VIZIO TV Stuck On Initial Setup Screen? (Easy Fix Inside!)
Nothing is more frustrating than finding out that your new VIZIO TV stuck on initial setup screen, just as you are about to enjoy your first movie night.
Don’t worry–this problem is often caused by software bugs, incomplete updates, or even connection issues during the initial setup of your VIZIO TV.
That’s only the tip of the iceberg–there is much more, so keep reading to resolve the issue!
How to Fix When the VIZIO TV Stuck On Initial Setup Screen?
Note: Have you checked if the VIZIO TV responds to inputs from the remote control?
1. Unplug the VIZIO TV From the Power
Even if the VIZIO TV is halfway through the initial setup, disconnecting it from the power supply will interrupt the process.
When you plug it back in, it may continue or remain stuck indefinitely.
What probably happened is that your TV might have frozen, run into a configuration problem, or sustained connection loss with the VIZIO servers.
This also results in the temporary stuck-up. The best way to solve the issue would be a power cycle.
Press the “Power” button on the remote control for ~3 seconds and unplug the power adapter from the TV and outlet for ~30–40 seconds.
Quick Tip: While waiting for the TV to discharge, check if there is any damage inflicted to the power adapter and verify there are no obstructions to the A/C port on the back of the VIZIO TV.
2. Switch the Selected VIZIO TV Input
A quick way to identify whether the VIZIO TV has frozen is to attempt to alter the input from the supplied remote control or the built-in “Source” button.
Almost 90% of VIZIO TV models have built-in navigation buttons on the side/rear panel, allowing you to use the TV without a remote.
If the VIZIO TV responds to your remote control, the “Inputs” menu should be brought up after pressing either of the “INPUT” buttons.
So, if the menu does appear, test the TV on all available inputs, regardless of whether the initial setup is still in progress.
If the “Inputs” menu does not appear, your TV is stuck!
3. Deregister the VIZIO Remote Control
Long-term VIZIO TV users suggested that in the case of a repeatedly freezing VIZIO TV during the initial setup, reprogramming the remote always helps.
During the initial setup, your VIZIO TV is prompted to load all user logs, and if the remote is not adequately programmed, it could cause the TV to crash/freeze.
Note: You do not require access to the settings of the TV to “clear” the registration of the remote.
Follow these steps to deregister the VIZIO TV remote:
- Verify that the batteries in the remote are functional.
- Hold the “Input” and “Mute” buttons simultaneously.
- Keep holding the buttons for roughly ~10 seconds.
- Release after the remote “eye” shines a red IR light.
- Now, reprogram the remote by pressing any buttons.
Once the remote control is successfully registered, press the “Power” button to check if the TV shuts down.
If it does, then the reprogramming was a success, and you can test other buttons.
4. Inspect the Power Supply of the TV
In case the VIZIO TV is stuck on the setup screen even after resetting the remote connection, then the issue is almost certainly with the power supply.
Well, only insufficiency of the A/C supply could cause the TV to freeze halfway through configuring your system settings, during an initial setup.
Note: Power supply issues could also cause the VIZIO TV to reboot persistently!
We have prepared a thorough guide for inspecting the TV power!
4.1 – Power Source Inspection:
Start by verifying that the power source of the VIZIO TV delivers a sufficient amount of power.
We recommend attempting to undergo the VIZIO initial setup while the TV is connected to an alternative outlet, or testing another electrical appliance on the current outlet.
4.2 – Power Cable Inspection:
Most VIZIO TVs use a standard 2-prong 12–24V power adapter, which is compatible with most devices of this power class.
You can either test the TV’s power cable with another device or use a multimeter on the cable while one end is connected to a functional electrical outlet.
4.3 – Third-Party Equipment:
Using any type of third-party equipment with your VIZIO TV always carries a risk, as the power is prompted to travel through the multiple capacitors of a wall outlet, strip, or divider.
Our advice is to connect the VIZIO TV directly to a power socket and attempt to undergo the initial setup.
Note: Power supply issues could also be caused by a failure of the internal hardware components. For such inquiries, get in touch with VIZIO customer support.
5. Reset the VIZIO TV to Factory Settings
Well, even if the initial setup is not yet complete, the VIZIO TV has already been configured with particular system and user settings, which might have led to the sudden freeze.
Fortunately, you can restore the default settings of your VIZIO TV without accessing the settings television menu.
Follow these steps to reset the VIZIO TV to factory defaults:
- First, verify the TV is connected to the power supply.
- Locate the Volume Down and Input/Source button.
- Hold both buttons for approximately ~10 seconds.
- Release after a reset message shows on the screen.
Once the VIZIO TV has displayed the reset message, it will power off in less than ~20 seconds and begin the reset shortly.
Do not press any buttons on the remote or the TV before the factory reset has finalized, and the initial setup has restarted.
When ready, try to set up your VIZIO TV from scratch!
6. Verify the VIZIO TV is Not Overheating
Before searching for further help, another thing you must verify is whether the TV is overheating or has overheated during the initial setup.
Using the TV in a non-well-ventilated room or space might have triggered the so-called “Emergency” mode, causing the TV to automatically turn off.
Often, signs of overheating include:
To prevent overheating, try this:
⚠️Warning: Prolonged overheating of the TV hardware might cause irreversible damage to the internal components.
7. Long-Unplug the VIZIO TV
If you still have no idea why the VIZIO TV is stuck on the initial setup screen, then you could try one last thing before seeking professional assistance.
The long-unplug is a helpful resolution for any issues with the TV, especially if the problem is power or heat-related.
So, disconnect the VIZIO TV overnight or at least for a solid 2–3 hours and check if it can complete the initial setup afterwards.
If the TV keeps getting stuck halfway through, it’s probably a severe software or hardware issue!
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.
