“I want to connect my Vizio soundbar to WiFi. So that I can update its firmware automatically. But how?”
Although connecting your soundbar to WiFi isn’t necessary at all…
Doing so offers users a lot more benefits.
Plus, it’s super easy to do!
You just need to ready your soundbar, mobile device, and WiFi network.
That being said…
Read on to discover:
- 6 easy steps to connect a Vizio soundbar to WiFi.
- Reasons why your soundbar isn’t connecting to WiFi.
- How to set your Vizio soundbar into WiFi setup mode.
- How to add your soundbar to the Vizio SmartCast app for pairing.
- And so much more…
How to connect Vizio soundbar to WiFi?
To connect your Vizio soundbar to WiFi, download the Vizio SmartCast app. Then, connect your mobile device to WiFi. Next, set your soundbar into WiFi setup mode using the soundbar remote. After that, add your soundbar as a device on the SmartCast app. And enter your correct WiFi network information.
6 steps to connect Vizio soundbar to WiFi
#1: Download the Vizio SmartCast app
Since Vizio soundbars have no display screen…
You can’t connect your Vizio soundbar to WiFi directly on the device.
If you want to connect it to your local WiFi network, you must use a third-party device. Which can be your smartphone or tablet.
And you have to install the Vizio SmartCast app into it.
“Do I have to pay a premium to use it?”
The Vizio SmartCast is free. You can download it on your Android smartphone or tablet, iPhone, or iPad.
However, your Android or iOS device should meet the minimum requirement of:
- iOS 8.0 or higher.
- Android 4.4 or higher.
Here’s how to download the Vizio SmartCast app on Android and iOS devices:
On Android devices:
Step 1: Visit the Google Play Store. Or your default Android app store (e.g., Huawei AppGallery).
Step 2: Tap the search icon at the top-right corner of the screen. Look for a magnifying glass icon.
Step 3: Enter “Vizio SmartCast app” on the search bar.
Step 4: Click the Vizio SmartCast app logo. It should be the first result to come up.
Step 5: Press “Install.” And wait for the installation process to finish.
On iOS devices:
Step 1: Go to the Apple App Store.
Step 2: Tap the search icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen. Search for the magnifying glass icon.
Step 3: Type “Vizio SmartCast app” on the search bar.
Step 4: Click the Vizio SmartCast app logo. It should be on top of the results.
Step 5: Press “Get” next to the app name.
Step 6: Tap “Install” to start downloading the app.
#2: Sign in to your Vizio SmartCast account
Once you’ve launched the Vizio SmartCast app…
You’ll be asked to either:
- Sign in as a guest.
- Create a new account.
- Sign in to your existing account.
If you only want to download your soundbar’s latest firmware or access its manual…
You may sign in as a guest.
To do it, just tap the “Skip” button on the screen.
Note: Signing in as a guest won’t save your custom settings once you’ve logged out or uninstalled the app.
But if you want to use the app to control your Vizio soundbar better…
Create a new account. Or sign in to your existing Vizio account.
To do that:
Step 1: Tap the “Create an account” or “Sign in” button.
Step 2: Enter your active email address and password.
Step 3: Follow the on-screen verification process.
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#3: Connect your mobile device to WiFi
Next, you must connect your mobile device to your local WiFi network.
Important note: It should be connected to WiFi. And not to a mobile data or hotspot. As doing so will fail the device pairing process.
To connect your Android or iOs device to WiFi:
- Open your mobile device.
- Go to settings.
- Select “WiFi.”
- Look for and tap your WiFi network.
- Then, click “Connect.”
If you haven’t connected to it before, you must enter your correct WiFi password first.
And if you’re previously connected to your mobile data…
Turn off your mobile data by tapping the mobile data icon on the quick control panel. Then, connect to your local WiFi network.
“I can’t connect to my WiFi…”
If that’s the case, then either:
- Your mobile device is malfunctioning.
- You’re entering an incorrect password.
- Your WiFi router is running into some glitches.
You can fix most connectivity errors by resetting your WiFi router and mobile device.
To reset your WiFi router:
- Ensure that the device is ON.
- Unplug it from the socket.
- Wait for about 30 seconds.
- Then, replug and turn ON the router.
And to reset your mobile device:
- Press and hold the POWER button.
- Then, click “Restart.”
If you still can’t connect to your WiFi network, you must have entered an incorrect password.
Try to ask anyone in your home if they have changed the WiFi password. Or you may also factory reset your WiFi router to reset the password.
Is your Vizio SmartCast app homepage not loading? Then, watch this video to learn how to troubleshoot it:
#4: Set your Vizio soundbar into WiFi Setup Mode
Now, to start the actual pairing…
Set your Vizio soundbar into WiFi setup mode.
Note: To do this, you must have the soundbar remote that comes with your soundbar package.
Also, your Vizio soundbar must be already connected to your smart TV. As you’ll need your TV screen to navigate your soundbar’s settings page.
Setting your soundbar into WiFi setup mode allows it to detect your WiFi network. And be recognized by the Vizio SmartCast app.
Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1: On the soundbar remote, press MENU.
Step 2: Press the navigation arrow to search for the WiFi setup mode setting.
Step 3: Once you’ve seen it, press the play/pause button to select it.
Step 4: Press the play/pause button again to confirm the action.
If you see the Vizio soundbar LED lights flashing, that means that your device is already in pairing mode. And that it’s searching for a source.
“The LED lights aren’t flashing…”
Well, that may be because your Vizio soundbar has some electronic glitches.
To resolve it, reset your soundbar. And here’s how to do it:
- Ensure that the soundbar is ON.
- Unplug it from the power socket.
- Press and hold the POWER button for 5 seconds.
- Replug and turn ON the soundbar.
Note: After resetting it, make sure to set your soundbar again into WiFi setup mode. Follow the same instructions above.
#5: Add your soundbar as a device
Before you can connect your Vizio soundbar to your WIFi network…
You must first add it as a device on your Vizio SmartCast app.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the Vizio SmartCast app.
Step 2: Select “Get Started” to start the setup process.
Step 3: Wait for your Vizio soundbar to show up on the list of the detected devices.
Step 4: Select your Vizio soundbar.
Step 5: Then, press on-screen instructions to confirm your device. You’ll be asked to press a button on your Vizio soundbar.
Alternatively, you can also follow this set of instructions:
Note: Do this if you’ve installed the app before. And you just have recently added your Vizio soundbar.
Step 1: Open the Vizio SmartCast app.
Step 2: Tap the three-line or three-dot icon at the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 3: Select “Device Settings.” It’s usually the last option.
Step 4: Click “Vizio Devices”
Step 5: Tap “Add a device” on top of the page.
Step 6: Choose your Vizio soundbar among the options.
Step 7: Follow the on-screen instructions.
Suppose you can’t connect your soundbar successfully to the Vizio SmartCast app…
Do any of the following:
- Reset your WiFi router.
- Reset your Vizio soundbar.
- Restart your mobile device.
- Uninstall and reinstall the SmartCast app.
- Put your soundbar into WiFi setup mode again.
- Disconnect and reconnect your mobile device to your WiFi.
#6: Enter your correct WiFi network information
Finally, you’ve come to the last step!
After adding your Vizio soundbar as a device to the Vizio SmartCast app…
Enter your WiFi network credentials to complete the connection process.
On the same page from step #5, enter the same WiFi network name and password you use from step #3.
The reason:
Your smart devices can only communicate with each other if they are in the same network.
So, if you connect your Vizio soundbar to a different network…
The Vizio SmartCast app won’t be able to detect and recognize your device.
And so you won’t be able to control your soundbar using the app.
“How would I know if the connection is successful?”
The connection is successful once you’ve seen your Vizio soundbar listed on the app’s device list.
Also, consider the connection successful if you can now do the following on the app:
- Turn on/off your soundbar.
- Update your soundbar’s firmware.
- Control other audio-related settings.
- Access your device product manual.
You may also wonder: How to pair a Vizio soundbar with a subwoofer?
Why won’t my Vizio soundbar connect to WiFi?
Your Vizio soundbar won’t connect to WiFi because your device isn’t powered ON and not set into WiFi setup mode. It won’t also connect if your soundbar has electronic glitches or outdated firmware. Connecting your mobile device to a different WiFi network can also cause it to happen.
When connecting your Vizio soundbar to WiFi…
Here are some things that you should keep in mind:
- Your Vizio soundbar should be set into WiFi setup mode.
- Your devices must be connected to the same WiFi network.
- Your Vizio soundbar should be already connected to your smart TV.
- You must add your soundbar as a device on the Vizio SmartCast app.
- Your mobile device should meet the minimum requirement to run the app.
If you fail to do any of these, your Vizio soundbar will fail to connect to your local WiFi network.
So, make sure to check the compatibility of your devices first. Then, follow the setup instructions strictly.
Suppose you still can’t connect your Vizio soundbar…
Here are some troubleshooting methods that you can do:
- Reset your WiFi router.
- Reset your Vizio soundbar.
- Restart your mobile device.
- Update the WiFi router firmware.
- Reinstall the Vizio SmartCast app.
- Update your mobile device’s software.
- Update the soundbar’s firmware via USB.
- Reconnect your mobile device to the WiFi.
You may also press the “LINK” button on your soundbar remote. Doing this helps your Vizio soundbar to connect to WiFi more easily.
Note: However, this troubleshooting method only applies to select Vizio soundbar models.
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