8 Ways to Block YouTube on Your Vizio Smart TV 📺

So, you’ve got a Vizio Smart TV and you’re tired of the never-ending YouTube marathons that seem to be taking over your living room?

We feel you!

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Sometimes, you just need to hit pause on all those cat videos and recipe demos.

Lucky for you, we’ve got the lowdown on four nifty ways to block YouTube on your Vizio Smart TV.

Let’s dive in and take back control of your TV time!

Method 1: Built-in Parental Controls

Difficulty Level: 🟢 Easy

Vizio knows that family time matters, and that’s why they’ve got your back with built-in parental controls. Here’s how you can use them to give YouTube the boot:

1. Access the Menu: Grab your Vizio remote and press the “Menu” button.
2. Navigate to System: Scroll down using the arrow keys until you reach the “System” option. Press OK.
3. Choose Parental Controls: Scroll down again to find “Parental Controls” and press OK.
4. Set a PIN: You’ll need to set a 4-digit PIN code to access the parental controls. Choose something memorable but not too obvious!
5. Block YouTube: Inside the parental controls, you can restrict access to apps and websites. Find YouTube in the list, toggle it off, and voilà – YouTube’s on lockdown!

Method 2: Router Magic

Difficulty Level: 🟡 Moderate

If you want to go all-out and block YouTube from every device connected to your Wi-Fi, this method is your golden ticket:

1. Access Your Router: Open a web browser on your computer and type in your router’s IP address. Usually, it’s something like 192.168.1.1. Check your router’s manual if you’re not sure.
2. Login: Enter your router’s username and password. If you’ve never changed these, you might find them on a sticker on the router itself.
3. Find URL Filtering: Somewhere in the router settings, you should spot an option called “URL Filtering” or “Website Blocking.”
4. Add YouTube to the Blocklist: In the URL Filtering section, add “youtube.com” to the list of blocked websites.
5. Save Changes: Don’t forget to save your changes! Once that’s done, anyone connected to your Wi-Fi won’t be able to access YouTube – at least until you change the settings again.

Method 3: Smart TV App Removal

Difficulty Level: 🟠 Intermediate

If you’re up for a bit of tinkering, you can remove the YouTube app from your Vizio Smart TV altogether:

1. Press the V Button: On your remote, press the V button to open the app row.
2. Highlight YouTube: Use the arrow keys to highlight the YouTube app.
3. Press the Yellow Button: Once YouTube is highlighted, press the yellow “Edit” button.
4. Delete the App: A menu will pop up. Select “Delete App” and confirm.
5. Revel in App-Free Bliss: Say goodbye to YouTube! Just remember, if you ever want it back, you’ll have to reinstall it.

Method 4: DNS Wizardry

Difficulty Level: 🔴 Advanced

If you’re a tech wizard looking to flex your skills, you can consider changing the DNS settings to block YouTube:

1. Access Network Settings: Using your Vizio remote, go to Menu > Network > Network Connection.
2. Choose Manual Setup: Opt for manual setup instead of automatic.
3. Play with DNS: You’ll see fields for primary and secondary DNS. Change these to custom DNS addresses that block YouTube. OpenDNS and CleanBrowsing offer such services.
4. Save and Restart: Save your changes and restart your TV. The new DNS settings should take effect.
5. Brace for Impact: Be ready for some trial and error. DNS settings can be finicky, and you might have to fine-tune things to get the desired result.

Method 5: Guest Network Gambit

Difficulty Level: 🟣 Advanced

If your router supports guest networks, this method lets you create a separate network for guests while keeping YouTube off limits for them:

1. Access Router Settings: Log in to your router settings just like in Method 2.
2. Enable Guest Network: Look for the option to enable a guest network. This network will have its own name and password.
3. Filter YouTube: In the router settings, set up content filtering for the guest network and block YouTube.
4. Share Guest Network: When guests come over, give them the details for the guest network. They can surf away, but YouTube will be off the menu.

Method 6: App Password Protection

Difficulty Level: 🟢 Easy

Don’t want to block YouTube for everyone? Just make sure no one can open it without your permission:

1. Access App Settings: On your Vizio TV, navigate to the “Settings” menu.
2. Choose Apps: Find the “Apps” or “Application” option and select it.
3. Select YouTube: Scroll through the list of installed apps and select YouTube.
4. Set App Lock: Look for an option to set an app lock or password. Choose a code only you know.
5. Enjoy Controlled Access: Now, whenever someone tries to open YouTube, they’ll need to enter the password. You’re the gatekeeper!

Method 7: Time-Based Blocking

Difficulty Level: 🟡 Moderate

Want to limit YouTube usage to specific times of the day? This method lets you take control over when YouTube is accessible:

1. Router Time Settings: Head back into your router settings.
2. Find Time Controls: Look for an option related to time controls, usually under parental controls.
3. Set Time Restrictions: Configure time restrictions for YouTube – for example, you could block it from 9 PM to 7 AM.
4. Save Settings: Save your changes and let the router do the rest. YouTube will only be available during the times you’ve set.

Method 8: Professional Help

Difficulty Level: 🔵 Expert

If you’re not keen on getting your hands dirty with settings, consider using third-party parental control software:

1. Research Software: Look for parental control apps or software that are compatible with Vizio Smart TVs.
2. Install and Set Up: Install the chosen software on your TV and follow the setup instructions.
3. Customize Settings: Use the software’s interface to customize restrictions, including blocking YouTube.
4. Stay Updated: Keep the software updated to ensure it remains effective in blocking content.