How to Troubleshoot DIRECTV With a TiVo Receiver

So you want to troubleshoot DIRECTV with a TiVo receiver? There are a couple of things you can do on your own to see what the problem is and perhaps fix it before you call technical support. However, if the problem lies with your box or the dish, you will probably wind up with someone at your house to help out. Read on to learn more about how to troubleshoot DIRECTV with a TiVo receiver.

Things You'll Need

• The original remote that came with the receiver

Instructions

1. Understand that 95 percent of any problem that pertain to electronics can be solved by simply unplugging the unit for about 90 seconds, then plugging it back in. Do this, maybe two or three times, before proceeding.

2. If you are still having problems, press the "Menu" button on your remote, and enter the setup menu. If you have one of the newer boxes, you will be able to click on "Info" and "Test," then move the cursor over to system test, and click "Run Test."

3. If your tuners one and two come back with 70 percent or better results, your dish and connections are fine. If either come back somewhere between 1 percent and say 60 percent, then the problem lies with your dish. Most people have these dishes installed on the roof, so it is not recommend trying to fix this yourself. Call a technician. However, if you can adjust it yourself, go to the satellite and antenna setup area, and click on "View Signal Strength." Have someone adjust the dish while someone watches the signal strength. Keep adjusting until the strength exceeds 70 percent.

4. If either tuner one or two comes back at 0 percent, the problem usually lies with the wiring (although there could be a solid object between your dish and the sky). Check the back of the satellite box, and make sure both wires are firmly attached. If they are, it is recommend that you call a technician, since the next logical point to check is at the dish, or at the satellite splitter if you have one. If you can check these two areas safely, do so and make sure all the connections are solid. If they are, call a technician.

Tips & Warnings

• When in doubt, call for help, particularly if it involves getting up on the roof.

• If you decide to adjust the dish yourself, realize that you need to move it in very small increments. Satellites are thousands of miles into space, and moving the dish even an inch to the right would represent pointing it hundreds of miles in a different direction in terms of the satellite connection.