Skip to main content
Boo Radley
Avid Contributor I
October 24, 2019
Question

Can no longer turn OFF Vizio TV with Google Assistant and Sonos Amp over HDMI ARC

I honestly don’t know if this is an Assistant problem, a Vizio problem or a Sonos problem but figured I’d post here since you all are such a great community.

I have a Vizio 55” P Series 4K UHD TV hooked up over HDMI ARC to a Sonos Amp and controlled over Google Assistant (activated via Sonos Ones set-up as rear speakers)

Until recently, I could turn the TV off and on via Google Assistant. Now, I can only seem to turn it ON. In both cases, assistant responds to the command in the affirmative but the TV doesn’t turn OFF when I say off.

I suspect it could be the Sonos component because it responds that the Sonos TV Den Control is the one responding despite there being a Chromecast built-in to the TV also.

I have confirmed CEC is enabled.  I can’t remember exactly when this started but it used to work perfectly well. I have tried hard rebooting the TV.

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

      This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

      20 replies

      AjTrek1
      AjTrek1
      October 24, 2019

      Hi Boo Radley

      Overtime the HDMI (CEC) connection may get loss or only work sporadically requiring a new “hand shake” between devices. Try the following:

      • Check you TV for updates
      • Unplug the TV from the electrical outlet for 30 seconds *
      • Unplug the Sonos AMP for 30 seconds *
      • Plug in the Sonos Amp let it come back
      • Plug in your TV
      • Check your commands

      Let us know how things sort out.  Cheers!

       * The 30 seconds can run concurrently 

      Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
      Boo RadleyAuthor
      Avid Contributor I
      October 24, 2019

      No dice. One thing I’m noticing is that when I say “turn the TV off” its saying “turning off Sonos Den” rather than the TV itself. I can remember whether this was always the case or not. It continues to work fine when turning it on. Not sure what’s changed.

       

      AjTrek1
      AjTrek1
      October 24, 2019

      If TV is part of the room designation for the Den then remove it as Alexa/Google is confused.

      Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
      Ken_Griffiths
      Ken_Griffiths
      October 25, 2019

      No dice. One thing I’m noticing is that when I say “turn the TV off” its saying “turning off Sonos Den” rather than the TV itself. I can remember whether this was always the case or not. It continues to work fine when turning it on. Not sure what’s changed.

       

      Give the Sonos TV Den control a nickname of either 'TV’ or ‘Vizio TV’ In the Google App … whichever you prefer. You can do that by opening your Google assistant profile/settings icon and navigating to the Assistant Tab/Home Control.

      Give it a moment, or so, after assigning the nickname.

      Then try this … “Hey Google, switch off the TV” or “Hey Google, switch off the Vizio TV”, (depending on the chosen nickname).

      Boo RadleyAuthor
      Avid Contributor I
      October 25, 2019

      Hmm so I see two devices and in my Den. One appears to be the Chromecast that is built into the TV and the other is this. This is what responds whenever I see any related to turning off the TV in the Den but nothing actually happens 

       

       

      AjTrek1
      AjTrek1
      October 25, 2019

      Thanks for the visual. Just as I thought. TV is being duplicated in naming convention. To avoid this I suggest changing “TV” to “Video” or “Screen” or “Panel”.  Vizio may be a bit of a tongue twister for google to understand 😀. But you can try it if you like.

      Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
      Boo RadleyAuthor
      Avid Contributor I
      October 25, 2019

      Sorry so what is the goal here? Which device should be responsible for turning the TV on and off?

      Ken_Griffiths
      Ken_Griffiths
      October 25, 2019

      Sorry so what is the goal here? Which device should be responsible for turning the TV on and off?

      Both of them, you just have to give them a different name. It’s a restriction of Google and Alexa too.

      Just as an example, my TV has these things controlling it with Alexa..

      • Harmony Hub skill
      • LG TV Smarthinq skill
      • Sonos Skill
      • Yonomi Skill

      I use different names, like these, for example... TV, LG TV, Living Room TV, Television. Just use the correct name for the device you wish to control the TV.

       

      AjTrek1
      AjTrek1
      October 25, 2019

      To add to KG’s post. If you want to use the word TV in conjunction multiple devices you’ll have be very specific. For example: “Hey, google turn off Vizio TV” not just” Hey google turn off TV” 

      I use Alexa and namedvmy TV “LG”. So my command is “Alexa, turn on LG” and “Alexa, turn off LG”.

       

      Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
      Boo RadleyAuthor
      Avid Contributor I
      October 25, 2019

      I see. What should happen when the Sonos TV Control Den responds to the Turn Off request? Doesn’t seem to have any effect whereas turning it ON does indeed turn the TV on.

      Show more replies
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement