The fastest way to watch YouTube on Vizio

Most Vizio TVs made after 2016 have YouTube built in as a pre-installed app. If your TV is that recent, open the app menu (usually a button on your remote labeled "V" or "Apps"), find YouTube in the list, and select it. The app will open and ask you to sign in with your Google account the first time you use it.

If your Vizio is older or YouTube is not in the app menu, you have three other ways to get YouTube on screen: use a streaming device plugged into an HDMI port, cast from your phone or computer, or use the Vizio SmartCast app on your phone to control a compatible TV. Each method works differently and has different requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Vizio TVs from 2016 onward usually have YouTube pre-installed in the app menu, accessible with your remote.
  • Older Vizio models can run YouTube through a separate streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast plugged into an HDMI port.
  • You can cast YouTube from your phone or computer to any Vizio TV using Google Cast, even without a built-in app.
  • Vizio SmartCast is a phone app that works with certain Vizio models and lets you control the TV and launch apps from your phone.

Using the built-in YouTube app on newer Vizio TVs

If your Vizio TV was made in 2016 or later, YouTube is almost certainly already installed. Press the "V" button or "Apps" button on your remote to open the app menu. Scroll through the list until you see YouTube, then select it. The app will launch and ask you to sign in the first time.

To sign in, you will need a Google account (the same account you use for Gmail or Google Drive). The TV will show you a code and a website address. Go to that website on your phone or computer, enter the code, and sign in with your Google account. The TV will then connect to your account and remember it for next time.

Once you are signed in, you can search for videos, watch your subscriptions, and access your watch history just as you would on a phone or computer. If YouTube is not in your app menu, your TV may be older or the app may have been removed. In that case, use one of the other methods below.

Adding YouTube through a streaming device

A streaming device is a small box or stick that plugs into one of your TV's HDMI ports and connects to your WiFi. It runs apps like YouTube, Netflix, and others. This is the most reliable way to get YouTube on any Vizio TV, regardless of age, because the streaming device does the work instead of the TV itself.

The most common streaming devices are Google Chromecast with Google TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Roku. All three have YouTube built in. Plug the device into an HDMI port on the back or side of your TV, plug its power cable into an outlet, and follow the setup instructions on screen. Once it is set up, you will see YouTube in the app menu on the device, and you can sign in with your Google account.

Streaming devices usually cost between $30 and $60 and are sold at most electronics retailers. They are worth the cost if your TV is older or if you want to watch other streaming services as well. The device will work with any TV, so if you upgrade your television later, you can take the streaming device with you.

Casting YouTube from your phone or computer

Casting means sending video from your phone or computer to your TV wirelessly. You do not need any extra hardware or apps on the TV itself—your phone or computer does the work. This works on any Vizio TV as long as both devices are connected to the same WiFi network.

On an Android phone or Chromebook, open the YouTube app, tap the Cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with WiFi waves), and select your Vizio TV from the list. The video will start playing on the TV, and you can control it from your phone. On an iPhone or Mac, open YouTube in Safari, tap the Share button, and look for AirPlay options if your TV supports AirPlay (some newer Vizio models do, but not all).

Casting works well for watching one video at a time, but it uses your phone's battery and keeps your phone's screen on. If you plan to watch YouTube for hours, a streaming device or the built-in app is more convenient because your phone can stay in your pocket.

Using Vizio SmartCast on your phone

Vizio SmartCast is a phone app that works with certain Vizio TV models made from 2016 onward. It lets you control your TV and launch apps from your phone, including YouTube. read the SmartCast app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, open it, and follow the setup steps to connect it to your TV.

Once SmartCast is set up, you can see your TV's app menu on your phone and tap YouTube to launch it on the TV. You can also use your phone as a remote to navigate and control playback. SmartCast works only if your TV model is compatible, so check Vizio's website or your TV's manual to confirm before downloading the app.

Checking your Vizio TV model and age

To find out whether your TV has YouTube built in, you need to know when it was made. Look at the back of your TV for a label with the model number. The model number usually starts with "V" followed by numbers and letters (for example, V505-H9). Write down this number.

Go to Vizio's support website and search for your model number. The product page will tell you what apps are pre-installed and what year the TV was made. If the page lists YouTube, your TV has it. If it does not, or if your TV is older than 2016, use a streaming device or casting instead.

You can also try opening the app menu on your TV and scrolling through it. If YouTube appears in the list, you have it. If you do not see it after scrolling all the way through, it is not installed.

Troubleshooting when YouTube will not open or sign in

If YouTube is on your TV but will not open, restart the TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Once it powers on, try opening YouTube again. If it still will not open, go to your TV's Settings menu, find Apps or Applications, and look for an option to clear the app's cache or data. This removes temporary files that might be causing problems.

If YouTube opens but will not let you sign in, make sure your TV is connected to WiFi. Go to Settings, then Network, and check that the WiFi connection is active and has a strong signal. If the connection is weak, move your TV closer to your router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If you see an error message about your Google account, try signing out and signing back in. Open YouTube, go to Settings, find Account or Sign Out, and select it. Then open YouTube again and sign in with your Google account. If the problem continues, restart the TV and try once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does YouTube cost extra on Vizio TV?

No. YouTube itself is free to watch on your TV, just as it is on your phone or computer. You do not need a paid subscription to use the app. YouTube Premium, which removes ads and adds some extra features, costs money, but it is optional.

Can I use YouTube TV on my Vizio TV?

Yes, if your TV has YouTube TV installed or if you use a streaming device or casting. YouTube TV is a separate service from regular YouTube and requires a paid subscription. It is available as an app on most streaming devices and on newer Vizio TVs.

What if my Vizio TV is not on the WiFi?

YouTube needs an internet connection to work. Go to your TV's Settings menu, find Network or WiFi, and select your home WiFi network. Enter your WiFi password if prompted. Once the TV is connected, YouTube should work.

Can I use YouTube without signing in?

You can browse YouTube without signing in, but you will not see your subscriptions, watch history, or saved playlists. Signing in takes less than a minute and is worth doing if you plan to watch regularly.

Will a streaming device work with my old Vizio TV?

Yes. Streaming devices work with any TV that has an HDMI port, regardless of the TV's age or brand. If your Vizio TV has an HDMI port (almost all do), a streaming device will work with it.