Recently, I got a cable set-top box for my TV and was pretty satisfied with the whole experience.

But one thing that troubled me was using two remotes every time I had to watch TV.

That is when I bought a universal remote to control both my Vizio TV and the set-top box.

It only took me five minutes to complete the setup. Here’s how: 

To successfully set up a Vizio universal remote, turn on your Vizio TV, press and hold the TV button on your universal remote, and enter the pairing code for the TV. 

How to Pair a Universal Remote With Your Vizio TV

You can use any universal remote to control your Vizio TV.

However, when selecting such a remote, it’s best to get one that can control all devices that you wish to connect to the TV.

Once you have a universal remote, follow these steps to pair it with your Vizio TV: 

1. Turn on your Vizio TV using the Power button on its back.
2. Press and hold the TV button on your universal remote. 

Note: For some universal remotes, you may have to press a series of buttons. Check the instruction manual of your universal remote if you are not sure.

3. The LED indicator on your Vizio TV should flash a couple of times.
4. Point the universal remote at the Receiver of your TV.
5. Enter the Pairing code using the number buttons.

Note: I have mentioned some common pairing codes in the next section. You can also find the code for your Vizio TV in the instruction manual for the remote. 

6. The LED indicator of your TV will stop flashing if the pairing is correct.
7. Press the Power button on the remote to see if the TV turns off.
8. If yes, the setup is complete.
9. If not, repeat the process with different codes till it pairs. 

Once your universal remote is connected to your Vizio TV, try using different buttons on the remote to check if they perform the intended function. 

Common Codes to Connect a Universal Remote With Your Vizio TV

The remote pairing codes are 2-5 digit combinations that set up your remote with the device you want to use.

They are usually mentioned in the manual accompanying the universal remote. 

Based on the type of input your universal remote requires, here are some common codes for Vizio TV: 

You can also set up your universal remote to control Vizio Soundbar and Vizio Blu-ray using the pairing codes for the respective device. 

Which Devices You Can Control Using a Universal Remote

A universal remote helps you control multiple devices with a single remote control, as it eliminates the need to use a different remote for each device in your home.

It makes your life simple, as it can be paired with any device that has a remote sensor.

Aside from your Smart TV, here are some devices that you can control via a universal remote: 

• DVD player
• Cable set-top box
• Home theater
• Blu-ray player
• Soundbar 

Troubleshoot Universal Remote Not Pairing With Vizio TV

There are times when a universal remote does not pair with a Vizio TV due to a fault in either the remote or the TV.

If you face such a problem, go through the following steps: 

• Check that the batteries of the universal remote are inserted properly.
• Ensure that the TV’s remote sensor is not blocked.
• Make sure you are pointing the remote correctly at the sensor.
• Power cycle the Vizio TV.

Power cycling means performing a soft reset of a device to remove any bugs from the system and drain its residual power.

To power cycle your Vizio TV:

1. Unplug the TV from the power socket.
2. Press and hold its Power button for 60 seconds. 
3. Plug it back in and Switch it on. 

After the reset, turn on your Vizio TV and try to pair the universal remote again.

If the universal remote still does not pair with your Vizio TV, contact Vizio Support for additional assistance. 

Control Multiple Devices With One Remote

I recently set up a universal remote to operate my Vizio TV and cable set-top box. 

All I needed to do was pair the remote with both my devices. 

While my Vizio TV paired rather quickly, I had to go through six different pairing code combinations before I was able to control my set-top box. 

If you are not sure what pairing codes you need for a particular device, your best option is to do a quick Google search. 

Sometimes, the universal remote may not connect with a device due to a bug in either the device or the remote. In such a case, some basic troubleshooting is enough to identify and rectify the fault. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up a universal remote without a pairing code?

There is no direct way to connect a universal remote without a pairing code. In case you don’t know the code to connect a particular device to your universal remote, you should contact your remote manufacturer’s customer support. 

How do I turn on my Vizio TV without a remote?

You can turn on your Vizio TV using the Power button on the TV. Alternatively, you can use the Vizio SmartCast app to control your Vizio TV without a remote. 

Can I use a universal remote for any device?

A universal remote can be paired with any device that has a remote sensor. Before trying to pair the device, you should know the pairing code for the particular device.