Quick answer
Press the V or Home button, open YouTube, choose Sign in and Sign in with your phone, then enter the code at yt.be/activate.
Which Vizio do you have?
| Platform | What you see | YouTube |
|---|---|---|
| VIZIO OS / SmartCast | Full-screen home with rows of apps and shows | Built in. Follow the steps below. |
| VIA or VIA Plus (older) | A bar of app icons along the bottom of the screen | May no longer be available. Cast from your phone or use a streaming stick. |
To check, press the menu button and open System → System Information. Menu names vary by model.
Sign in on a Vizio SmartCast TV
- Press V or Home.Open YouTube from the app row. If it is not there, use Apps or App Search and add it to the home screen.
- Open Sign in.Press ← in YouTube and choose Sign in, then Sign in with your phone.
- Enter the code at yt.be/activate, or scan the QR code.
- Allow access for your Google account.
Opens Google's official page in a new tab. Type your code there, never on any other site.
Vizio problems and fixes
Update the TV
Press the menu button, then All Settings → Admin & Privacy → Check for Updates. On older models it is System → Check for Updates.
Restart the TV
All Settings → Admin & Privacy → Restart TV (some models say Soft Power Cycle; older ones use System → Reboot TV). Unplugging for 30 seconds also works.
Casting does not work
Vizio fixed a Google Cast problem on some 2016 to 2020 models with a firmware update. Update the TV first, then try casting YouTube from your phone again.
No YouTube app on an older Vizio
Cast from the YouTube app on your phone with Google Cast or AirPlay, or plug in a Roku, Fire TV or Chromecast.
Questions people ask
How do I know if my Vizio is SmartCast?
Press the menu button and open System, then System Information. Recent models list the platform there. If your home screen is a full-screen grid of apps and shows, it is SmartCast or VIZIO OS.
YouTube is missing from my Vizio TV.
Search for it in the home screen's Apps. If it is not offered on your model, Vizio suggests casting from your phone with Google Cast or AirPlay, or adding a streaming stick.