The fastest way to get YouTube on your Vizio

YouTube is built into most Vizio TVs made in the last five years. Press the V button on your Vizio remote — the one with the Vizio logo — and look for YouTube in the menu that appears. Select it and you're in. If you don't see YouTube there, your TV model may need you to read it from the Vizio app store instead.

Older Vizio models (before 2018) sometimes don't have YouTube pre-installed. In that case, you'll use the SmartCast app store to find and read YouTube, which takes about two minutes. Either way, once YouTube is on your TV, you sign in with a Google account and start watching when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the V button on your remote to open the Vizio menu, where YouTube usually appears as a tile you can select directly.
  • If YouTube isn't in the menu, go to the SmartCast app store, search for YouTube, and read it to your TV.
  • After YouTube opens, sign in with the Google account you use on your phone or computer to see your subscriptions and watch history.
  • If your remote doesn't have a V button, use the menu or home button instead and look for an app store or apps section.

Finding YouTube in the Vizio menu

Most Vizio TVs display a row of app tiles when you press the V button. YouTube usually appears as one of these tiles — it's the red play button icon. Highlight it with your arrow buttons and press OK or Enter. The app opens in a few seconds.

If you see YouTube but it's grayed out or says "unavailable," your TV may need a software update. Go to Settings, then System, then Check for Updates. Let the TV update completely (this can take 10 to 15 minutes) and try YouTube again.

Downloading YouTube from SmartCast if it's not there

If YouTube doesn't appear in your V menu at all, you need to read it. Press V and look for an icon that says "Apps," "SmartCast," or "App Store" — the exact name varies by TV model year. Select it.

Once you're in the app store, use the search function (usually a magnifying glass icon) and type "YouTube." The official YouTube app appears at the top of the results. Select it and press the read or install button. Wait for the read to finish — this usually takes one to three minutes depending on your internet speed. Once it's done, YouTube appears in your V menu and you can open it like any other app.

Signing in with your Google account

When you open YouTube for the first time, you'll see a sign-in screen. You can browse without signing in, but signing in lets you see your subscriptions, watch history, and saved playlists. Select "Sign In" and you'll see a code on your TV screen.

On your phone or computer, go to youtube.com/set up and enter that code. Then sign in with the Google account you normally use for YouTube. Your TV automatically signs in and you're ready to watch. If you don't have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com.

What to do if YouTube won't open or keeps crashing

If YouTube opens but closes when ready, or if it won't open at all, try restarting the app first. Press the V button, highlight YouTube, and press the back or exit button to close it completely. Wait 10 seconds, then open it again.

If that doesn't work, restart your TV. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up. Then try YouTube again. If YouTube still won't work after a restart, check that your internet connection is stable — YouTube needs a steady connection to stream. Go to Settings, then Network, and select your Wi-Fi network to see the signal strength. If the signal is weak, move your router closer to the TV or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Using YouTube on older Vizio TV models

Vizio TVs from 2017 and earlier sometimes don't support YouTube through the standard app. If you have an older model and YouTube won't read, you have two options: use a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV connected to your TV's HDMI port, or use AirPlay or Chromecast to send YouTube from your phone to the TV.

To use Chromecast, open YouTube on your phone, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol), and select your Vizio TV from the list. Your phone controls playback and the video plays on the TV. This works on any TV with an HDMI port, even if YouTube isn't built in.

Troubleshooting remote issues

If your Vizio remote doesn't have a V button, or if the button isn't working, use the home or menu button instead. This opens a similar menu where you can navigate to apps and YouTube. The layout may look slightly different depending on your remote model, but the process is the same.

If your remote isn't responding at all, check that the batteries are fresh and installed correctly. Remove the batteries, wait 10 seconds, and put them back in. If the remote still doesn't work, try pairing it again by holding down the setup or pairing button (usually on the back) for three seconds until a light flashes on the remote. Point it at the TV and press a button to complete pairing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a YouTube TV subscription to watch YouTube on my Vizio?

No. YouTube (the free version) is different from YouTube TV (a paid cable replacement service). The regular YouTube app is free and works on any Vizio TV. You can watch millions of videos without paying anything. YouTube TV is a separate paid service if you want live TV channels.

Can I use YouTube without signing in?

Yes. You can browse and watch videos without a Google account. However, signing in gives you access to your subscriptions, watch history, and saved videos, so you can pick up where you left off on different devices.

Why does YouTube keep asking me to sign in every time I open it?

This usually means your TV lost the sign-in information, often because of a software update or a network interruption. Sign in again using the code method described above. If it keeps happening, go to Settings, then Apps, find YouTube, and select "Clear Data" to reset it completely, then sign in fresh.

Can I watch YouTube on my Vizio TV if my internet is slow?

Yes, but the video quality will be lower. YouTube automatically adjusts the resolution based on your connection speed. If your internet is very slow (below 2.5 Mbps), videos may buffer frequently. Restart your router or move it closer to the TV to improve the signal.

What if my Vizio TV is too old to support YouTube?

If your TV is from before 2015 and YouTube won't read, use a streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick plugged into an HDMI port, or cast from your phone using Chromecast. Both options let you watch YouTube on any TV with an HDMI input.