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How To Reset A Vizio TV Without A Remote (Step-By-Step)

If you’re having issues with your Vizio Smart TV but can’t find your remote control, you’re in the right place.

We’ll cover the easiest way to reset your Vizio TV without a remote control.

How To Reset Vizio TV Without Remote

Before performing a hard reset, you’ll want to soft reset your Vizio TV, which doesn’t remove any data from the device. To begin this power cycle, unplug your television from the power outlet for an entire minute, then press and hold the button for 30 seconds while it’s unplugged. Plug the television back in, turn it on, and the soft reset should’ve worked.

If you’re still having issues, you may need to repeat this process a couple of times, and if that doesn’t work, try the hard reset options below.

Vizio SmartCast App

For anybody with a smartphone or tablet handy, this will be the easiest option.

Vizio has an app called SmartCast, for Android or iOS devices, which allows you to control your television without needing a remote control.

Vizio SmartCast App for mobile devices.

Here’s how to use it to reset your TV:

  1. Download and install SmartCast onto your device.
  2. Open the SmartCast app and enter your login details for Vizio.
  3. Search for nearby devices and click on your TV.
  4. After you click it, you will see a code on your TV.
  5. Enter the code into the SmartCast app to complete the connection.
  6. Now, you can use your smartphone or tablet as a remote control replacement.
  7. Do the following: Settings > System > Reset and Admin > Reset TV to Factory Defaults.
  8. If you’re asked for a code, enter 0000.
  9. Your Vizio Smart TV will restart, deleting any data, applications, and settings you previously had.
  10. Congratulations, you just reset your Vizio TV without a remote control.

Using Just The Television

Another option is to hard reset your Vizio TV using the buttons on the television.

This process requires physical buttons on your television, which most Vizio’s have, but there are a few exceptions.

Power button on the back of a Vizio TV.

Here’s how to hard reset your Vizio TV:

  1. Turn on the TV using the power button on the back.
  2. Once it’s on, press the input and volume down buttons simultaneously for 15 seconds to reset it.
  3. Press the INPUT button for 10 seconds after being asked to.
  4. The TV will restart and reset after that with factory settings.

NOTE: Resetting your TV with the volume down and input buttons may not work the first time. You may need to try a few times to get it right.

You’ll eventually receive a message on the television saying, “Memory is being cleared. The display will reset shortly.” After that, you’ll be prompted to set up the television.

This will only take a few minutes, but it will reset all of your settings back to the factory defaults and should fix any issues you’re having.

If you’re still having issues, try plugging in a USB mouse and keyboard to the TV to set up the television again.

Replacement Remote Control

Another option is to buy a replacement remote control from the store.

You’ll want to pick up a universal remote and make sure it works with Vizio TVs before purchasing (almost all of them do).

Then, set it up using the instructions provided.

Once you have the remote connected, do the following to hard reset the television:

  1. Settings > System > Reset and Admin > Reset TV to Factory Defaults.
  2. If you’re asked for a code, enter 0000.
  3. Your Vizio Smart TV will restart, deleting any data, applications, and settings you previously had.
  4. Congratulations, you just reset your Vizio TV.

Optionally if you didn’t lose your remote control, you can try to fix your Vizio remote using this step-by-step guide.

Conclusion 

Multiple options exist to hard reset your Vizio TV without a remote control.

It’s recommended to do the soft reset (power-cycle) first before moving onto the following hard reset options:

  • Vizio SmartCast App
  • Using Just The Television
  • Replacement Remote Control

Hope this article helped you reset your Vizio Smart TV!