How to Restart Apps on Vizio Smart TV [Solved, 2023]

You can’t just close a Smart TV app like you would a computer program. However, there are a few simple ways to force your Vizio TV apps to restart.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to restart apps on Vizio TV. We’ll go through a couple of easy ways first, but I’ll also include a couple of more involved options that will fix just about any app-specific bug you might run into.

1. Switch to Another App

1. Press the V button on your Vizio remote control or the Home button if there is no V button.
2. Select an app other than the one you are trying to restart.
3. Wait for the app to fully launch.
4. Press the V or Home button again.
5. Select the app you were trying to restart.

This process works in most cases. However, I’ve seen it fail when apps crash during the startup process. Fortunately, we’ve still got plenty of other tools left in our toolbox.

2. Reboot Your TV Using the Remote

Restarting your Vizio TV will restart the app. However, when you hit the power button on your remote, it doesn’t actually turn off the TV. Instead, it sends it into standby mode, which won’t force a restart of your active app. There are two different ways to force a restart of a Vizio TV. This first method is the easiest, assuming you have your remote handy.

1. Make sure your TV is on (not in standby mode).
2. Hold your remote’s power button. The TV will turn off immediately, but you need to keep it pressed until the power comes back on.
3. Open the App you were trying to restart.

Since this restarted all of your apps and the TV itself, your app should be working normally again. If not, we’ve still got a few more tricks to try.

3. Power Cycle Your Vizio TV

The second way to reboot your TV is to power cycle it manually. This method doesn’t require a remote, so it should be possible for anyone. You can also use this process on non-Vizio smart TVs, so it’s the most universal solution on this list.

1. Unplug your TV’s power cord from the wall outlet or surge protector.
2. Wait two minutes.
3. Plug your TV back in and turn it on.
4. Open the App you were trying to restart.

As with the method above, power cycling restarts every app plus the TV operating system itself. It’s the smart TV version of the first suggestion IT people gives for every computer problem: Try turning it off and back on again.

4. Reinstall the App

Sometimes, a simple restart won’t be enough. If your app is still being buggy, it’s probably best to just reinstall it. Make sure you have your login information handy for the app, as this process will erase that information.

This fix is only pertinent to Vizio TVs running the older Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) and VIA Plus platforms. All Vizio TVs released since 2018 use the SmartCast platform that handles app updates for you.

1. Press the V button on your remote control or the Home button if there is no V button.
2. Scroll to the app in the app grid under My Apps.
3. Press and hold the OK button on the remote until a menu appears in the bottom corner of the screen.
4. Press the OK button again to delete the app.
5. Click Delete to confirm deleting the app.
6. Go to the All Apps tab.
7. Scroll through until you get to the app.
8. Press and hold the OK button on your remote until a confirmation message appears.

Now try the app again. You’ll need to enter your log-in information, as it won’t carry over from the previous install.

This method gives you a clean install of the latest version of the app, so it should fix anything from a settings problem to an outdated app.

What’s Next?

App-specific glitches are far more common than problems with Vizio TVs not turning on. Fortunately, they are also less harmful and much easier to fix. If none of these solutions worked, though, you might need to contact Vizio support for further help.

Once you’re done with your troubleshooting, I’ve also got some great smart TV hacks to suggest. Did you know that you can connect a TV to a Hotspot? That’s pretty helpful for days when you need a TV binge and your Wi-Fi won’t cooperate. And if you want to take your favorite smart TV apps with you everywhere you go, check out my guide to traveling with a Firestick.