Why is My VIZIO TV Picture Flickering? (Let’s Fix it Fast!)

Just when you are about to unwind, your VIZIO TV picture flickering starts acting up and ruins your evening.

Well, don’t worry–every smart TV user has encountered this issue at least once.

Fortunately, in most cases, the flickering of the VIZIO TV display is related to something simple, such as an improper TV input or a temporary power supply problem.

This quick guide unwraps everything, so let’s get started.

How to Fix When the VIZIO TV Picture Flickering?

Note: Have you tried a “soft” reboot on your VIZIO TV?

1. Change the Selected TV Input

You can determine if the flickering is TV-related by cycling through all of the available inputs on the VIZIO TV.

If you have multiple third-party devices connected and view each one’s source separately, the flickering may be due to an HDMI problem or a failure with any of your devices.

The VIZIO TV source can be changed like so:

Once you have brought up the source menu, try on each available input where there is a device connected.

Additionally, try launching any online app or media that is installed on the VIZIO TV itself to rule out issues with the input.

Note: ZontSound also recommends temporarily disconnecting all external devices while testing.

2. Power Cycle your VIZIO TV

If the issue was not input-related, then it is almost certainly caused by power insufficiency.

The hardware of your VIZIO TV consists of three main components: 

Well, regardless of which control board is failing, one of the earliest symptoms could be a malfunction of the display, leading to a consistent flickering.

• To power reset the VIZIO TV, unplug the power adapter cord for ~60 seconds.

While the TV is unplugged, inspect the condition of the power components, including the electrical outlet, power port, and, of course, the A/C adapter. 

3. Adjust the VIZIO Lighting Settings

Well, the primary reason for the Vizio TV flickering horizontal lines is a misconfiguration of the ambient lighting settings.

So, the next step is to adjust some essential settings that define the display quality of your VIZIO TV, as this could resolve the flickering quickly and permanently.

Here’s how to access the VIZIO TV ambient lighting settings:

1. Navigate to the “Settings” tab on your VIZIO TV.
2. Access the “Advanced Video Settings” section.
3. Highlight “Ambient Lighting” and press “OK”.

Once you’re in the Ambient Lighting tab, locate these features:

We recommend highlighting each of the settings and temporarily reducing the value or disabling the feature entirely while testing for the screen flickering. 

Tip: You should stop each setting individually to determine if a particular feature is causing the VIZIO TV screen to flicker.

4. Check for a Newer VIZIO System Update

Perhaps, the flickering of your VIZIO TV display might have something to do with the firmware version and the state of the system files.

So, before inspecting for more serious problems, our suggestion is to verify that the TV uses the most current OS.

Here’s how to check for updates on VIZIO TV:

1. Access the “Settings” of the VIZIO TV.
2. Navigate to “Admin & Privacy” below.
3. After that, select “Check for Updates”.
4. Now, wait until the TV finds a newer OS.

In case the update does not start or fails to process all the way, we recommend checking the connection status of the VIZIO TV. 

Tip: You can determine if the VIZIO TV is connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet at “Settings” → “Network”.

5. Allow the VIZIO TV to Cool Down

If the Vizio TV screen flickering persists, then your VIZIO TV might be overheating.

This means that the internal hardware temperatures of the TV have risen above the optimal thermal margin, which causes VIZIO to reduce the performance to maintain stable temperatures.

There are several ways to identify overheating:

If either of these symptoms is present, then your TV’s internal hardware temperatures might be highly elevated.

If so, disconnect the power adapter from the outlet for at least 10 minutes, until the temperatures reach the recommended operating margin.

Long-Term Overheating Solutions:

If the overheating persists, try some of these long-term solutions:

• Clean your TV panels/vents with a lint-free or microfiber cloth.
• Verify the VIZIO TV’s environment is appropriately ventilated.
• Dislocate nearby heat transmitters or direct sunlight on the TV.

All of these should effectively stabilize the temperatures of the TV.

However, in a case where an internal fan has failed and no longer cools down the boards, the only way to tell is to conduct a complete disassembly of the VIZIO unit.

Alternatively, you can get in touch with VIZIO support.

6. Reset the VIZIO TV Picture Mode Settings

If you aren’t confident with the current picture settings configuration of your VIZIO TV, then our recommendation is to revert the settings to the defaults.

You can restore the base value of only the TV’s picture settings, without affecting anything else installed on the storage.

• To reset the VIZIO TV Picture settings, navigate to “Menu” → “Settings” → “Picture Settings” → “More” → “Reset Picture Mode”.

We also recommend testing on several different picture modes before restoring the default graphic values of the TV.

You can specify an alternative picture mode under “Picture Settings”.

7. Reset the VIZIO TV to Default Settings

If nothing so far has restored the normal functionality of the VIZIO TV display, then it is time for a complete factory reset.

The procedure restores the default state of your TV settings and erases underlying glitches that cause the display to flicker.

Depending on your VIZIO TV model, the reset settings can be accessed like so:

• Go to “Menu” → “Admin & Privacy,” and select “Reset to Factory Settings.”
• Navigate to “Menu” → “System” → “Admin & Privacy” → “Reset to Factory Settings”.
• Access “All Settings” → “Admin & Privacy” → “Reset to Factory Settings”.

Now, you will be prompted to input a 4-digit PIN code, which by default is “0000”.

If you have made any changes to the parental lock, the reset code will be different.

8. Conduct a Hardware Inspection of the TV

Well, your VIZIO TV picture flickering may have something to do with the internal hardware components and the three main boards.

As mentioned earlier, the three main boards are the MCU, PB, and the T-Con board, which is by far the most important for a clear picture stream.

⚠️Warning: Accessing the hardware of the VIZIO TV picture results in a permanent warranty void.

Instructions to Access the VIZIO TV Panel:

1. Disconnect the TV and lay it face down on a soft surface.
2. Undo all screws on the back with a Philips screwdriver.
3. Now, pry open the back panel using a plastic opening tool.
4. Access the HW and proceed with component identification.

Once you have accessed the hardware, inspect each of the boards individually and attempt to identify potential underlying faults:

1️⃣Inspect the Power Board:

The power board, often on the left or center, converts AC to DC and powers other components, and might sometimes cause flickering if the display power supply is reduced. 

Check for bulging or bulged/leaking capacitors and look for burn marks or cracked solder joints on the board.

The board is held with ribbon cables, so the uninstallation is by far the easiest, as long as you disconnect the ribbons carefully, without damaging them.

The T-Con board for VIZIO TVs is relatively cheap and can be purchased online through stores such as Amazon or even second-hand on eBay.

2️⃣Inspect the Main Board:

The main board controls video/audio signals and ports, and can often interfere with the functionality of the display.

To inspect the main board, unplug all ribbon cables and carefully detach it from the panel pins. 

Same as with the power board, identify problems with the capacitors and, if necessary, purchase a replacement.

The replacement main board does not have to be coded to work.

3️⃣Inspect the T-Con Board:

The Timing Control Board, or T-Con in short, is located in the center of the panel and regulates the display timing.

Check for ribbon cable damage, burnt capacitors, and if you conclude that a replacement is necessary, it is best to deliver your TV for repairs.

In most cases, a new T-Con board might not start working immediately, as it has to be synchronized with the display refresh rate and other important parameters.

Note: If the issue persists, do not hesitate to deliver the TV for repairs or contact VIZIO support.