Vizio Sound Bar Keeps Cutting Out: A Troubleshooting Guide

Is your Vizio soundbar embarrassing you with a cut-off in audio, in front of your friends?

Well, it’s something that you’ll have to leave your comfy sofa to find the answers to, as your Vizio soundbar cannot speak. You might also be worried about why your Vizio soundbar keeps cutting out. In each of these cases, you don’t need to call technicians or scientists. 

So, what do you have to do? 

Well, try and ask the magical mirror, and if you don’t find any answers there; all you’ll have to do is to sit and continue reading for ten minutes to find all the answers about the Vizio soundbar, why it keeps cutting out, and ways to fix this problem. 

Why is your Vizio Sound Bar cutting out? 

The glorious Vizio soundbar is an amazing innovation for home theaters which delivers high quality audio at affordable prices. Now, one day while you were sitting and enjoying the latest music album of your favorite singer, you noticed a cut off in audio every now and then.

Here are some reasons why your Vizio soundbar keeps cutting off. 

• Problem with the connection: The main culprit behind the Vizio Soundbar audio cut off could be the audio connection. If you notice your Vizio sound bar flashing white lights, this could be related to the connection issue. If you’re facing issues with the HDMI ARC connection, our guide on Vizio soundbar HDMI ARC not working might be helpful. You might be thinking, ‘How can an audio connection disturb the audio of the Vizio soundbar? Well, it can be anything starting from an unplugged switch to a damaged connecting cable. For this, you might want to check if the cables are properly plugged in and in working condition. 
• Old Soundbar: Everyone says that “Old is Gold” but this can’t be true when we are talking about the Vizio soundbar. If you have an old model of Vizio soundbar that you have been using for eons; chances are that your Vizio soundbar has gone old and grumpy, and can’t function as efficiently as the new one. 
• Problem with the firmware: Another problem that may cause a cut out in your Vizio soundbar could be the problem with the firmware. You might be using an outdated version of Vizio software. 
• Bugs in soundbar settings: Sometimes the problem with the Vizio soundbar is not as big as it may seem. If the audio of the Vizio soundbar keeps cutting out, there might be an issue with the device settings. Learn more about the best Vizio soundbar settings to optimize your audio experience.
• Heating up: Overusing a Vizio soundbar can also create problems and result in audio cut out. If you’re using your Vizio soundbar for long durations without giving it a rest, chances are that your soundbar will heat up and malfunction.  In addition to this, if the soundbar is in a place where it’s exposed to a lot of dirt and mud, the cut out could be a result of blockage in the soundbar. 

Fixing your Vizio Soundbar

Now that you know the circumstances under which the audio of your Vizio Soundbar might keep cutting, you would want to know the solution to each of the aforementioned problems. 

So, continue reading to find out how you can fix the audio cut out of your Vizio soundbar. 

Turn up the Vizio soundbar volume:

Turning up the volume of the Vizio Soundbar is a No-brainer that most users tend to forget. The first thing that you need to do, if you’re experiencing an audio cut out is to check if you’ve muted the soundbar. 

If the soundbar is muted, definitely, you won’t be able to hear anything. Try to unmute the soundbar and see if the problem is fixed; if the problem still continues to exist you should proceed to the next step. 

Check the Audio connection:

First of all, drop everything and check the cables connecting your Vizio soundbar to the TV. Try to remove all the cables and plug them back properly. Now, try to play different types of music to see if the audio cut out is still bugging you. 

In most cases, this would solve the issue; however, if the audio is still cutting out, chances are that your audio cable (HDMI or digital optical) is damaged. Try to change the cables to solve this issue. 

If the audio cut out is fixed, you’re good to go; otherwise, continue to the second step. 

Diagnosing the problem: 

What if your Vizio soundbar isn’t the problem?
Yes, that’s right! 
Don’t always judge the book by its cover. Although the problem does seem to be with the Vizio soundbar, chances are that the device connected to the soundbar might be malfunctioning. 

So, check the settings of your TV or the device connected to the Vizio soundbar, streaming audio signals. Try to attach different devices with the Vizio soundbar to see if the voice is still cutting out. If changing the device fixes the problem you don’t have to worry about the Vizio soundbar, it’s functioning properly. However, if the problem remains unresolved you should proceed to the next step.

Reset the soundbar:

Resetting your Vizio soundbar is a go-to option for almost all audio-related problems. If your Vizio soundbar is not working at all, a reset might be the solution. You can never go wrong with resetting your soundbar. It’ll bring the default settings and most probably will fix the problem of audio cut out. 

Here’s how you can soft reset (Power Cycle) your Vizio soundbar.

1. Power off your Vizio soundbar and unplug the power cable. 
2. Press the power button for 30 seconds and then plug the power cord back in. 

Now check if your soundbar has been fixed. If not you’ll have to hard reset your Vizio soundbar. Here’s how you can do it. 

1. Turn on the Vizio soundbar if it’s not already switched on. 
2. Press and hold the volume down and Bluetooth button simultaneously. 
3. Wait for all the LED lights on the soundbar to flash on three times. 

You’ve successfully done a hard reset for your Vizio soundbar. You’ll have to set the audio settings manually after this according to your preferences. However, if your soundbar is stubborn and the problem still exists, you should proceed to the next step. 

Update the Vizio Firmware: 

If your Vizio soundbar software is old and outdated, it will create audio glitches. To fix these, you’ll have to download the latest version of the software for your model of Vizio Soundbar, in your USB drive.

1. Insert the USB drive in the soundbar and wait for the lights to start blinking, this shows that the installation has started. 
2. Once the lights stop blinking, it indicates that the installation was successful and you can remove the USB drive. 
3. You can confirm the installation by pressing the volume up and volume down buttons. Once you do this, the front LED lights will blink to show the version.

Check your bass settings:

Although the bass is a crucial component of great audio output, a high bass volume could result in an audio cut out. You may fix this issue by simply lowering the bass settings. 

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Go to the Menu button on the remote. 
2. Go to Audio settings
3. From here you can fix the bass volume.

Giving Your Vizio Soundbar a Break:

Just like any electronic device, your Vizio soundbar needs a break too. If you’ve been using it for an extended period, it might get heated, which could be the culprit behind the audio cut out. It’s a good practice to turn off the soundbar and let it cool down for a while. You could do this during a lunch break or overnight, ensuring it gets ample time to cool down. This simple step could solve the temporary audio cut out issue and prolong the life of your soundbar.

A Breath of Fresh Air for Your Soundbar:

Over time, dust and dirt can accumulate inside your soundbar, and believe it or not, this could interfere with its performance leading to issues like audio cut out. A straightforward solution to this is cleaning your soundbar with compressed air.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Power Off: Ensure that your Vizio soundbar is turned off and unplugged from any power source to avoid any electrical mishaps.
2. Get a Can of Compressed Air: Purchase a can of compressed air from a nearby electronics or hardware store. They are relatively inexpensive and are excellent tools for cleaning electronics.
3. Gentle Sprays: Hold the can of compressed air at a slight angle, and with gentle, short sprays, clean the ports, vents, and any other openings on the soundbar. The aim is to dislodge any dust or debris that might be interfering with the soundbar’s functionality.
4. No Moisture: Ensure that no moisture enters the soundbar while you are cleaning. Compressed air is usually moisture-free, but it’s always good to be cautious.
5. Let it Dry: Before you plug the soundbar back in, give it a few minutes to ensure that any dislodged dust has settled or escaped from the soundbar.

Performing this cleaning routine once in a while can keep your Vizio soundbar in pristine condition and ensure a great audio experience every time.

Contact the Vizio support: 

This should be your last call. If nothing else is fixing the audio cut out, you may contact Vizio support to address the issue with your Vizio Soundbar.

According to Elias Jones, a certified audio technician with over 15 years of experience, “Many soundbar issues arise from simple overlooked factors such as loose cables or accumulated dust. Regular maintenance and following a thorough troubleshooting guide can resolve most common problems.

Vizio support also emphasizes the importance of keeping the soundbar firmware updated to ensure optimal performance.

To sum up! 

The problem with your Vizio soundbar could be anything starting from a loose connection to a problem with the device hardware. If you have reached this far, you must be able to diagnose and fix the problem with your Vizio soundbar which is causing the audio cut out. 

Just know that you need to take care of your Vizio soundbar just like your pet. With patience and diligence, you can fix all the problems with this amazing audio device. 

With my extensive experience in dealing with audio equipment and providing solutions to common technical issues, I can vouch for the effectiveness of the troubleshooting steps provided in this guide. Each solution is tailored to address the common issues Vizio soundbar users face, ensuring a smooth audio experience.