I recently encountered issues while streaming Starz on my Vizio Smart TV and was finally able to resolve Starz App Not Working On Vizio Smart TV.
The Starz App is available on all Vizio Smart TVs, and provides access to a wide range of content, including movies and TV shows from Starz, Encore, and Cinemax.
Here at Smart Home Apt, we shall look into methods of resolving this issue.
Table of contents [Show]
- 1 Causes of Starz App Not Working On Vizio Smart TV
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2
How to fix Starz App Not Working On Vizio Smart TV ?
- 2. 1 1. Restart or Power Cycle Your Vizio TV
- 2. 2 2. Ensure Your Vizio TV Is Compatible With Starz
- 2. 3 3. Test the Speed of Your Internet Connection
- 2. 4 4. Restart Your Router and modem
- 2. 5 5. Perform Vizio TV Firmware Update
- 2. 6 6. Clear Starz App Cache
- 2. 7 7. Turn Off VPN if applicable
- 2. 8 8. Check out Starz on a different device
- 2. 9 9. Find out the Status of the Starz Server
- 2. 10 10. Factory Reset Your TV to Its Original Settings
Causes of Starz App Not Working On Vizio Smart TV
1. Outdated Software
This can be caused by an outdated operating system or firmware. To check for updates, go to the “Settings” menu on your Vizio Smart TV and select “System Update”. If there’s an update available, follow the instructions to install it.
2. Internet Issues
The second potential cause is a network issue. If your Vizio Smart TV isn’t connected to the internet, or if the connection is weak, Starz App won't be able to connect to the streaming service. To check your network connection, go to the “Settings” menu and select “Network”. If you’re connected, try restarting your router.
3. App cache issues
It is very important to clear the cache of the Starz app as failure to do so might cause streaming issues. You can do this by going to the Settings menu and selecting Clear Cache. This will delete any temporary files that may have been causing the issue.
4. Outdated Starz App
Another potential cause is an outdated Starz App. To check for updates, go to the “Settings” menu and select “Apps”. Select “Starz App” and if there is an update available, follow the instructions to install it.
5. Starz server issues
Another potential cause is a problem with the Starz server. If the server is down or experiencing technical difficulties, Starz App won't be able to connect to the streaming service. To check the status of the Starz server, visit Down Detector website and look for any notifications about server outages.
How to fix Starz App Not Working On Vizio Smart TV ?
1. Restart or Power Cycle Your Vizio TV
If you are experiencing issues with your app, it may be due to a random software glitch. The best way to fix this issue is to power cycle the device - turn it off and then back on again.
When you press the power button on your Vizio SmartCast TV, it does not actually reboot. Instead, it enters standby mode, which allows the TV to turn on faster but can also cause software issues to accumulate over time.
To fully reboot your Vizio TV:
- Unplug it from the wall.
- Wait two minutes.
- Then plug it back in and power it on.
If you're still having trouble with the Starz app, try restarting it. Keeping these instructions handy may help you solve any TV bugs you come across.
2. Ensure Your Vizio TV Is Compatible With Starz
To use the Starz app, you will need a Vizio smart TV model from 2016 or later. Look for the model number in your TV's system menu or on a sticker on the back of the TV. This model number will tell you which year your Vizio TV was made, as all Vizio TVs running SmartCast OS since 2016 are compatible with the Starz app. You can see all the Smart TV supported Apps here.
The model number V60-K2 indicates the year, with D representing 2016, E for 2017, F for 2018, and so forth.
The Starz app has only been available on Vizio TVs since 2022, so a comprehensive list of compatible models is not yet available. Generally, it is expected to be compatible with newer TVs (manufactured in 2022 and beyond), though its compatibility with older models may be more restricted.
If you own a Vizio TV made before 2016, replacing it is expensive and difficult. It is much simpler and more cost-effective to add a streaming stick instead.
You can watch Starz on any TV, whether it's a smart TV or not, by connecting a Fire TV Stick or Roku streaming stick. Both devices are simple to use and offer access to all the major streaming apps.
3. Test the Speed of Your Internet Connection
Buffering issues with Starz and other video streaming apps can be caused by slow internet connections. In the most extreme cases, your internet connection may be too slow or unreliable for the Starz servers to even establish a connection.
To test your internet speed, you can use either your computer or phone. Ensure that the device you are using is connected to the same network as your TV. If you are using a phone, remember to switch off mobile data and only use Wi-Fi.
If your internet speeds are slower than 3-4 Mbps for standard streaming and 5-8 Mbps for HD, you will have to take the below steps:
- Identify potential sources of disruptions or interference, such as too many walls between the router and TV.
- Restart the router and modem (see the next tip).
- Contact your internet provider to determine if there are any network issues or if an upgrade is required.
4. Restart Your Router and modem
It is likely that your local Wi-Fi network is the source of the issue, rather than the Starz app or your TV.
Rather than spending time trying to troubleshoot any issues on your network, it’s simpler to take a proactive approach and restart the entire system on a regular basis. Doing so at least once a month can help ensure your network remains in optimal condition.
Before you start, check if anyone in your household is currently using the internet. This reboot will temporarily disconnect all network and internet services for around five minutes.
Alright, let's begin:
- Disconnect the power cables from your modem and router.
- Pause for 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the power cables.
- Allow a few minutes for the modem and router to power up.
If the Starz app isn't working after your TV connects to the network again, try running another speed test. Restarting your router can help improve your speeds temporarily, but it may not resolve any underlying issues.
5. Perform Vizio TV Firmware Update
Firmware updates can be a great way to solve your TV app issues, just like any app updates.
Vizio SmartCast TVs come with an auto-update feature, but manual firmware updates can also be forced if needed. This is an extra step that shouldn't be necessary, but it is useful to have if the automatic update is disabled or fails without notification.
To update your TV:
- Press the V or Home button on your remote.
- Navigate to System in the menu.
- Select Check for Updates.
- Wait for the TV to scan, and confirm the installation of any available updates.
After updating the firmware, attempt to use the Starz app once more.
6. Clear Starz App Cache
Vizio TVs released more recently may not provide the option to upgrade or delete apps; however, they do offer the ability to clear an app's cache.
Resetting the app is similar to deleting the cookies in your web browser, and it can often fix random glitches.
- Press the V or Home button on your remote.
- Then select System from the menu.
- Go to Apps, then System Apps and select the Starz app.
- Click Clear Cache and press OK.
Give the Starz app another go.
7. Turn Off VPN if applicable
Most video applications and streaming services attempt to prevent VPN traffic. If Starz has succeeded in blocking your VPN, you probably won't be able to access your streaming content.
When you access Starz on Vizio Smart TV, the app needs to confirm that you're in an authorized region. When you're using a VPN, the app can't confirm your location.
To check this, the simplest solution is to deactivate the VPN and try reconnecting.
8. Check out Starz on a different device
The Starz app is available on many devices, including Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. If you're having trouble with the Starz app on your Vizio Smart TV, you can simply download the app to one of these other devices and stream your Starz content there.
To get started, simply download the Starz app from the app store for your chosen device. Once you've installed the app, you'll need to log in with your Starz login credentials. After you've logged in, you'll be able to access the same content that you would have if you were using the app on your Vizio Smart TV.
Of course, you'll need to have the device connected to the same Wi-Fi network that your Vizio Smart TV is connected to in order to access your Starz content. Additionally, you'll need to make sure that your chosen device is compatible with the Starz app.
But if Starz isn't working on any of your devices, the problem may be with your Starz account or with Starz's servers.
9. Find out the Status of the Starz Server
If you're experiencing difficulty accessing Starz, you can use Downdetector to check if other people in your area are having the same issue. Most of the time, outages with Starz are localized and get resolved quickly.
If you can't find anything on Downdetector, it's probably time to check Starz support Twitter page for a more up-to-date information.
10. Factory Reset Your TV to Its Original Settings
Performing a factory reset on your TV will delete all of its settings, including those for your Starz app.
You might be able to solve your streaming app issues by deleting all of the related settings and app data.
To reset your TV to its factory defaults:
- Press the V or Home button on your remote.
- Select System from the menu, go to Reset & Admin.
- Click Reset TV to Factory Defaults.
- Enter the parental code password (0000 if never set elsewhere) and press Reset.
- Then wait a few minutes for the TV to fully reset and come back on.
Try running the Starz app again to see if it resolves any software or firmware issues preventing it from running on your Vizio TV.