The SmartCast TVs from Vizio are becoming better and better. You’re missing out if you haven’t upgraded your Vizio SmartCast TV in the last few months (or ever). Plus, you don’t want the security risks of not updating your smart TV.
If you don’t upgrade your TV’s firmware, you’ll miss out on several new features, like improved picture quality and increased interoperability with smart home devices. Consider it a no-cost upgrade that will provide you with a better, more competent television after only a few minutes of on-the-couch work.
Vizio’s SmartCast TVs have received multiple improvements in the last year, including new streaming options, HDR support, and Amazon Alexa skills. Vizio’s SmartCast TVs are getting more excellent capability thanks to new updates that provide local app compatibility and expand capabilities like Google Assistant and smart-speaker connectivity.
It only takes a few minutes to update your SmartCast TV. So grab your remote and read on to get your out-of-date television back up to current. Though we’re updating a Vizio SmartCast E50-E1, we can apply the same techniques to other Vizio 4K TVs.
How to Update Vizio Smart TV Automatically
To update your Vizio TV automatically, turn it on and connect it to the internet. Vizio Smart TVs automatically search for available updates when connected to the internet. If there is an update, it will be queued. When the TV is in sleep mode, the update will begin.
How To Update Your Vizio TV Manually – Newer Models
To get you started, here’s a detailed seven-step guide:
1. Turn on the TV
To begin, turn on the TV. There’s a big chance you’ll be requested to check for and install updates immediately. If this is the case, complete your update by following the on-screen directions.
If you are not requested to update immediately, follow the steps below to locate and install the required firmware updates.
Note: If the Firmware on your Vizio TV is up-to-date, nothing further occurs.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi
If you haven’t received Vizio’s automatic updates yet, it’s likely because your television isn’t connected to the internet. To connect to your home network, go to the TV’s main menu by pressing the Menu button, then scroll down to the Network option.
The Network Settings menu will prompt you to enter your network password after you have selected your Wi-Fi network or connected through Ethernet.
Once you’ve joined your home network, you can test the connection to make sure there aren’t any other issues that could block a simple upgrade. Return to the main menu to continue the upgrade process after any networking issues have been resolved and you are successfully connected.
3. Open the Settings menu
Navigate to the System menu from the main menu.
There are two relevant items in the System menu: Check for System Updates and System Information.
Select the first choice and skip to step 5 if you want to apply the latest update right away. Proceed to step 4 if you want a little more information before installing anything.
4. Check the version number
If you’re not sure, you may check which version of the operating system you’re running in the System Information menu.
Right below the model name, you’ll notice a critical piece of information labeled “Version,” which relates to the TV’s firmware version.
5. Check for available updates
Select the first option under the System menu, titled “Check for Updates,” to deliver the most recent version of the software to your SmartCast TV.
When you choose this option, an on-screen prompt will appear, asking you to confirm that you want to check for updates.
6. Begin installing the update
The system will begin downloading the most recent version of the software once you confirm. It will display the version number for both the currently installed program and downloading update in an on-screen notification; this should correspond to the data from step 4.
The TV will restart after the update has finished downloading to begin installing it. You’ll also see a splash screen that displays how far along the installation is.
7. Your TV automatically restarts
The Vizio TV will restart once you complete that procedure. You’ll also get a notification stating that the update was installed successfully and mentioning some of the new capabilities available on your SmartCast TV.
For further information, press the Play/Pause button on the remote or any other button to dismiss the message and enjoy the newly upgraded TV.
Can Older Vizio TVs Be Updated?
The first year of VIZIO SmartCast 4K UHD TVs, released between 2016 and 2017, only had automatic updates.
Only VIZIO SmartCast HD TVs released between 2016 and 2017 can be automatically updated if they have the most recent upgrades. Manual updates are also available for VIZIO SmartCast HD TVs released between 2016 and 2017.
How can I Update an Old Vizio TV?
Go to Settings, click on Support, and finally, Software Update. Next, click Update Now.
This step will refresh your TV with new information. Please don’t turn off the TV until the update is finished; updates usually take a few minutes.
If the update is causing your device to stop working correctly, you may always do a factory reset to restore it to its original state. This article will show you how to reset a Vizio Smart TV.
How to Update your Vizio TV Using USB
- To update firmware on your Vizio TV using a USB, plug in your USB flash drive to your PC and open your web browser. Go to the Vizio webpage, Click on Support. A menu will appear.
- Click on the ‘Find your Firmware’ icon to display the Find Your Firmware page.
- Next, enter your model number into the search bar to find the firmware update for your TV model. Be sure to enter the correct number!
- You can also click here to get more information regarding your TV firmware.
- Next, click the download firmware link to download to your USB drive. Click save to download the IMG file to your flash drive.
- Lastly, rename the file saved to your flash to ‘fwsu.IMG’ and press ‘Enter.’ Disconnect the USB drive from the computer
- Before inserting the USB flash drive into your Vizio USB port, power off your TV, plug the cord back, and power it on again.
- A red or blue indicator bar should appear at the bottom of the screen, indicating that the TV is updating the firmware. Wait a few minutes till the update is over, and only the Power LED light remains illuminated.
- Remove the USB Drive and turn off the TV again, then remove the USB drive from the USB port. Turn on the Vizio TV again.
- Ensure that you now have the latest Vizio firmware by using the info button on your remote control to check the firmware version.
Does Vizio TV Have An Automatic Update Feature?
When updates are available, your VIZIO TV can update automatically. You must ensure that you connect your smart TV to the internet.
The update will not take place while watching TV, which gives you the freedom to watch the shows of your choice without being interrupted. When you switch the TV off, it will resume or begin a new update.
Many of the updates your VIZIO TV needs will automatically happen if you haven’t turned off the options for automatic updates and keep the TV connected to the internet.
Vizio TV’s no “Check for Updates” Issue
If you don’t have a check for updates option on your Vizio TV, it may be a model that doesn’t support internet updates. You might need to use the USB option to update your firmware.
I’ve followed the directions of my TV to the letter and still it doesn’t do anything. The menu just shows up showing music/video/photo. Nothing happens, no updates. I’ve tried every type of format using MiniTool partition (FAT, FAT32, exFAT, NTFS) but it just wont read the usb to update the firmware. Trying to update my TV using check updates says it’s updated although the firmware is not the must up to date version. I am at 7.0.120.1-1 and im trying to update to 7.0.23.2-4. I have a M658-G1. If you can figure this out, I’d be amazed and grateful. Vizio customer service was no help.
I have an E65-F1 and I have the exact same problem and symptoms. I am banging my head against the wall hoping to fix this, and I want to understand why nothing is working.