If you own a Vizio sound bar you may have encountered a problem where it starts flashing white lights. This can be annoying and frustrating especially when you want to enjoy your favorite movies or music. But don’t worry there are some easy ways to fix this issue and get your sound bar working properly again.
In this article we will explain why your Vizio sound bar may be flashing white lights and how to troubleshoot and resolve the problem. We will also provide some tips to prevent this issue from happening again in the future.
Key Takeaways
- A flashing white light on your Vizio sound bar can indicate a problem with your settings connection or software update.
- To fix the issue you can try resetting your sound bar to its factory settings adjusting the audio input turning off the demo mode or checking the power source and cables.
- To prevent the issue from happening again you can update your sound bar firmware avoid interference from other devices and place your sound bar properly.
Why Is My Vizio Sound Bar Flashing White Lights?
A flashing white light on your Vizio sound bar can have different meanings depending on the model and situation. Here are some common causes of this problem:
| Cause | Meaning |
| Connection issues | The sound bar is trying to pair with another device or has lost the connection. |
| Settings issues | The sound bar is switching to the selected mode or input or has a problem with its memory or software. |
| Demo mode | The sound bar is showcasing its features and functions. |
| Software update | The sound bar is updating its firmware or has failed or interrupted the update. |
- Connection issues: If your sound bar is a Bluetooth model it may flash white lights when it is trying to pair with another device or when it loses the connection. This can happen if the device is out of range low on battery or turned off.
- Settings issues: If your sound bar has different audio modes or inputs it may flash white lights when you change them using the remote or the buttons on the sound bar. This is normal and indicates that the sound bar is switching to the selected mode or input. However if the sound bar keeps flashing white lights without changing the settings it may indicate a problem with the sound bar memory or software.
- Demo mode: Some Vizio sound bars have a demo mode that showcases their features and functions. This mode can be activated by pressing and holding certain buttons on the sound bar or the remote. When the demo mode is on the sound bar will flash white lights and play different sounds. This can be confusing and annoying if you don’t know how to turn it off.
- Software update: Some Vizio sound bars have a firmware that can be updated via USB or Wi-Fi. When the sound bar is updating its firmware it may flash white lights to indicate the progress of the update. This is normal and should stop once the update is complete. However if the update fails or gets interrupted the sound bar may flash white lights continuously and become unresponsive.
How To Fix Vizio Sound Bar Flashing White Lights?
If your Vizio sound bar is flashing white lights and not working properly there are some solutions that you can try to fix it. Here are some methods that might help:
Method 1: Reset Your Sound Bar To Factory Settings
One of the easiest ways to fix your Vizio sound bar is to reset it to its factory settings. This will erase all your custom preferences and settings and restore the sound bar to its original state. To do this you can follow any of these steps depending on your model:
| Model | Steps |
| SB3651-E6 | Press and hold the Bluetooth and Volume Down buttons on the sound bar for about 5 seconds until all LED lights flash three times. |
| SB3621n-E8 | Press and hold the Input and Volume Up buttons on the sound bar for about 5 seconds until all LED lights flash three times. |
| SB3821-C6 | Press and hold the Volume Down and Input buttons on the sound bar for about 5 seconds until all LED lights flash three times. |
| SB3851-D0 | Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons on the sound bar for about 10 seconds until all LED lights flash three times. |
Alternatively you can also reset your sound bar by turning it off unplugging it from the power source for about 10 seconds and plugging it back in.
Method 2: Adjust The Audio Input
Another possible solution is to adjust the audio input of your sound bar. Sometimes the sound bar may not detect or switch to the correct audio source that is connected to it. This can cause no sound or flashing white lights. To fix this you can try these steps:
- Make sure that your audio source (such as TV DVD player game console etc.) is turned on and connected to your sound bar via HDMI optical RCA or AUX cable.
- Press the Input button on your sound bar or remote repeatedly until you see or hear the audio source that you want.
- If you are using a Bluetooth device as an audio source make sure that it is paired with your sound bar. To do this press and hold the Bluetooth button on your sound bar or remote until you hear a beep or see a blue light. Then go to the Bluetooth settings on your device and select your sound bar from the list of available devices.
Method 3: Turn Off The Demo Mode
If your sound bar is flashing white lights and playing different sounds it may be in the demo mode. This mode is designed to showcase the features and functions of your sound bar but it can be annoying if you don’t know how to turn it off. To do this you can try these steps:
- Press and hold the Input button on your sound bar or remote for about 5 seconds until you hear a beep or see a green light.
- Alternatively you can also press and hold the Bluetooth and Volume Up buttons on your sound bar for about 5 seconds until you hear a beep or see a green light.
Method 4: Check The Power Source And Cables
Sometimes the problem may be caused by a faulty power source or cable. If your sound bar is not getting enough power or has a loose connection it may flash white lights or not work at all. To fix this you can try these steps:
- Make sure that your sound bar is plugged into a working power outlet and that the power cord is not damaged or frayed.
- Make sure that the audio cables that connect your sound bar to your audio source are not damaged or loose. Try using different cables or ports if possible.
- Make sure that the HDMI cable that connects your sound bar to your TV supports ARC (Audio Return Channel) if you are using this feature. ARC allows you to control the sound bar volume and input using your TV remote. To use ARC you need to connect your sound bar to the HDMI ARC port on your TV and enable the ARC setting on both devices.
How To Prevent Vizio Sound Bar Flashing White Lights?
If you have fixed your Vizio sound bar flashing white lights issue you may want to prevent it from happening again in the future. Here are some tips that can help you avoid this problem:
- Update your sound bar firmware regularly. Some Vizio sound bars have a firmware that can be updated via USB or Wi-Fi. Updating your firmware can improve the performance and compatibility of your sound bar and fix any bugs or glitches that may cause flashing white lights. To update your firmware you can follow the instructions on the Vizio website1 or in your user manual2.
- Avoid interference from other devices. If your sound bar is located near other electronic devices like routers modems microwaves etc. it may experience interference that can affect its connection and function. Try moving your sound bar away from these devices or use a different frequency band for your Wi-Fi network if possible.
- Place your sound bar properly. The placement of your sound bar can affect its sound quality and performance. For optimal results you should place your sound bar in front of your TV at least 1 inch away from the edge of the TV stand. You should also avoid placing any objects in front of or behind the sound bar that may block its speakers or vents.
- Sure I can create two tables for the article to break up the walls of text. Here are the tables that I have created:
| Tip | Explanation |
| Update your sound bar firmware regularly | This can improve the performance and compatibility of your sound bar and fix any bugs or glitches. |
| Avoid interference from other devices | This can affect the connection and function of your sound bar. |
| Place your sound bar properly | This can affect the sound quality and performance of your sound bar. |
How do I know if my Vizio sound bar is in demo mode?
To know if your Vizio sound bar is in demo mode you can try the following methods:
1. Physical sound bar: On the physical sound bar (not the remote) press and hold down the “Bluetooth” and “Volume Down” buttons until the LED lights on the sound bar stop flashing
2. Input and Bluetooth buttons: Simultaneously push the “Input” and “Bluetooth” buttons on your sound bar and hold them in place for around ten seconds. Wait until all of your device’s LEDs flash four times. This should get your sound bar to work in normal mode
3. SmartCast app: If you have downloaded the SmartCast Vizio Soundbar App you can disable the demo mode via the app. If not you can try pressing and holding both the “Input” and “Bluetooth” buttons for 10 seconds. All of the LED lights should flash four times. If the lights do not flash you may be in demo mode.
Once you have disabled demo mode you can reset your Vizio sound bar to its factory settings by simultaneously pressing and holding both the “Bluetooth” and “Down Volume” buttons for 15 seconds. All of the LED display lights will flash off and on three times. Once the lights stop flashing the sound bar has been reset.
What should I do if the volume button on my Vizio sound bar is not working?
If the volume button on your Vizio sound bar is not working you can try the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Check the audio settings: Make sure that your soundbar is selected as the primary audio output device in your device settings. This can be done on most devices by going to Settings > Sound > Output and selecting your soundbar.
2. Check the connections: Depending on when you purchased them Vizio’s soundbars use HDMI or Digital Audio ports to get the audio signal from the TV. Make sure that the cables are properly connected and not damaged.
3. Soft reset: To soft reset your Vizio sound bar just unplug it from the wall hold the Power button for 30 seconds and plug it back in.
4. Hard reset: A hard reset will reset the sound bar to factory settings. This erases all custom settings that you’ve set up. To restore your Vizio soundbar to its original factory settings press and hold the Bluetooth and Volume Down buttons for 5 seconds. The soundbar will restore it to the factory settings and any settings you may have will be lost.
5. Contact Vizio: If none of the above steps work you can contact Vizio for further assistance. They can bring the device in if it requires any repair or send a technician to your home if they can’t seem to fix the issue over the phone.
How long should I hold the Bluetooth button and volume down key to do a factory reset on my Vizio sound bar?
To do a factory reset on your Vizio sound bar you need to press and hold the Bluetooth button and volume down key simultaneously for approximately five seconds. Once the reset is successful all the LED lights on the soundbar will blink three times. It is important to note that a factory reset will erase all your personal settings including all the preferences that were saved on your soundbar. Therefore make sure you want to do this before proceeding with the reset.