Find out how to simplify switching inputs on Vizio Smartcast TVs

For years, top-of-the-line issues about Vizio TVs has been the power to disregard their SmartCast software program.

Turning on the TV would all the time take you on to your final enter, so you can use a separate streaming participant, recreation console, or cable field without having to navigate via any sensible TV software program menus. If you happen to simply needed to make use of your sensible TV as a dumb TV, Vizio was glad to oblige.

Sadly, Vizio has now determined to alter that habits, with a late 2021 firmware replace that makes SmartCast the default enter everytime you activate the TV. Vizio’s firmware additionally switches the TV again to SmartCast mechanically after 10 seconds when it detects no sign on different inputs, inflicting extra frustration for people who use their TVs as pc screens.

Jared Newman / IDG

Even for those who use HDMI-CEC to show in your TV with a cable or streaming distant, Vizio should override this command and change again to the SmartCast interface when the TV activates. There’s no good purpose to disrespect customers’ enter preferences this manner, besides as a cynical ploy to spice up “post-purchase monetization” via superfluous sensible TV software program.

This replace seems to have an effect on all Vizio SmartCast TVs, protecting a lot of the firm’s televisions from 2016 onward. The excellent news is you can nonetheless restore the outdated habits by digging into Vizio’s settings menu.

Avoiding SmartCast on Vizio TVs

Right here’s the right way to change the default again to your final enter as an alternative of Vizio’s SmartCast software program when turning on the TV:

• Hit the Menu button your distant.
• Head to System > Enter at Energy On.

Jared Newman / IDG

• As an alternative of “Computerized,” choose “Earlier Enter,” or select a selected enter to load each time.

Jared Newman / IDG

• Flip your TV off, then on once more.

At this level, your Vizio TV needs to be again to the best way it was, remembering your final enter as an alternative of loading the SmartCast interface each time.

You may also take into account disconnecting your Vizio TV from the web solely. Doing so will lower off sure sensible TV options, akin to Chromecast, AirPlay, and HomeKit help, however you’ll additionally stop Vizio from putting in any extra updates which may make the dumb TV expertise any worse.

Right here’s the right way to pull the plug on Vizio’s web connection:

• Hit the Menu button in your distant.
• Choose “Community.”
• Choose your linked Wi-Fi community from the record. (It ought to have a Wi-Fi icon on its left aspect.)
• Choose “Neglect.”

Jared Newman / IDG

Alternatively, you possibly can factory-reset the TV software program by heading to System > Reset & Admin > Reset to Manufacturing unit Settings. Throughout setup, choose “Skip” when prompted to pick out your Wi-Fi community, and also you’ll keep away from putting in SmartCast within the first place.