Why Do DVR Boxes Fail So Frequently?

DVRs have revolutionized the way people watch TV, but DVR failures can cause frustration.

DVRs have revolutionized the way people watch TV. With a DVR recording all your favorite programs, you no longer have to plan your schedule around your family's TV viewing. If it's working properly, your DVR keeps you from missing your favorite shows. Unfortunately, DVRs don't always work as they should. A DVR failure can be very frustrating. If you know the common causes of DVR failures, you can take steps to prevent or troubleshoot yours if it gives you trouble.

Hard Drive

One of the most common reasons a DVR may give you trouble is a faulty hard drive. Like a computer's hard drive, the drive inside your DVR is subject to the normal wear and tear of everyday use. Over time, the disk can become damaged. A hard drive failure can also occur if your DVR isn't kept in a well-ventilated area. The drive can overheat and fail if it doesn't have room to breathe.

Connections

Sometimes, DVR failure is caused by the connections to the unit. Check the power going to the back of the DVR. Make sure it is connected tightly. Do the same with the HDMI cable or any audio and video cables you normally connect to the DVR. If you call customer service for troubleshooting, they will ask you to check the tightness of your connections before performing any other troubleshooting.

Telephone

Not all DVRs require a telephone connection to operate. If yours does, however, the telephone could be the source of the trouble. Check for a dial tone to ensure your telephone service is working. Then follow the manufacturer's directions to verify that your telephone connection to the DVR is tight and in the right place.

Programming

When you subscribe to a cable or satellite service, your provider sends the programming data to your DVR. If you get an error message saying that you can't access a specific channel or program, check with your provider. You may not subscribe to that channel, or your DVR may need to be refreshed with updated programming information to correct the problem.

Remote

If your DVR fails to respond to commands from the remote, the remote itself may be the culprit of your trouble. Try changing the batteries. If that doesn't work, try moving a little closer to the unit and pointing the remote directly at the DVR's censor. If it still doesn't work, try replacing the remote to see if a new one solves the problem.

References

• DVR Troubleshooting Techniques