Vizio TV Flickering Screen [2023]
It’s possible that the screen, logo, or power light on your Vizio TV will suddenly start flickering.
There are numerous reports from Vizio TV owners who claim to have experienced this issue. Some say they’ve been dealing with it for years.
If you’re having problems with your Vizio Smart TV, there are several reasons for it to be flickering, as well as ways to fix it.
ℹ Vizio screen flickering? Try this quick fix first…
If your Vizio TV is flickering, you must reset it. Unplug your television from the wall and wait exactly 60 seconds. Next, reconnect your TV to the power source. This will perform a safe soft reset on your TV, allowing it to start right up and have a non-flickering display without any issues.
The above method is called a “soft reset” and will most likely cure the issue, but if it doesn’t don’t worry….because we have compiled a list of alternative ways to fix your Vizio TV flickering problem.
How to Troubleshoot Vizio TV Flickering
Check for a Malfunctioning Backlight (The Flashlight Test)
A flickering or flashing picture on your Vizio TV is most likely the result of a broken backlight.
By shining a light on the screen, you can see if the backlight is working.
Even if the backlight fails, the LCD crystals will continue to produce color, making them visible once more with the help of an external light source.
Total failure or hardware malfunction is the most likely cause of this problem.
You’ll need a technician to open the TV’s back so the issue can be resolved or the hardware replaced.
Check for Power Problems
It is possible that a malfunctioning backlight is the primary cause of a flickering display. You can’t rule out the possibility of a power problem, either.
To ensure that your power source is functioning properly try this:
- Unplug your TV from the wall outlet
- Plug a lamp into the same wall outlet
If the light bulb flickers or blows out you have a problem with the power source itself. NOT the TV.
You can also repeat the previous steps substituting your power strip for the power outlet to see if the culprit is a faulty power strip
Adjust your TV’s Backlight Level
Flickering can be caused by the Vizio TV’s Settings.
Make sure you’re in Advanced Video settings and select Backlight Control to adjust the brightness of your backlight.
In addition, some Vizio TVs have an ambient lighting sensor that monitors changes in the lighting in the immediate vicinity of your television.
This sensor can be disabled in the Advanced Video settings menu as well.
You can adjust the brightness and contrast of your Vizio display with an Advanced Adaptive Luma setting.
To reduce video flickering, Vizio recommends disabling this feature.
Observe Lighting Levels of Room
Despite what you may think, television screens are always flickering. But in most cases, it happens so quickly that you wouldn’t even know it occurred!
Flickering can be seen on TVs under certain lighting conditions, but this is only true in the most extreme cases.
Either make the room darker or brighter to correct the problem.
This problem can also be fixed by adjusting the brightness of your television.
It may take some time to get the hang of this, so give it some time prior to actually trying a different solution.
Reset the Picture Settings
Your screen might still be flickering even after you’ve tried adjusting various picture settings.
It’s possible that you’ll have to do a complete system reset.
When it comes to Vizio, you don’t need to perform a factory reset first.
You can actually reset just the picture settings if you so desire to help you troubleshoot the flickering problem.
And if you choose this option, the settings will be restored to their factory defaults. Your saved picture customizations will also be deleted.
You can follow the steps outlined in the following section:
- Press the Menu button on your Vizio remote control
- Choose an image from the drop-down menu
- The More option is highlighted
- In order to reset picture mode, press the right arrow button and select Reset Image Mode
- Press the OK button on your remote control
- When you’re done, click the Reset button to confirm
If resetting the picture settings doesn’t fix the flashing, then the next step is to examine your cables and ports.
Check HDMI Cables and Connections
A faulty cable is another possible cause of a flickering screen.
An issue with HDMI cables in particular is that they can fail unexpectedly.
For this reason, make sure to inspect your HDMI cable if you’re currently using one.
Try to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated with a soft brush or cotton swab.
Make sure you’re using an up-to-date HDMI version 2.0 or 2.1 cable as well.
Flickering on the screen could also be the result of a faulty port.
At least four HDMI ports are standard on new Vizio TV models. Plug your external device or video source into one of those instead.
If you are still have flickering problems, then it may be time to update your TV’s software.
Update Your Vizio TV’s Software
If the software on your Vizio TV is out-of-of-date, you may encounter a variety of problems like flickering, slowness, and even the Vizio Black Screen of Death.
Checking for and installing new Vizio TV OS updates can often be the solution to your problem.
It’s as simple as checking to see if your TV model has a firmware update available. Sometimes these updates are missed, but they are usually done automatically.
First, turn on your Vizio TV and press the Menu button on the remote. After that, select System from the drop-down menu.
Click on Check for Updates if it appears.
The Vizio TV Firmware Upgrade is now available for download.
Now, your TV will automatically start looking for updates.
If there are any software updates available for installation they will be done automatically by your TV.
Make sure to keep your Vizio TV up-to-date with the latest software by performing regular updates.
How to Factory Reset a Vizio TV
The factory reset option is recommended if either of the two steps above fixes your Vizio TV flickering problem, but the problem returns at a later date.
If your Vizio TV has a flickering display, it could be because of a software error. A factory reset of your television can resolve this issue.
- If you have access to a functioning remote control then try this method first (It’s the easiest):
- To access the menu, press the Menu button once the TV has been turned on (you may have briefly powered it up by disconnecting it or removing the remote batteries).
- Click the System option that should be present in the menu.
- Find Reset & Admin and Reset TV to Factory Defaults and then press Reset
Before performing a factory reset, the TV may request a code from the user. If it does, the default code is 0000, which is four zeros.
If you can’t find your remote or it doesn’t work then try performing a factory reset by using the buttons located on the Vizio TV itself.
- Find the Power (which is normally located on the side of the screen) and press it to turn the TV on
- Hold down the Volume and Source buttons
- A few seconds later, the TV will display a message that says Press and hold the input button for a few seconds
- About 10 seconds after pressing the Input button, let go of the button
- The TV will immediately reboot and enter factory reset mode. Rebooting and resetting your TV takes a few minutes.
Once the process is finished, your Vizio TV will return to the settings it had when it was purchased.
Still, having issues? It might be time to call in the professionals…
Contact Vizio Customer Support
Contacting customer support may be necessary if none of the above solutions work for fixing your flickering display.
Vizio customer support is available via text message, internet live chat, and phone.
You can contact customer support at 1(844) 254-8087 if you want to speak with someone directly.
Customer service hours are 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday
On the weekend the hours are 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. CST
You can also try out the Text Support or Live Agent Chat options if you prefer to commicate via typing.
While contacting support may resolve the issue, there may be other problems with your TV that you are unable to resolve on your own.
They can help you by working with you over the phone or by providing instructions on how to send in your TV for repair, if necessary.
Before contacting Vizio, verify that you have a warranty.
When you purchase a TV from Vizo, it comes with a standard one-year warranty.
If you purchased an extended warranty from a retailer like Walmart or Best Buy, verify what the terms and length of that third-party warranty entail.
Other Options (Nothing Has Fixed the Problem)
If you can’t find a solution to your Vizio TV flickering, and your TV is out of the warranty window then you really have two choices:
Purchase a New Vizio TV
If your Vizio TV is out of the warranty window, it may make more sense just to purchase a new television set altogether.
Smart TVs have never been so inexpensive, so you may be able to get a brand new TV that’s larger and has upgraded features for the same price (or less) as repairing your current model.
Repair your Vizio TV
You have the option to send your TV back to Vizio for repair, even if it isn’t covered under the initial warranty.
But a certified repair specialist in your area is most likely the best option.
In order to dismantle something, you must be extremely careful. There are a lot of fragile wire connections and high-powered circuits in the TV that might cause damage (or even electrocution) if you make the wrong move.
This is why we suggest sending your TV back to the factory for repair (even if the warranty has lapsed) or finding a certified TV repair specialist on your own to do the required repairs.
Unless you are highly skilled at electronics repair, we never recommend trying to replace internal parts (like a bad controller card or backlight) yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about troubleshooting your Vizio TV that is flickering 👇
Why is my Vizio TV screen flickering?
The colors and images you see on a Vizio TV are made with LCD technology, which stands for liquid crystal display. Because of this LCD technology, all Vizio TVs need a backlight from a third party. This backlight is often the cause of a flickering screen.
How much does it cost to fix a flickering TV?
The average cost of fixing a TV across the country is $80, but most people spend between $65 and $90. The price is based on the type of TV, how hard the problem is, and how many parts are needed. Companies that fix TVs often pick up and deliver customers’ TVs for a fixed amount.
In Conclusion…
As mentioned previously, your Vizio television may be flickering for a variety of reasons.
Here is a summary of the ways to fix your Vizio TV when it is flickering:
- Check for a malfunctioning backlight
- Adjust your TV’s backlight level
- Check lighting levels of room
- Reset the picture settings
- Check for power issues
- Check for faulty HDMI cable and connections
- Update software
- Factory reset TV
- Contact Vizio customer support
- Purchase a new TV or hire a certified repairman to fix the current unit
Let me know if this managed to help you fix your Vizio television. Leave a comment if you have a different tip or method that helped you get your TV stop flickering!