Vizio Soundbar Not Responding To Remote? (Fix It Fast)

If the Vizio soundbar not responding to your remote, we have a quick list of solutions to attempt.
The sudden failure of the Vizio soundbar to respond to the remote control is often an indication of worn-out batteries, programming issues, or disrupted line of sight.
We’ve figured out multiple different ways to address this problem:
So, keep reading for a complete walkthrough of the solutions!
Why Is My Vizio Soundbar Not Responding to the Remote When It Cuts Out During Quiet Moments?
Experiencing “vizio sound bar quiet moment issues” can be frustrating, especially when the soundbar cuts out during soft scenes. This could be due to low volume settings, an interference with the remote signal, or power management features. Check your settings and ensure the remote has a strong line of sight to the soundbar.
Vizio Soundbar Not Responding to Remote – Easy Ways to Fix
Tip: Have you tried turning the TV and soundbar Off for several seconds?
1. Perform a Vizio Remote Revamp

Revamping your Vizio remote includes taking out the batteries, fully discharging the hardware, and checking if some of the buttons are stuck.
Well, revamping the remote takes less than 30 seconds and addresses issues with the programming and IR/Bluetooth signal communication.
Here’s how to revamp the Vizio remote in easy steps:
- Uninstall the Vizio remote’s battery compartment cover.
- Take out the battery from inside the remote compartment.
- Press and hold each button on the remote for 5 seconds.
- Put the battery of your remote back into the compartment.
- Verify that the battery is facing the correct polarity springs.
Note: While the batteries are uninstalled, check if each of the remote’s buttons presses correctly and if either of them is stuck.
Replace the Battery of the Vizio Remote!
Most Vizio soundbar remotes take a single 2PCS battery into their battery compartment, but it’s recommended to use the current as an example while searching for a replacement.
However, most batteries of this type should have an imprint of the type and model on the unit’s surface.
Note: 2PCS batteries typically have a mark for the positive and negative poles, relevant to the remote’s compartment.
2. Unplug the Soundbar for 30 Seconds

Perhaps, the Vizio soundbar is not responding to the remote because of a pending problem with the power supply.
You can address any issues with the soundbar by unplugging the device from power and waiting until at least 30 seconds have elapsed.
Follow these steps to properly soft-reset the Vizio soundbar:
- Press and hold the soundbar’s “Power” button for 10 seconds.
- Disconnect the power cord from the back of the Vizio soundbar.
- After that, hold the “Power” button for an additional 15 seconds.
- Next, reconnect the Vizio soundbar to the power supply and test.
How to Inspect Vizio Soundbar for Power Issues?

- Check if the soundbar power cord is connected securely.
- Connect the Vizio soundbar to a different electrical outlet.
- Remove third-party equipment from the soundbar’s setup.
Important: If the rebooting or powering off persists, it’s best to seek professional assistance as it could be a sign of a more severe malfunction.
3. Reprogram the Vizio Remote (Bluetooth)
If the Vizio remote is no longer programmed, the soundbar will not respond to any of the button inputs until further notice.
If the remote control supports Bluetooth connectivity, there’s a simple way to send out a programming request and reconnect the remote.

Here’s how to reprogram a Bluetooth Vizio remote:
- Hold the Bluetooth button on the remote for up to 5 seconds.
- Hold the Bluetooth button on the soundbar for 〜10 seconds.
- Wait until the soundbar’s LED light starts to flash sequentially.
- Check if your remote is paired by pressing the “Power” button.
If the soundbar’s LED indicators do not start to flash, it means there’s a fault with the remote or the Bluetooth mode hasn’t been activated properly.
4. Correct the IR Line of Sight (IR Remote)
Like traditional TV remotes, the remote control of your Vizio soundbar uses an infrared light to communicate.
Any physical obstructions or discrepancies in the direct line of sight will prevent the soundbar from responding to the remote’s inputs.
Dislocate Potential Obstructions

The first step is to ensure there are no obstructions in-between your remote and the soundbar.
Household objects, furniture, or other physical decorations are the primary culprits, as they may seem harmless to the signal at first glance.
Adjust the Communication Angle
The next step is to ensure that the remote and soundbar are leveled. This specifically applies to soundbars that are wall-mounted or far from the remote control.
- The average travel distance of the Vizio remote’s signal is about 30 feet, so the soundbar must remain in that radius.
Clean the IR Sensor and Receiver
In order to communicate effectively, both the remote’s IR sensor and the soundbar’s IR receiver must be free of dust or debris.
If you keep the soundbar in an enclosed space, this could lead to the accumulation of dust and other debris that can interfere with the remote’s signal.
Quick Tip: Try pressing buttons on your remote, while standing right in front of your soundbar.
5. Update the Soundbar’s Firmware Version

If you’re still wondering why the Vizio soundbar not working with remote, it may have something to do with an outdated firmware version.
Fortunately, the remote control is not required for the firmware update, as the procedure is entirely conducted through the VIZIO mobile application.
Follow these simple steps to update the soundbar’s firmware:
- Open the Vizio application on your mobile Android or iPhone.
- Navigate to the Soundbar menu from the page with devices.
- Locate the “Check for Updates” button and follow the steps.
Note: The Vizio soundbar must be securely connected to a Wi-Fi network before updating!
How to Update a Non-Connected Soundbar?
Using a USB flash drive is an alternative to updating the Vizio soundbar through the application.
All you need is the soundbar’s serial number, found on a sticker attached to the bottom panel.

Here’s how to check your non-connected soundbar’s firmware and update it:
- Photo the soundbar’s serial number combination from the sticker.
- Navigate to Vizio’s firmware check page through a phone or a PC.
- Click or tap on the “Get Firmware Data” button below the type field.
- If your soundbar is not up-to-date, press the “Click Here” link below.
- Extend the “Instructions for Updating Using a Thumb Drive” tab.
- Tap on “Click Here to Download the Most Current Firmware Ver.”
- Connect the USB to your PC and extract the zipped file to the folder.
- Next, turn on the soundbar and plug the flash drive into the USB port.
- Wait until your soundbar’s LEDs begin to flash and stop interacting.
Note: The firmware update may take up to 20 full minutes, so do not press any buttons on the remote or unplug the flash drive before the LEDs stop flashing.
6. Restore the Soundbar to Factory Defaults
In case there’s still a fault with the Vizio soundbar and remote control’s communication, it’s time for a factory reset.
There’s a simple 3-step procedure to factory reset the Vizio soundbar, but it will erase all audio configurations and presets on the device, so back up any data you will need.

Here’s how to factory reset the Vizio soundbar easily:
- Disconnect the Vizio soundbar power cord from the rear panel.
- Hold the Power button for 30 seconds to discharge the device.
- Press the “Bluetooth” and “Volume Minus” buttons on the top.
- Keep holding both buttons while reconnecting Vizio’s A/C cord.
- Release both buttons and wait until the soundbar is factory reset.
Notice: The soundbar should become usable shortly after the factory reset is complete, which typically takes anywhere between 25 and 30 seconds.

Finn Wheatley, a Master’s graduate in Computer Science from UCL, London, honed his skills at small data science consultancies. There, he helped large corporations enhance their data capabilities by deploying cutting-edge machine learning analytics and resolving technical hurdles.