How to Program DirecTV Cards

Upgrade your satellite receiver.

DirecTV receivers require you to use a receiver access card. This card (roughly the size of a credit card) contains information that unscrambles the satellite reception, allowing your television to display the programming. If you are using a new satellite access card, you must make sure it programs into the DirecTV receiver correctly. If not, you are left with scrambled programming that cannot be viewed.

Things You'll Need

• DirecTV receiver
• Access card

Instructions

1. Contact DirecTV (1-888-777-2454) for an upgraded access card. New cards come out every few years (or when you upgrade your service package).

2. Open the access card slot located on the front of the receiver and power down the device.

3. Look at the access card. There is an arrow pointing in the direction that enters the receiver first. You want the metallic strip of the card to face down. Slide the card into the receiver, then power it back on.

4. Wait for the receiver to boot up completely. Once it does, it detects the new access card. Allow the receiver to scan the card and begin programming itself off of the information contained on the card. After a few minutes, standard programming resumes on the television screen.

References

• DirecTV: Access Card