So you just got a new subwoofer…
And you can’t wait to use it with your Vizio soundbar.
The question is: how do you pair them together so that you can start enjoying amazing sound?
Fret not, I wrote this guide exactly for you.
Read on to find out:
- 3 easy steps to pair your Vizio soundbar with your subwoofer.
- What you need to do to set up the connection for the first time.
- Common fixes if your soundbar won’t connect to your subwoofer.
- And so much more…
How to pair a Vizio soundbar with a subwoofer?
To pair a Vizio soundbar with a subwoofer, you first need to make sure both devices are powered on. After that, you need to set both to Pairing Mode and pair them together. If any of these don’t work, you’ll need to reset your soundbar.
3 steps to pair Vizio sound with subwoofer
#1: Check that both devices are powered on
A successful Bluetooth connection needs your devices to be powered on.
This is the first step to making sure the pairing process goes well.
But sometimes, some people forget about it.
And then they worry about why their devices won’t pair with each other.
So before we get into anything…
First, make sure that your Vizio soundbar and subwoofer are both powered on.
To turn on your subwoofer, you just need to simply:
- Plug it into a power source.
- Check if there is a power button that you’ll need to press.
- Wait until you turn your soundbar on, and your sub receives electrical input.
The third step is very important.
This is because most subwoofers are designed with an “Auto-On/Standby” mode.
What’s that?
It means that your sub will only power on when it detects an audio input.
“Why is that?”
Your subwoofer needs to get an electrical signal from a receiver, like your soundbar.
When it does, it will automatically power on.
And when it doesn’t, it will turn off.
This is helpful for saving energy, which is a good thing. Subs consume a loooot of electricity.
Now, to turn on your Vizio soundbar, follow these steps:
- Make sure that it’s plugged intl and connected to your TV.
- Turn on your TV.
- Press “Power” on your remote or press the Power button on the soundbar.
Note: Try turning the volume up or down to check if the soundbar is on.
Your Vizio soundbar volume indicators will be lit if it’s powered on.
Power Issues with Subwoofer and Soundbar
“Help! My subwoofer won’t seem to turn on.”
Don’t panic. There are a few fixes that you can try for that issue.
Step 1: First, check the lights on your subwoofer.
Most subwoofers have a LED that lights up when it’s powered on.
If you’re not seeing anything, maybe the sub is on Standby mode.
Step 2: Check the cables.
Make sure that there are no frayed or damaged cables.
Also, check whether the sub is connected to the right input/output ports.
Step 3: Check whether menu settings have been changed.
On your receiver, like your soundbar, your sub should be set to the right input settings.
Step 4: Unplug from the wall and plug it back in.
If nothing still works, try unplugging and then replugging your sub.
“I don’t see any volume indicator lights on my Vizio soundbar.”
If you’re having power issues with your Vizio soundbar, try these:
Step 1: Power cycle the soundbar.
You can do this by unplugging the power cable from the soundbar.
And then from the wall.
Once that’s done, press and hold the Power button for at least 5 seconds.
Plug it back in and check.
Step 2: Check the lights on your soundbar.
Step 3: Check that the power cord is securely connected to the soundbar, and to the wall.
Step 4: Plug in another device to the power outlet.
Step 5: Contact Vizio for support.
#2: Set the soundbar and subwoofer to Pairing Mode
The next step is to get your Vizio soundbar and sub on Pairing Mode.
If you’re pairing them for the first time…
Vizio recommends placing them a foot away from each other.
But don’t worry, once paired, they can be farther.
They just need to be a little closer when they get paired for the first time.
To put your subwoofer on Pairing Mode:
- Look for a button that says “Pairing” or “Link”.
- Press and release that button.
The process is also super simple for a Vizio soundbar.
On your remote, you just need to look for a button that says “Pair”.
Then, you tap “Pair”.
Or you can press the Power button for at least 10 seconds.
This is especially true for newer models of Vizio soundbars.
To be entirely sure, check your manual.
Watch this process in this video:
#3: Check if the devices are now paired
Finally, your soundbar should now be paired with your sub.
This process should be automatic once both devices are in pairing mode.
In fact, for some systems, the sub will automatically pair with the soundbar.
Even during the initial setup.
Or the first time you set up the system.
“How do I know that my Vizio soundbar and sub are already paired?”
You just need to check the light on the back of the subwoofer.
If it’s blinking, it means the sub is still unpaired.
If it’s solid, that means your sub is now paired with your soundbar.
“The light is blinking.”
If your sub won’t pair with your Vizio soundbar, try these fixes:
- Unplug the power cords from both devices.
- Wait for a few seconds.
- Plug them back in.
- Get them into Pairing Mode again.
BONUS: Reset your Vizio soundbar
This fix is for when you can’t get your soundbar to work with your subwoofer.
But remember: this should be done as a last resort.
Don’t reset your soundbar if you haven’t tried power-cycling it first.
“But I already did, and it still won’t pair with my sub.”
To reset your soundbar back to factory settings, you can try 2 ways.
The first is resetting your remote.
First, check if you have a working remote.
If you do, proceed to the next steps.
- On your remote, press “Menu”.
- Use the arrow buttons to find “Reset”.
- Use the arrow buttons to select “Reset” instead of “No”.
If you don’t have a remote, try the second option to reset back to factory settings.
This one involves pressing some buttons on your soundbar itself.
- Find the “Bluetooth” and “Volume Down” buttons on your soundbar.
- Press and hold them for at least five seconds.
- Wait for all 12 LEDs to flash 3 times.
When you factory reset your Vizio soundbar…
You lose all the settings you previously set.
This means that any previous pairing will be erased.
So if you’re pairing your soundbar with your sub, it will be like the first time again.
Follow the instructions outlined in this article to re-do the process.
If your soundbar still won’t pair with your sub, contact Vizio for support.
You may also like: (13 Fixes) Vizio Soundbar No Sound
Vizio subwoofer not working: 5 causes & fixes
#1: Subwoofer isn’t paired
The first cause of a subwoofer not working is that it hasn’t been paired.
As explained above, a subwoofer needs to get an electrical signal.
From a soundbar or another device that acts as a receiver.
If it can’t get a signal, it won’t function.
To ensure that it pairs successfully with a device:
Step 1. Check if it’s in Pairing Mode.
Step 2: Make sure it’s not located very far from your soundbar.
Step 3: Assess if there are physical obstructions that can interfere with the signal.
Step 4: Move other wireless devices that may obstruct the pairing.
These include microwave ovens and cordless phones.
#2: The power cables aren’t connected properly
Your subwoofer may also have loose cable connections.
If the cables aren’t connected properly, your sub won’t power on.
Let alone pair with a device and play audio.
Verify if the power cord is securely connected to the sub and the power outlet.
And to the soundbar or the receiver, you’re pairing it with.
#3: The media that you’re trying to play is on mute
This is a common mistake that some people forget to check.
Your sub won’t work if the media that you’re trying to load is on mute.
Checking this should be simple…
Just turn the volume up or down on your TV, soundbar, and sub.
#4: You need content that has more bass
Your subwoofer is designed to amplify the lower music frequencies.
These include bass and sub-bass.
And it’s what makes it such a wonderful device.
For example, regular speakers will let you hear bass sounds.
But with a sub, you can almost feel the bass.
So, if you think your Vizio sub isn’t working…
What could be happening is that your content just doesn’t have a lot of bass.
Try playing another content with scenes/sounds like:
- Explosions.
- Earthquakes.
- Basslines (in music).
#5: There’s a problem with the content you’re trying to listen to
Finally, check whether there’s an issue with the content you’re playing.
An easy way to do this is to do a speaker test.
Vizio recommends the following:
- On your remote, go to Menu.
- Find Speaker Test.
- Press “Play” to start the test.
- Wait if you hear any sound when the test checks your subwoofer.
If none of these fixes worked, request support from Vizio.