The basic connection process

A Vizio subwoofer connects to a Vizio soundbar wirelessly in most cases, using the same frequency the soundbar uses to talk to your TV. You do not need to plug anything into the subwoofer except power — the soundbar and subwoofer find each other automatically when you turn them both on for the first time, or you can pair them manually if that does not happen.

The exact steps depend on whether your soundbar is a newer model with Bluetooth and WiFi, or an older model that uses only a wireless connection. Both methods work the same way in practice: turn on the soundbar, turn on the subwoofer, and wait 30 seconds to two minutes for them to connect. If they do not connect on their own, you can force them to pair using a button on the back of the subwoofer or through the Vizio SmartCast app on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Vizio subwoofers connect wirelessly to soundbars without any cables between them — only the subwoofer power cord is required.
  • Most subwoofers pair automatically when both devices are powered on, but you may need to press the pairing button on the subwoofer if they do not connect within two minutes.
  • The pairing button is usually on the back of the subwoofer near the power input, and holding it for three to five seconds puts the subwoofer into pairing mode.
  • If your soundbar has the SmartCast app, you can also pair the subwoofer through the app instead of using the physical button.

Automatic pairing when you first set up

When you unbox a new Vizio soundbar and subwoofer together, they often come pre-paired from the factory. Plug in the soundbar, plug in the subwoofer, turn them both on, and they should connect within 30 seconds to two minutes. You will hear a chime or see a light on the subwoofer change color — usually from red to blue or green — when the connection is complete.

If you bought the soundbar and subwoofer at different times, or if the subwoofer was previously paired to a different soundbar, you will need to manually pair them. This is also the fix if they were paired before but have lost connection — which can happen if the subwoofer was unplugged for a long time or if the soundbar was factory reset.

Manual pairing using the subwoofer button

Look at the back of the Vizio subwoofer near the power input. You will see a small button labeled "Pairing" or sometimes just "Pair". With both the soundbar and subwoofer powered on, hold down this button for three to five seconds until you see the light on the subwoofer blink or change color. This puts the subwoofer into pairing mode, and it will search for the soundbar for about two minutes.

During this time, the soundbar should detect the subwoofer automatically. You will see the light on the subwoofer stop blinking and settle on a steady color — usually blue or green — when they are connected. If the light goes red or turns off, the pairing failed and you should try again. Make sure both devices are within 30 feet of each other and that there are no large metal objects or thick walls between them.

Pairing through the SmartCast app

If your Vizio soundbar supports the SmartCast app, you can pair the subwoofer through your phone instead of using the physical button. read the SmartCast app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, open it, and select your soundbar from the list of devices. Look for a "Subwoofer" or "Pairing" option in the settings menu.

Tap the option to pair a subwoofer, and the app will walk you through the process. Make sure the subwoofer is powered on and within range. The app will search for the subwoofer and connect it when found. This method is useful if the pairing button on the back of your subwoofer is hard to reach or if you prefer to control everything from your phone.

Troubleshooting when the subwoofer will not connect

If the subwoofer still will not pair after trying the button method, try unplugging both the soundbar and subwoofer for 30 seconds, then plug them back in and wait for them to boot up. Sometimes a power cycle clears out a connection problem. Make sure you are holding the pairing button long enough — three to five seconds is the standard, but some models need up to ten seconds.

Check the distance between the soundbar and subwoofer. If they are more than 30 feet apart, or if there is a thick wall or large metal object between them, the wireless signal may not reach. Move them closer together and try pairing again. If you have other wireless devices in the room — like a WiFi router, microwave, or cordless phone — they can sometimes interfere with the connection. Try pairing in a different room to see if that helps.

If the subwoofer was previously paired to a different soundbar, it may still be trying to connect to the old one. Hold the pairing button for ten to fifteen seconds until the light blinks rapidly, which usually means you are clearing the old pairing. Then try pairing to your current soundbar using the normal three to five second button press.

What to do if you have an older Vizio soundbar

Older Vizio soundbars use a proprietary wireless connection instead of Bluetooth or WiFi, but the pairing process is the same. Turn on both devices, hold the pairing button on the subwoofer for three to five seconds, and wait for the connection light to turn steady. The main difference is that you cannot use the SmartCast app to pair — you must use the physical button on the back of the subwoofer.

If you are not sure whether your soundbar is old or new, check the model number on the back. Models from 2015 and earlier usually do not have app support, while models from 2016 onward often do. You can also look at the back of the soundbar — if you see a WiFi symbol or Bluetooth symbol printed on it, the app method should work.

Checking that the subwoofer is actually connected

Once the subwoofer light is steady and blue or green, the connection is complete. To confirm it is working, play some music or a movie through your soundbar and listen for bass coming from the subwoofer. If you hear low frequencies — like explosions, thunder, or the bass line in a song — the subwoofer is receiving the signal and working correctly.

If the light is steady but you hear no bass from the subwoofer, check the volume level on the subwoofer itself. There is usually a dial or buttons on the back or bottom of the subwoofer to adjust the volume. Turn it up a few notches and try playing audio again. If you still hear nothing, the subwoofer may be muted or the soundbar may not be sending bass to it — try unplugging and repairing both devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Vizio subwoofer with a non-Vizio soundbar?

Most Vizio subwoofers only work with Vizio soundbars because they use Vizio's proprietary wireless connection. Some newer Vizio subwoofers with Bluetooth may work with other brands, but this is not may provide. Check your subwoofer manual or contact Vizio support to confirm compatibility before trying to pair it with a different brand.

How far away can the subwoofer be from the soundbar?

Vizio subwoofers typically work within 30 feet of the soundbar, though the range can be shorter if there are walls or large metal objects between them. For best performance, keep the subwoofer in the same room as the soundbar or in an adjacent room with a clear line of sight.

What if the subwoofer keeps losing connection?

If the subwoofer disconnects and reconnects frequently, try moving it closer to the soundbar or away from other wireless devices like routers and microwaves. You can also try unplugging both devices for a full minute, then plugging them back in and repairing them. If the problem continues, the subwoofer may have a hardware issue and may need to be replaced.

Do I need to pair the subwoofer every time I turn it on?

No. Once the subwoofer and soundbar are paired, they remember each other. The next time you turn them on, they will reconnect automatically within a minute or two. You only need to manually pair them again if they lose connection or if you want to pair the subwoofer to a different soundbar.

Can I pair multiple subwoofers to one soundbar?

Most Vizio soundbars only support one subwoofer at a time. If you try to pair a second subwoofer, it will usually disconnect the first one. Check your soundbar manual to confirm, as some newer models may support multiple subwoofers, but this is not standard.