What does the star symbol on your Vizio TV remote mean?

Even though Vizio TVs are cheap for a reason, it’s certainly not because they lack features. With access to streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, you also get free on-demand content through WatchFree+. Of course, at the center of any Vizio Smart TV is its remote control, which can help users access a variety of quick playback and controls. Although many buttons on the remote seem simple, some can be confused by the Star button located in the same row as the Home button.

If you’re unfamiliar with the star symbol, it’s essentially Vizio’s version of a Quick Menu button, allowing users to quickly access a variety of commands. However, Vizio TV users may not need this button, as the company also lets you access this menu by holding down the OK button on some remotes. Note that the Quick Menu feature is available on Vizio Smart TV -H models or newer.

Vizio TVs are known for having features that owners can easily miss, but the Star label on a remote isn’t supposed to be one of them. Nonetheless, it can still be easy to overlook due to its ambiguous design pattern. If you want to save your favorite content or access and customize specific apps, knowing how to use this button can save you a few steps. We can also help you update your TV if you need this information.

Keep in mind that for this article, we’re exclusively reviewing the Vizio XRT19OR TV remote and the For example, the remotes have six different buttons to launch certain apps, while users can also control on-screen items using the navigation wheel.

Users can also control the TV volume with the side volume buttons, and the power button is located in the upper right corner. With the quick menu, users have several options. When you’re streaming certain content, you can use the Star button to save certain items to your watch list. Users can also hover over apps in an app row to personalize that row or learn more about the app.

For those with Vizio TVs that predate the Quick Menu’s arrival in May 2024, your TV may have already been updated to include this feature (provided the TV is connected to the internet). However, be aware that you cannot access this quick menu with a universal remote or via the mobile app remote. If you need to check for a software update on your Vizio TV, press the Menu button, go to Admin & Privacy, then select Check for updates. Just be aware that newer Vizio TVs may also require creating a Walmart account.