How to Turn On Bluetooth on Vizio TV [Easy Guide]

Have you just purchased a new Vizio TV and found yourself wondering if you can connect your wireless headphones or speakers to it? Or perhaps you‘ve owned your Vizio for a while but never explored its wireless connectivity options? You‘re not alone. The question "Do Vizio TVs have Bluetooth?" is one of the most common queries among Vizio owners.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about Bluetooth functionality on Vizio TVs. You‘ll discover which models support Bluetooth, how to check if your TV has this feature, and step-by-step instructions for turning it on and connecting your favorite devices.

Do Vizio TVs Have Bluetooth?

The short answer is: it depends on your model. Vizio has produced numerous TV models over the years, and their Bluetooth capabilities vary significantly.

The Evolution of Bluetooth in Vizio TVs

Vizio‘s journey with Bluetooth technology has evolved considerably over the past decade:

• Pre-2016: Most Vizio TVs manufactured before 2016 did not include any Bluetooth functionality. These older models relied exclusively on infrared remote controls and wired connections for audio devices.

• 2016-2018: Vizio introduced SmartCast TVs with Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) capabilities. This was primarily implemented to support the SmartCast mobile app for remote control functionality, but did not support connecting audio devices directly.

• 2018-Present: Newer Vizio models began incorporating full Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to connect wireless headphones, speakers, and other audio devices directly to the TV.

This evolution reflects the broader industry trend toward wireless connectivity and the growing consumer demand for flexible audio options.

Vizio TV Models with Standard Bluetooth

Most newer Vizio Smart TVs (2018 and later) come equipped with standard Bluetooth connectivity. These include:

These TVs allow you to connect various Bluetooth devices directly, including headphones, speakers, soundbars, and gaming controllers.

Vizio TV Models with Bluetooth Low Energy (LE)

Some older Vizio models (particularly those from 2016-2018) feature Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) rather than standard Bluetooth:

Bluetooth LE is designed primarily for connecting to the SmartCast mobile app and certain remote controls. It uses less power than standard Bluetooth but has limitations—you cannot directly connect audio devices like headphones or speakers to TVs with only Bluetooth LE.

Vizio TV Models Without Bluetooth

Older Vizio TVs (pre-2016) typically don‘t have any form of Bluetooth connectivity:

For these TVs, you‘ll need to explore alternative solutions, which I‘ll cover later in this article.

Understanding Bluetooth Types in Vizio TVs

Standard Bluetooth vs. Bluetooth LE: Technical Comparison

While both technologies use the same radio frequency spectrum (2.4 GHz), they serve different purposes and have distinct technical specifications:

Standard Bluetooth in Vizio TVs typically uses Bluetooth 4.2 or 5.0 specifications, providing:

• Support for A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) for stereo audio streaming
• AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) for device control
• HID (Human Interface Device) profile for keyboards and game controllers
• Typical range of 30-100 feet depending on environmental factors

Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) in Vizio TVs:

• Uses significantly less power
• Designed for intermittent data transfer rather than continuous streaming
• Perfect for remote control applications via the SmartCast app
• Cannot handle the bandwidth requirements of audio streaming

This distinction is crucial because if your Vizio TV only has Bluetooth LE, you won‘t be able to connect audio devices directly without additional hardware.

Bluetooth Audio Codecs Supported by Vizio TVs

Vizio TVs with standard Bluetooth typically support the following audio codecs:

The codec used depends on both your TV model and the capabilities of your connected Bluetooth device, with the system automatically selecting the highest quality codec supported by both devices.

How to Check if Your Vizio TV Has Bluetooth

Before attempting to connect Bluetooth devices to your Vizio TV, you should verify whether it has Bluetooth capabilities. Here are several methods to check:

Method 1: Check the TV Settings Menu

1. Press the "Menu" button on your Vizio remote
2. Navigate to "System" or "Settings"
3. Look for "Bluetooth" or "Bluetooth Settings"

If you see these options, your TV likely has standard Bluetooth. If not, it either has only Bluetooth LE or no Bluetooth at all.

Method 2: Check the TV Manual

Your TV‘s user manual will list all available features, including Bluetooth connectivity:

1. Find your model number (usually on the back of the TV or in the system information menu)
2. Visit Vizio‘s support website (support.vizio.com)
3. Enter your model number in the search field
4. Download the user manual and search for "Bluetooth"

Method 3: Check System Information

1. Press the "Menu" button on your remote
2. Navigate to "System" or "Help"
3. Select "System Information" or "About"
4. Look for Bluetooth in the list of features or specifications

Method 4: Check the SmartCast Mobile App

If your TV works with the SmartCast app but you don‘t see Bluetooth audio options in the TV menu, you likely have a model with only Bluetooth LE.

Method 5: Model Number Decoding

Vizio model numbers contain information about the TV‘s features. Here‘s how to decode them:

For example, in model P65Q9-H1:

• P = Series (P-Series)
• 65 = Screen size (65 inches)
• Q = Quantum Color
• 9 = Model year (2019)
• H1 = Version

Models with these prefixes typically include standard Bluetooth:

• P (P-Series, 2018+)
• PQ (P-Series Quantum, 2018+)
• PQX (P-Series Quantum X, 2019+)
• M (M-Series, 2019+)
• MQ (M-Series Quantum, 2019+)
• OLED (All years)
• V (V-Series, 2019+)

How to Turn On Bluetooth on Vizio TV

If you‘ve confirmed your Vizio TV has standard Bluetooth, here‘s how to turn it on:

For Newer Vizio SmartCast TVs (2018 and Later)

1. Press the "Menu" button on your remote
2. Navigate to "Settings"
3. Select "Network & Accessories" or "Mobile Devices"
4. Choose "Bluetooth Settings" or "Bluetooth Devices"
5. Toggle Bluetooth to "On"

Your TV is now in discovery mode and ready to pair with Bluetooth devices.

For Vizio TVs with SmartCast (2016-2018)

If your TV only has Bluetooth LE:

1. Download the Vizio SmartCast app on your mobile device
2. Open the app and follow the setup instructions
3. Select your TV from the list of available devices
4. Complete the pairing process

Remember, with Bluetooth LE, you can control the TV via the app but cannot directly connect audio devices.

Bluetooth Settings Explained

When you access the Bluetooth settings on your Vizio TV, you‘ll typically see these options:

Understanding these settings will help you manage your Bluetooth connections more effectively.

Connecting Bluetooth Devices to Your Vizio TV

How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones or Earbuds

For TVs with standard Bluetooth:

1. Put your headphones in pairing mode (consult your headphones‘ manual for specific instructions)
2. On your Vizio TV, press the "Menu" button
3. Navigate to "Settings" > "Network & Accessories" or "Mobile Devices"
4. Select "Bluetooth Settings" or "Bluetooth Devices"
5. Choose "Add Device" or "Pair New Device"
6. Select your headphones from the list of available devices
7. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the pairing

Once connected, audio from your TV should play through your headphones. You can typically adjust the volume using either your TV remote or the controls on your headphones.

Compatibility Chart: Popular Headphones with Vizio TVs

How to Connect a Bluetooth Speaker or Soundbar

The process is similar to connecting headphones:

1. Put your speaker or soundbar in pairing mode
2. On your Vizio TV, navigate to Bluetooth settings
3. Select "Add Device" or "Pair New Device"
4. Choose your speaker or soundbar from the list
5. Complete the pairing process

For optimal audio quality, make sure your speaker is within 30 feet of the TV and there are no major obstacles between them.

Best Practices for Bluetooth Speaker Placement

• Distance: Keep within 15-30 feet for optimal connection
• Line of sight: Minimize obstacles between TV and speaker
• Interference: Keep away from microwave ovens, wireless routers, and cordless phones
• Multiple speakers: If connecting multiple Bluetooth speakers, keep them at similar distances from the TV

How to Connect a Bluetooth Game Controller

Some Vizio TVs support Bluetooth game controllers for use with certain apps:

1. Put your controller in pairing mode
2. Navigate to Bluetooth settings on your TV
3. Select "Add Device"
4. Choose your controller from the list
5. Follow any additional on-screen instructions

Not all apps support external controllers, so check compatibility before purchasing.

Compatible Game Controllers for Vizio TVs

How to Connect Your Phone or Tablet

While you can connect your phone to your Vizio TV via Bluetooth, this is typically for control purposes rather than content sharing. For content sharing, Vizio TVs usually use Chromecast or AirPlay:

1. For control: Use the SmartCast app as described earlier
2. For content sharing: Use the casting feature within apps like YouTube, Netflix, etc.

SmartCast App Features by Version

Troubleshooting Bluetooth Connection Issues

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem: Device not appearing in the list

• Make sure your device is in pairing mode
• Restart both the TV and the device
• Move the device closer to the TV
• Check if the device is already connected to another device

Problem: Audio delay or sync issues

• Try repositioning your Bluetooth device closer to the TV
• Check for interference from other wireless devices
• Update your TV‘s firmware
• Some delay (20-40ms) is normal with Bluetooth audio
• Enable "Game Mode" or "Low Latency Mode" if available

Problem: Poor audio quality

• Move your device closer to the TV
• Remove obstacles between the TV and device
• Check for interference from other wireless devices
• Make sure your device supports the same Bluetooth audio codecs as your TV
• Try resetting your audio