Troubleshooting VLC Crashes on Hisense TV: 7 Fixes

I recently had a frustrating experience when my VLC media player kept crashing on my Hisense TV. It was a real buzzkill when I was trying to binge-watch my favorite shows.

So, I decided to roll up my sleeves and figure out what was causing the issue.

In this blog post, we’ve explored seven effective solutions to resolve VLC media player crashes on your Hisense TV.

Here’s a quick summary of the fixes:

1. Update VLC: Ensure you’re using the latest version of VLC by accessing the “Apps” section on your TV and selecting the VLC app for an update.
2. Check Media Files: Test different media files to rule out compatibility issues or corruption as the cause of VLC crashes.
3. Clear VLC Cache: Clearing the cache within VLC can help eliminate temporary files that may be causing crashes.
4. Adjust VLC Settings: Fine-tune VLC settings, especially those related to hardware acceleration, to make sure they are compatible with your TV’s hardware.
5. Check TV Firmware: Keep your Hisense TV’s firmware up-to-date by checking for and installing any available updates in the TV’s settings.
6. Test on Other Devices: If issues persist, try running VLC on a different device to determine whether the problem is specific to your TV.

1. Update Your VLC Media Player

First things first – let’s make sure you have the latest version of VLC installed. Outdated software can often lead to compatibility issues with newer devices like smart TVs. Here’s how you can update VLC:

• Step 1: Navigate to the “Apps” section on your Hisense TV. You can usually find it in the main menu.
• Step 2: Locate the VLC Media Player app and select it.
• Step 3: If an update is available, you’ll see an option for “Update” or “Upgrade.” Click on it.
• Step 4: Wait for the update to download and install. This might take a few minutes, depending on your internet speed.
• Step 5: Once the update is complete, open VLC and see if the crashing issue persists.

Updating VLC should fix many common bugs and improve its overall performance, making it more compatible with your Hisense TV.

2. Check Your Media Files

Sometimes, VLC crashes can be caused by corrupted or incompatible media files. Let’s make sure that’s not the issue.

• Step 1: Open VLC on your Hisense TV.
• Step 2: Instead of playing a video right away, go to the “Media” menu, and select “Open File.
• Step 3: Browse your media files and choose a different video or audio file that you haven’t played before.
• Step 4: Play the new file and check if VLC crashes. If it doesn’t, the problem likely lies with your previous media files.
• Step 5: To resolve this, make sure your media files are in a format that VLC supports. Common formats include MP4, MKV, AVI, and MP3. You can also try converting or repairing corrupted files using third-party software.

If VLC still crashes even with different media files, consider performing a clean reinstall of VLC on your Hisense TV. Sometimes, a fresh installation can solve lingering issues.

3. Clear VLC Cache on Your Hisense TV

Sometimes, VLC crashes on Hisense TV due to accumulated cache files. Clearing these files can often resolve the issue. Here’s how you can do it:

• Step 1: Open VLC on your Hisense TV.
• Step 2: Navigate to the “Settings” menu, typically found in the upper-right or lower-right corner of the screen.
• Step 3: In the settings menu, go to “Advanced Settings” or “Preferences.”
• Step 4: Look for the option that allows you to clear the cache. This might be labeled as “Clear Cache” or “Delete Cache.
• Step 5: Confirm the action to clear the cache, and VLC will remove any temporary files that might be causing crashes.
• Step 6: After clearing the cache, restart VLC and see if the crashing issue has been resolved.

Clearing the cache can free up valuable storage space and may eliminate any corrupted cache files that could be causing VLC to crash.

4. Check Your TV’s Firmware

Sometimes, the issue might not be with VLC but with your Hisense TV’s firmware. Outdated or buggy firmware can cause compatibility issues with various apps, including VLC. Here’s how to check and update your TV’s firmware:

• Step 1: Go to the “Settings” menu on your Hisense TV.
• Step 2: Look for an option related to “System” or “Device Preferences.”
• Step 3: In the system settings, find “Software Update” or “Firmware Update.
• Step 4: If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
• Step 5: Once the firmware update is complete, restart your TV.

Outdated firmware can lead to compatibility issues with apps, so keeping your TV’s software up-to-date is essential.

5. Adjust VLC Settings

If VLC continues to misbehave on your Hisense TV, it might be due to certain settings that aren’t compatible with your TV’s hardware. Here’s how to tweak VLC’s settings:

• Step 1: Open VLC on your Hisense TV.
• Step 2: Navigate to the “Settings” or “Preferences” menu.
• Step 3: Look for options related to hardware acceleration. This setting can sometimes cause crashes if it’s not configured correctly.
• Step 4: Try disabling hardware acceleration or selecting a different acceleration method, depending on your TV’s capabilities.
• Step 5: Save the settings and restart VLC.

Tweaking VLC settings, especially those related to hardware acceleration, can help resolve compatibility issues with your Hisense TV.

6. Check for TV Firmware Updates

In addition to keeping your VLC software up to date, it’s crucial to ensure your Hisense TV’s firmware is current. TV manufacturers often release firmware updates to address compatibility issues and bugs. Here’s how to check for firmware updates:

• Step 1: Access your Hisense TV’s “Settings” menu.
• Step 2: Find the “System” or “Device Preferences” section.
• Step 3: Look for a “Software Update” or “Firmware Update” option.
• Step 4: If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
• Step 5: After the update is complete, restart your TV.

Updating your TV’s firmware can potentially resolve issues related to app compatibility, including VLC crashes.

7. Test VLC on Other Devices

If you’ve exhausted all the above fixes and still face VLC crashes on your Hisense TV, it’s time to do some detective work. Try running VLC on another device, like a computer or smartphone. If VLC works without crashing on a different device, the issue might be specific to your TV. In that case, it could be a good idea to reach out to Hisense’s customer support or forums to check if there are any known issues or specific recommendations for your TV model.

Remember, technology can be finicky, but with a bit of patience and troubleshooting, you can get VLC running smoothly on your Hisense TV again.