How To Remove Youtube App From Vizio Smart TV

You cannot completely remove the YouTube app from a Vizio Smart TV because it is a pre-installed system application. The only way to effectively remove the YouTube app from a Vizio Smart TV is to block it using parental controls or your home router, as the app itself cannot be deleted from the TV's firmware.

Can you remove the YouTube app from a Vizio Smart TV?

No. The YouTube app is preloaded on most Vizio SmartCast TVs and is considered a built-in application. Unlike third-party apps you download from the app store, pre-installed apps like YouTube cannot be uninstalled or deleted from the system. Attempting to remove it through the TV's menu will not work because the option to delete is not available. This is a limitation of the operating system, not a setting you can change.

How to block YouTube using Vizio TV parental controls

Since you cannot delete the app, the most direct method to restrict access is to use the TV's built-in parental control system. This method blocks the app by requiring a PIN code to open it.

1. Press the Menu or Settings button on your Vizio remote.
2. Navigate to the System or Parental Controls section of the settings menu.
3. Locate the option to set or change the parental control PIN. If no PIN has been set, you will need to create one.
4. Find the App Blocking or App Lock feature within the parental controls menu.
5. Select the YouTube app from the list of installed applications.
6. Enable the block or lock setting for the YouTube app. This will require the PIN you set to be entered before anyone can open YouTube.

Once this is done, the YouTube icon will remain visible on the home screen, but it will be inaccessible without the PIN. This is the closest you can get to removing apps from a smart TV without affecting other system functions.

How to block YouTube on your router

If you want a more comprehensive block that works even if someone bypasses the TV's parental controls, you can block YouTube at the network level. This prevents the TV from connecting to YouTube's servers entirely.

1. Find the Parental Controls, Access Restrictions, or Firewall settings section.
2. Locate the option to block specific websites or services. Enter youtube.com in the blocked domain list.
3. Alternatively, find the MAC Address Filtering section. You will need the MAC address of your Vizio Smart TV, which is usually found in the TV's Settings under Network or About.
4. Add the TV's MAC address to a block list. This will prevent the TV from accessing any internet services, including YouTube.
5. Save the settings and restart your router and TV to apply the changes.

Blocking at the router level is a powerful way to remove YouTube from a smart TV because it stops the app from loading any content, making it effectively unusable.

What happens if you factory reset your Vizio TV?

A factory reset will restore the TV to its original out-of-box state. This means all custom settings, including any parental control blocks you have set, will be erased. The YouTube app, however, will still be present on the TV because it is a pre-installed application. A factory reset does not delete the app; it simply resets the TV's software, and the app will reappear as it was when you first bought the TV. You will then need to reapply any parental control or router blocks if you want to restrict access again.

Alternative ways to watch YouTube on your Vizio TV

If you decide you do want to watch YouTube on a Vizio smart TV after blocking the built-in app, or if you want a separate experience that you can manage more easily, consider these methods:

• Casting from a phone or tablet: Use the YouTube app on your mobile device and select the Cast icon. Your Vizio TV should appear as a casting target. This streams the video directly from your phone, bypassing the TV's built-in app entirely.
• Using an external streaming stick: Connect a device like a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV to your Vizio TV's HDMI port. These devices have their own YouTube app that you can install, update, or remove independently from the TV's built-in system.

These alternatives give you full control over the YouTube experience without relying on the pre-installed app that you cannot delete.

Frequently asked questions

Can I reinstall the YouTube app after blocking it?

Since the app is pre-installed and cannot be removed, there is nothing to reinstall. If you have blocked it using parental controls, you can simply go back into the settings and disable the block. If you blocked it at the router level, you can remove the block from your router's settings.

Will blocking the app delete my YouTube account?

No. Blocking the app on your TV or router only prevents the TV from accessing YouTube. Your YouTube account and all your subscriptions, playlists, and watch history remain intact on other devices and on YouTube's servers.

Can I manage other pre-installed apps the same way?

Yes. Most pre-installed apps on a Vizio Smart TV cannot be uninstalled, but they can be blocked using the same parental control method described above. You can also block them at the router level if you prefer a network-wide solution.