Tips & Troubleshooting
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Troubleshooting
Many problems can be corrected by performing a simple reset of the digital satellite receiver. If you experience the
following:
•
Image freezes
•
Audio freezes
•
Blank screen
•
Won’t respond to front panel or remote
try this: press and hold the INFO and right arrow buttons for at least three seconds. If the problems persist, try unplugging
the digital satellite receiver for five minutes and then plugging it in again.
Running the System Test (later in this section) can also help you diagnose and solve many common problems.
Temporary Satellite Signal Loss
If you lose the satellite signal temporarily, the problem can usually be traced to one of these points:
•
Rain Fade
—Rain fade is a normal, temporary loss of a satellite signal due to the inability of the satellite signal to
penetrate unusually heavy, rain-filled clouds, rainfall, or snowfall. Rain fade tends to be brief, lasting only as long as the
heavy cloud condition persists.
To minimize rain fade effects, maximize your signal strength. Then, when rain fade occurs, you have the best chances of
having a signal that is still strong enough to view.
Make sure the DIRECTV dish is mounted securely. The strong winds that often accompany heavy rainstorms can move
the dish out of position if it is not mounted securely.
Also, heavy/wet snow and ice buildup on the DIRECTV dish can block the satellite signal until the buildup is removed.
•
Overheated Components
—The satellite receiver must receive adequate ventilation to work safely and properly. If the
receiver overheats, the satellite signal may deteriorate until adequate ventilation is restored. Do not stack VCRs or
other components on top of the satellite receiver.
Wrong picture
The digital satellite receiver and most VCRs let you toggle between signals. If you don’t see the signal you think you should
be seeing, try using these buttons to toggle between the signals:
•
Press the TV/VCR button on the VCR remote or on the VCR’s front panel.
•
Press the ANTENNA button on the remote control.
Taking either of the above actions lets you switch the source of the video signal from satellite signals to the off-air antenna
or cable signal, and vice versa.
•
You may not have installed your satellite dish antenna properly.
Refer to the dish pointing instructions in the Menu section of this book and the installation guide that came with your
satellite dish antenna.
Interactive TV
Tune to the DIRECTV INTERACTIVE™ Center (channel 499) and select
Help & Settings.