Vizio TV Stuck On Downloading Update? (Possible Causes & Fixes)
Anyone familiar with computers and software knows the frustration of updates. Computer-driven smart TVs like the Vizio are no different. Manufacturers routinely put out updates to TV firmware to bring enhanced operations and new features to TVs. However, you may experience your Vizio TV getting stuck during the download process.
If your Vizio TV gets stuck during a download, you can try performing a soft reset to restore normal operations. If a soft reset fails, it may resort to power cycling your Vizio TV. One other issue that can cause a Vizio TV to stick during a download is poor or non-existent internet service to your TV.
Diagnosing and fixing a Vizio TV that is stuck during a download can be frustrating and time-consuming. Our recommendation is to follow a sequential set of steps to avoid overlooking a possible problem. Always begin with the source of the most common issues that can cause stuck downloads.
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From the Obvious to the Unknown
We try to solve problems by moving from the most obvious or most common problem to the least likely possibility. Often this provides a solution before the more difficult and rare issues need to be addressed. Assuming we want to get our Vizio TV operating normally with the least effort, this just makes sense.
Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection
Downloading depends on a good internet connection to be successful. If your internet service is weak or sporadic, it may cause problems with your Vizio TV getting stuck in a download loop. Download problems are often seen when wireless internet connections are used.
Wireless internet services can be affected by interference from other radio devices. Distance to the wireless router can also affect the service to your Vizio TV. Some installers recommend connecting your Vizio TV to your router with a CAT5 cable instead of a wireless connection to avoid these problems.
The further your Vizio TV is from the router, the more likely you will have connection issues with the wireless system. In some cases, a wireless extender may be necessary to boost the signal from your wireless router enough to make a good connection.
Step 2: Reboot Your Router
Before starting to diagnose problems with your Vizio TV, take a few minutes and reboot your wireless router. The easiest way to reboot your wireless router is to simply unplug the power supply to the router. Wait for a few minutes for the router to power down, then plug the power supply back in. It may take several minutes for the wireless router to reestablish links to your internet provider and to all your wireless devices.
Step 3: Restart Your TV
If you are sure that you have a reliable and strong internet connection, restart your Vizio TV. Turn the TV off and then back on. In most cases, you must restart the download. Sometimes the download will pick up where it left off. Other times it will start from the beginning of the download.
Step 4: Perform a Power Reset on your Vizio TV
Even when your Vizio TV is off, it continues to draw electrical current to maintain certain memory portions and settings inside the TV. It may be necessary to do a reboot or power reset on your Vizio TV to clear those memories and unstick the download.
To power reset your Vizio TV, follow these instructions.
- Turn your Vizio TV off using the remote control or the power button on the TV
- Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. Take this opportunity to examine the power cord. If the power cord shows any signs of wear, overheating or damage, you should replace the power cord before you go any further.
- Wait for one to three minutes before plugging the power cable back into the outlet. Make sure the plug fits snuggly into the outlet. This is a good time to check the other end of the cable to ensure it is firmly inserted into the TV.
- Wait for a few more minutes before powering up your Vizio TV to give the electronic components time to reconfigure themselves.
- Check to see if your Vizio TV will continue or restart the download without problems.
There is one downside to doing a power reset on your Vizio TV. After the reset, you must re-enter all your usernames and passwords and change any special settings. When successful, a power reset will erase all these settings and return your Visio TV to factory settings.
Step 5: Initiating an Update Download Manually
Vizio typically pushes updates to their TVs automatically when the TV is turned off. Many other manufacturers require manual updates for firmware releases. Automatic push updates ensure that, provided your Vizio TV is connected to the internet, that it always has the latest firmware updates installed.
However, suppose you have had trouble with a download getting stuck. In that case, you can manually request a firmware update from your Vizio TV. These instructions should get your TV updated to the latest firmware.
- Press the V key on your Vizio remote control. A new menu should show on your Vizio screen.
- Choose SETTINGS from the menu on the screen.
- On the next screen, select the option CHECK FOR UPDATES. Your VIZIO should begin to search the Vizio website for firmware updates for your model TV.
- Follow the instructions that show on the screen of your Vizio TV. If your Vizio TV finds updates available, it may give you a choice of which ones to install. Make your selections, and then start the download. It may take several minutes for the download to complete and the installation to finish.
- If the updates and installation complete successfully, you should get a SUCCESS screen. Your Vizio TV may restart itself before showing the SUCCESS screen.
It is rare for a firmware update to need a manual installation. Providing your internet connection is reasonably good, you should be happily unaware that a firmware update has taken place while your TV is turned off.
Step 6: Contact a Vizio Service Technician
If these steps fail to unstick a download on your Vizio TV, more than likely, you have an internal problem. A Vizio-trained service technician can test and diagnose problems with the electronic components of your Vizio TV.
This is an especially important step if your Vizio TV is still under warranty. Trying to perform any other maintenance or repair can void your warranty and leave you with expensive repair bills.
How Do I Know If My Vizio TV has the Most Up-to-date Firmware?
The easiest way to know if your Vizio TV has the latest firmware installed is to perform a manual firmware update as described above. If your Vizio firmware is up to date, the download system will tell you. Otherwise, the system will queue the needed updates and ask you to authorize the downloads and installation.
My Vizio TV Turns on and Off Over and Over After an Update
A problem with the update download or installation can cause your Vizio TV to get stuck in an on/off cycle. This is a rare condition but does happen from time to time, usually because of internet problems.
The quick and simple fix is to unplug your Vizio TV from the wall outlet. Leave the TV unplugged for a few minutes and then plug the power cable back into the outlet. In most cases, your TV should operate normally. However, you may need to repeat the download to ensure that you have the latest firmware installed.
How Does the Vizio Smart Update Work?
Almost all electronic devices depend on some sort of firmware to operate. From your smart TV to your smartphone, the firmware is the heart of the device. Manufacturers routinely issue firmware updates as new features are introduced or bugs in the system are found and corrected.
Like the smartphone that typically gets updates without you knowing it is happening, Vizio automatically pushes updates to your TV. Even when your TV is powered off, it isn’t really off. Some small part of the firmware is awake and listening to the internet. When it receives a signal from Vizio that an update is coming, the firmware wakes up and prepares to receive the new software.
The Vizio smart updater does this only when it senses that the TV is turned off. This prevents the updates from interfering with your entertainment. If you turn on the TV while an update is in progress, the update routine will normally wait until the TV is turned off. The update routine will restart and complete the firmware installation.
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Staying Up to Date and Operational
Having the latest firmware updates on your Vizio TV is important for your TV to operate at peak performance. No system is perfect, and even the Vizio automatic update can have problems. In most cases, these problems are easily remedied. It is in your best interests to make sure that the firmware on your Vizio TV is the latest available.
Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. He worked in the trades part-time while serving as an active firefighter. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years.
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