Something’s off…
Your Vizio soundbar is supposed to give you the best audio experience.
But if the audio keeps cutting out…
It can get more than just a little frustrating.
Thankfully, you don’t have to keep suffering.
There are ways to fix that issue.
Read on to find out:
- Why input and output settings matter on your Vizio Sound Bar.
- Whether doing a hard reset on your Vizio Sound Bar is necessary.
- 5 easy ways to fix the audio that keeps cutting out on your Vizio soundbar.
- And so much more…
Why does my Vizio sound bar keep cutting out?
Your Vizio soundbar keeps cutting out because it’s not powered on. Also, you may have set it to the wrong audio input and output. Or maybe the issue’s not your soundbar but your TV. Finally, your device may need a firmware upgrade or a hard reset.
Vizio soundbar keeps cutting out: 5 fixes
#1: Check if your soundbar is on
So, your sound bar’s audio keeps cutting out, huh?
According to Vizio, the first thing you need to check is whether it’s on.
This seems like a no-brainer, but many people tend to make this mistake.
And this is very important, so you shouldn’t miss it.
A soundbar that isn’t powered on properly won’t play any audio right.
So, to check whether your soundbar is on…
You just need to check if there is a light on the soundbar.
That’ll be on the left side or the center.
“I don’t see any light.”
Try the following fixes:
- Unplug the power cord from the soundbar and the wall.
- Reconnect the power cord.
- Check if the soundbar is now on.
“I still don’t see any light.”
Maybe it’s not the soundbar. Perhaps it’s the power source.
To verify, connect a different device to the wall.
If this doesn’t power on, your power source needs to be changed.
You may also like: (15 Fixes) Vizio Soundbar Won’t Turn On
#2: Try a different device
“But what if my soundbar powered on and the audio still cut out?”
Okay, so we need to isolate the issue further.
At this point, we’ve determined that your soundbar and power source work.
So, could it be your TV, then?
To check if this is true…
Connect a different device to your soundbar.
“What if I don’t have a different TV?”
That’s not a problem. You can still perform this if you have a smartphone or a tablet.
Your Vizio soundbar can also play audio from these devices via Bluetooth.
To do this:
- On your smartphone or tablet, turn on Bluetooth.
- Press and hold the Bluetooth button on your soundbar for at least 5 seconds.
- Search for your soundbar on your device and tap “Pair.”
- Wait for the two devices to pair.
- Check if audio successfully plays through the soundbar.
#3: Set the soundbar to the right input setting
So let’s say the audio didn’t cut out when you connected a different device…
Does that mean that your TV is now useless and needs to be replaced?
Not quite.
There’s a simple explanation for why it won’t play audio properly.
And it’s because your soundbar may not be set to the right input setting.
What’s audio input, you say?
In simple terms, audio input comes from the device that your soundbar is connected to.
In this case, it’s your TV.
For your soundbar to play audio that doesn’t cut out…
It should be set to the right input setting.
So how do you do this?
- Make sure that your TV’s powered on.
- On your soundbar, press and hold the Input button.
- Wait for the light to flash from the top of the soundbar and down.
- Wait until your soundbar finds the input for your TV.
After this, your soundbar should start playing audio properly.
To be safe, it helps to power cycle your soundbar.
- Unplug the power cord from the soundbar.
- Unplug the soundbar from the power source.
- Wait for at least 10 seconds.
- Reconnect the power cord to the soundbar and the wall.
#4: Connect the soundbar to an Audio Out port on your device
Does the audio still cut out?
Then you should ensure the soundbar is connected to the right Audio Out port on your TV.
This is because a TV is an input device that sends audio signals out.
And your soundbar is a receiver that should be getting these.
“Is that easy to check?”
Very much so.
You just need to look at the back panel of your TV…
And see if the cable from the soundbar is connected to the port that says “Audio Out.”
“But I think it’s connected to the right port.”
Then let’s try these fixes.
For HDMI Connections
If your soundbar is using an HDMI connection…
The only thing you need to check is the quality of the HDMI cable.
Why?
You’ll know if there’s an issue with the cable if…
You’re also getting no video on your TV when it’s connected to the soundbar.
That’s on top of the audio cutting out.
If this is the case, then it’s your cable that needs to be replaced.
For 3.55mm AUX Connections
If your soundbar is connected to your TV via an aux cable…
The physical state of your cable should also be checked first.
Look for signs like:
- Fraying.
- Loose wiring.
- Broken/chipped components.
If your cable looks okay, but you’re not getting consistent audio…
- Check if the cable is securely connected to the “Audio Out” port.
- Restart your TV.
- Restart your soundbar.
- Check whether that fixes the issue.
For Bluetooth Connections
“What if I’m using a Bluetooth connection?”
If you’re using Bluetooth to play audio through your soundbar…
Your TV should be within close range of your soundbar.
According to Vizio, a soundbar has a Bluetooth range of up to 30 feet.
But…
This doesn’t take into account possible sources of interference. Meaning – things that can block a signal.
So, if you’re using Bluetooth to connect your TV to your soundbar…
Check whether any of the following are located between the two devices:
- Baby monitors.
- Cordless phones.
- Microwave ovens.
- Thick concrete walls.
Read next: 9 Steps To Fix Vizio Soundbar Bluetooth Pairing Problems
#5: Reset the soundbar back to factory settings
Still no go?
Then maybe your soundbar needs a hard reset.
A hard reset is when you erase all the previous settings you’ve set on your soundbar.
This’ll erase:
- Audio settings.
- Bluetooth pairings.
- Saved WiFi networks.
- Other custom settings.
“Isn’t that a bad thing?”
Actually, no.
A hard reset can fix common device issues, such as your audio cutting out.
There are various ways to reset your Vizio soundbar.
The first is with the buttons on the device itself. Here’s how to do it:
- Make sure that your soundbar is powered on.
- Look for the Bluetooth and Volume Down buttons on the soundbar.
- Press and hold these buttons for at least 5 seconds.
- Release the Bluetooth and Volume Down buttons.
- Wait for the LEDs to flash 3 times.
Another way to reset your soundbar back to factory settings is through your Vizio remote.
But this only applies to these 2 soundbar models:
To do a hard reset using your remote:
- Go to Menu, then find “Setup”.
- Use the arrow buttons to navigate to “Reset All”.
- Choose “Reset All”.
- Select “OK” to confirm.
- Wait for the light on the soundbar to blink 3 times.
Bonus: Check if the soundbar has the latest firmware version
Now…
What if you’ve done all the abovementioned steps but your soundbar still won’t work?
Does that mean you just need to get another soundbar?
No, not yet.
You can still check whether your soundbar has an updated firmware version.
“Is that necessary?”
Yes. Running the latest firmware is important to your sound bar’s performance.
This is because firmware version updates have the latest settings…
That’ll affect a lot of things.
Among many is compatibility.
For example:
Your TV’s firmware has been updated. Yet, your soundbar is running an old version.
Then, there can be issues between the 2 devices.
“Okay, so what do I have to do?”
General Firmware Update Instructions
Step 1: Go to the Vizio support page.
Step 2: Enter your sound bar’s model number.
Step 3: Go to the Support article, and download the link to the firmware update.
Step 4: Save the file to a USB drive.
Step 5: Power on the soundbar.
Step 6: Disconnect the power cord.
Step 7: Plug in the USB drive with the downloaded file.
Step 8: Connect the power cord back into the soundbar.
Step 9: Check if 2 LED lights are lit on the front of the soundbar.
If this is the case, it means the update is about to start.
Step 10: Check if the 1st, 3rd, and 4th LEDs are lit.
This means that the update is currently in progress.
Step 11: Wait for the LEDs to turn off and unplug the USB drive.
This signifies that the update is complete.
Note: Don’t unplug the USB drive if the lights on the soundbar are still on.
If you have a legacy Vizio soundbar, watch the update process here:
Firmware Update Instructions for Vizio SmartCast Sound Bars
This is how you update the firmware of these Vizio SmartCast soundbars:
The first way is through WiFi:
Step 1: Download the SmartCast app for Android or iOS.
Step 2: Connect your soundbar to the WiFi.
- On your remote, go to Menu, then find “WiFi Setup”.
- Press the Play/Pause button, then choose “WiFi Setup”.
- To confirm pairing, select the Play/Pause button again.
- Check if the LEDs start flashing to indicate pairing.
Step 3: Open the SmartCast app on your phone or tablet.
Step 4: Go to Menu, scroll down to “Devices Settings”, then choose “Add New Device.”
Step 5: Follow the on-screen setup instructions.
Step 6: After, tap on “Settings” then “System,” then navigate to “Check for Updates”.
Step 7: Confirm and tap on “Yes”.
If an update is available, your soundbar will power off.
Additionally, you’ll lose your connection to the SmartCast app.
Wait until the power and connection to the SmartCast app have been restored.
You can also install a firmware update through a USB drive:
Step 1: Download the latest firmware version from the Vizio support page.
Step 2: Transfer the .zip file from the download onto a USB drive.
Step 3: Power on your soundbar.
Step 4: Set it to input with no audio.
Step 5: Plug in the USB drive to the USB port at the back of the device.
Step 6: Wait for the lights to start blinking to indicate that the update is in progress.
Step 7: Once the lights stabilize and the soundbar is powered back on. The update is finished.
Step 8: Check whether the firmware has been updated.
- Open your SmartCast app on your phone or tablet.
- Go to “System,” then “System Information.”
- Tap on “Sound Bar Information.”
- Check whether it’s 1.31.06.1.
Firmware Update Instructions for Vizio SmartCast Sound Bars and Audio Products
This set of instructions is for these specific models:
Moreover, the process is actually similar to the update instructions for SmartCast soundbars.
The only difference is in pairing the soundbar with the Internet.
For the regular SmartCast soundbars, you need to go to “WiFi” Setup.
But for these models, you need to find “Link” on your TV’s menu.
If your soundbar still emits audio that cuts out after all these…
Contact Vizio for support.