Vizio Subwoofer Not Found? (Here’s The Easy Fix!)

Is your Vizio subwoofer not found, and the pairing was unsuccessful? Well, we’ve got you covered!

The Vizio soundbar and subwoofer use a private wireless frequency for detection and connect either automatically or manually.

If the pairing has failed, the issue is possibly related to a power insufficiency, improper pairing, or an outdated soundbar OS.

These are the best solutions to approach the problem:

So, proceed with the guide to learn how to apply these solutions!

Vizio Subwoofer Not Found – 6 Quick & Working Solutions!

Tip: Have you made sure that the Vizio soundbar is connected to your TV properly?

1. Conduct the Pairing Properly

Improper completion of the pairing procedure will prevent the Vizio soundbar from detecting and connecting with the Vizio subwoofer.

There are particular requirements to fulfill prior to initiating the pairing, guaranteeing that the devices will connect successfully, and avoid all of this trouble.

1.1 Vizio Subwoofer and Soundbar Pairing Tips:

Ensure the following requirements are met before pairing the subwoofer:

• The subwoofer is within a 5-foot radius of the soundbar.
• There aren’t any physical obstructions blocking the signal.
• Both the Vizio subwoofer and soundbar are AC-supplied.

Note: If there are no visual indications that either of the devices is on, you have to inspect the power supply and verify that the power cord is connected securely.

1.2 How to Pair Vizio Subwoofer and Soundbar?

1. Hold the “Pairing” or “Link” button on the subwoofer’s back.
2. Hold the “Power” button on the soundbar unit for 5 seconds.
3. Once both devices are in “Pairing” mode, wait ~15 seconds.

The average time it takes for the devices to detect and connect with each other tends to be less than ~10 seconds.

If the pairing fails or takes longer than that, go ahead and proceed reading!

2. Soft-Reset Subwoofer & Soundbar

If the standard pairing procedure does not connect the Vizio subwoofer, there could be a power supply issue with either of the devices.

The power cycle is a strongly effective solution against temporal insufficiencies of the power supply that could initially lead to pairing issues or delays.

2.1 How to Power Cycle Vizio Soundbar?

1. Hold the “Power” button on the soundbar for 10 seconds.
2. Unplug the power adapter from the soundbar’s rear panel.
3. Next, disconnect the other end from the supplying outlet.
4. Wait for ~30 seconds while the power cable is unplugged.
5. Reinstall the power adapter on both ends and retry pairing.

2.2 How to Power Cycle Vizio Subwoofer?

1. Unplug the Vizio subwoofer from the A/C power supply.
2. Hold the “Pair” button on the rear panel for 10 seconds.
3. Wait for 30 seconds until the residue power discharges.
4. Reconnect your subwoofer to the power supply and test.

Note: The power cycle will only take effect if all of the leftover residue power drains completely!

3. Address Wireless/Physical Interference

One of the reasons why the subwoofer is not found is due to an aerial (wireless) or physical signal conflict.

Both wireless devices and physical obstructions could conflict with the signal of the Vizio soundbar/subwoofer and interrupt the pairing procedure or greatly delay it.

3.1 How to Check for Physical Interference?

First, ensure that the distance between the subwoofer and soundbar is less than 5 feet and that there are no solid obstructions in between, such as furniture or furnishings.

So, even though the Vizio devices use a Bluetooth-like frequency, ensure there’s a direct line of sight to be confident.

3.2 How to Check for Wireless Interference?

Ensure there are no other wireless devices in a 10–15-foot radius from the Vizio subwoofer or soundbar during the pairing.

Any devices that transmit Bluetooth, cellular, or radio frequency signals can potentially interfere with the pairing process of the Vizio devices and stop the pairing.

4. Update the Vizio Soundbar’s Firmware

An outdated firmware of the Vizio soundbar could initially cause a pairing problem with the subwoofer.

There are two ways to update a Vizio soundbar, based on whether the device is registered or not.

A registered (or non-connected) soundbar has an expired warranty and does not receive automatic updates from Vizio.

4.1 How to Update a Connected Vizio Soundbar?

1. Open the VIZIO Mobile App on the smartphone device.
2. Navigate to the “Devices” page and locate the soundbar.
3. Tap on “Check for Updates” and wait for OS validation.
4. Optional: Press “Update” to install a new soundbar OS.

4.2 How to Update a Non-Connected Vizio Soundbar?

1. Acquire your soundbar’s serial number from the bottom panel.
2. Navigate to Vizio’s Firmware Data page on your PC or laptop.
3. Type down the serial number in the provided firmware data bar.
4. Wait until the soundbar’s OS is validated and install a new OS.
5. Copy the firmware file from the PC to a USB 2.0/3.0 flash drive.
6. Connect the thumb drive to your soundbar’s USB port and wait.

Once the flash drive is connected, Vizio the soundbar should automatically begin updating after several seconds.

Do not unplug the power adapter or press any keys on the remote/soundbar before the update is complete.

5. Inspect the Subwoofer for Power Issues

Potential power issues could cause the Vizio sound bar subwoofer not found error.

So, the next step is to double-check the subwoofer’s power supply, along with all cables involved.

You need to ensure the Vizio subwoofer receives constant and uninterrupted electricity from the socket.

Here’s what to check to ensure the Vizio subwoofer receives power:

• Connect the Vizio subwoofer to an A/C different outlet.
• Verify there aren’t any obstructions to the power ports.
• Remove third-party power devices from the Vizio setup.
• Check if there are visible signs of power cord damage.
• Optional: Use a different cable to test your subwoofer.

Your Vizio subwoofer uses a standard 2-prong power adapter and these are really easy to come across.

If you have another device/appliance in your home using the same adapter, feel free to test it on the Vizio subwoofer.

6. Factory Reset the Vizio Soundbar

You can eliminate all issues with the soundbar by forcing a factory restoration of the device’s system.

It takes less than 20 seconds for the soundbar’s settings to clear, which will reset the operating system and hopefully resolve the pairing process problem with the Vizio subwoofer.

Here’s how to perform a factory reset on the Vizio soundbar:

1. Hold the “Power” button on the soundbar for 30 seconds.
2. Next, press the “Bluetooth” and “Volume Down” buttons.
3. Release the buttons after 5 seconds and wait for the LED.
4. Wait for an average of 20 seconds until the reset finishes.

How to Set Up Vizio Soundbar After Reset?

After the reset is complete, all of the soundbar’s settings will be restored to defaults.

You can begin the initial setup by assigning an Equalizer preset and following any of the necessary instructions to restore the audio output.