options and continue to have issues, it may be necessary to consider purchasing a new TV.
Check this article for more Vizio TV-related issues and how to fix them!
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