Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2025	Mar. 31, 2024
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net loss attributable to Vistra	$ (268)	$ (35)
Less cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock	(49)	(49)
Net loss attributable to Vistra common stock	(317)	(84)
Net loss attributable to Vistra common stock	$ (317)	$ (84)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - basic (in shares)	339,799,989	348,966,197
Dilutive securities - stock-based incentive compensation plan	0	0
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - diluted (in shares)	339,799,989	348,966,197
Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding:
Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding - basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.93)	$ (0.24)
Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.93)	$ (0.24)
Series A Preferred Stock
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Less cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock	$ (20)	$ (20)
Series B Preferred Stock
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Less cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock	(18)	(18)
Series C Preferred Stock
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Less cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock	$ (11)	$ (11)