Do you need to know if your Visio Smart TV has Bluetooth or is particularly compatible with Bluetooth sound devices like headphones, speakers, or a soundbar? Keep reading to find all the answers you need about your Visio TV’s Bluetooth capabilities and how to connect to devices.
Visio TVs do have Bluetooth, but most only support Bluetooth LE, a low-energy output form of Bluetooth. This enables the TV to pair with smartphones and tablets to use as a remote control for the TV, but not for pairing devices like soundbars and Bluetooth speakers.
If you need to connect another Bluetooth device to your Vizio TV, try the suggestions below! These are other ways to connect a Visio TV to headphones, speakers, and soundbars. In some cases, you may be able to connect a device directly to the TV’s Bluetooth, but in other cases, you will need these workarounds rather than connecting via the Tv’s built-in Bluetooth.
Check The TV’s Manual For Bluetooth Info And Instructions
Consult the manual which came with your Vizio TV. Find the section which gives information on the Bluetooth capabilities of your TV. There will also be a section with instructions on locating and using it on your TV.
If you do not have the manual, an internet search for a digital version may be helpful for you.
How To Connect A Phone Or Tablet As A Remote To A Vizio TV
To pair a smartphone or tablet as a remote control through the Tv’s Bluetooth, follow these steps:
- Unlock the tablet or smartphone and open your app store. Search for Vizio SmartCast. Download the SmartCast app.
- Create an account for the SmartCast app or sign in using a guest login.
- Find the option: Choose a device to control and tap on it. This is usually found on the lower half of the screen.
- Add your Vizio Smart TV to the list by clicking Add Device and going through all the setup instructions.
- Complete the setup and launch the app to use it as a Bluetooth-enabled remote control for your Vizio TV.
How To Pair A Bluetooth Device To Your Vizio TV
Because Vizio TVs only support Bluetooth LE, some people have successfully connected other Bluetooth LE devices to the TV. If your device uses Bluetooth low energy frequency, it may connect via Bluetooth to the device.
Bluetooth LE devices and regular Bluetooth devices differ in that Bluetooth LE devices have a simpler modulation system to keep the Bluetooth LE device in a lower energy state – therefore with a reduced amount of power – while maintaining the same communication range.
This is very hit-and-miss, though, with some external devices connecting easily and others not connecting. Test devises you may already have to see if your TV will pair.
Two Ways To Get Bluetooth On Your Vizio TV
To pair a smartphone or tablet as a remote control through the Tv’s Bluetooth, follow these steps:
- Unlock the tablet or smartphone and open your app store. Search for Vizio SmartCast. Download the SmartCast app.
- Create an account for the SmartCast app or sign in using a guest login.
- Find the option: Choose a device to control and tap on it. This is usually found on the lower half of the screen.
- Add your Vizio Smart TV to the list by clicking Add Device and going through all the setup instructions.
- Complete the setup and launch the app to use it as a Bluetooth-enabled remote control for your Vizio TV.
How To Use A Bluetooth Transmitter On A Vizio TV
Before deciding if this is the best route to Bluetooth connectivity on your Vizio TV, be aware that many Bluetooth transmitters require a 3.5mm audio jack to connect the transmitter to the TV. If your Vizio TV does not have a 3.5mm audio jack port, you will need to choose a transmitter that connects in a different way, e.g., by RCA port.
If your TV has a 3.5mm audio jack, plugging a Bluetooth transmitter will take the audio signal from the TV and pass it through the transmitter to any speakers, soundbars, or other devices paired with the transmitter.
Connect Bluetooth Devices To Audio Out Port On A Vizio TV
If your Vizio TV doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio jack, you can connect sound devices like speakers and soundbars directly to the TV from the Audio Out ports on the back of the TV.
You will need a cable with a 3.5mm audio jack on one end and the red and white analog RCA jacks on the other end.
Follow these steps to connect via the Audio Out port:
- Plug the 3.5mm jack into the AUX-in port on the speaker or soundbar (or another device) you would like to use with your Vizio TV
- Locate the RCA ports on the back of the Vizio TV. These are round ports that are red and white and usually sit next to a yellow port. Plug the red RCA jack into the red port and the white RCA jack into the white port.
- Turn the TV on and test the sound coming from the speaker.
- If the sound is still coming through the built-in TV speaker, navigate to the TV’s menu function and enable the plugged-in device.
Conclusion
While a Vizio TV has Bluetooth built-in, it is Bluetooth LE, which is not compatible with Bluetooth devices. The built-in Bluetooth will be able to pair a tablet or smartphone to the TV to be used as a remote, but you may struggle to pair other Bluetooth devices. To connect headphones, a soundbar, or a speaker to your Vizio TV, you can consult the TV’s manual to see if it is compatible with the TV’s Bluetooth. If it is not, you can connect a Bluetooth transmitter to the TV and pair a Bluetooth device to the Vizio TV through it. If you prefer, you can connect a device directly to the TV with an RCA to 3.5mm audio jack. These ways will help you connect your Vizio TV to Bluetooth devices.