What can I do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fault'?
How to Reset a Sky Digibox when 'No Signal' appears.
Reset method 1 - Delete and Rescan
- Turn the power off at the mains socket. Either do this by pulling the plug from the socket, or using a power switch if there is one.
- Remove the viewing card from the machine. Using a dry cloth or kitchen roll, clean the gold connector on the reverse of the card. Do not use any cleaning products.
- Check cables and connectors are in good order.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds.
- With the card still out of the machine, plug the Digibox back into the mains.
- Ignore all the messages, and wait for around a minute.
- Try 101 for BBC One, 102 for BBC Two and 103 for ITV-1.
- Insert viewing card, wait a few seconds.
- Check 104 for Channel 4 and 105 for five.
Reset Method 2 - Reset the LNB
If the above method does not work, the LNB may have a fault.
- Press the [SERVICES] button and then press [4] [0] [1] then [SELECT]
On Sky HD, press the [SERVICES] button and then press [0] [0] [1] then [SELECT]
Press the buttons in the sequence above exactly - do not atttempt to use [UP] or [DOWN]. Note that when you press the second 0 and 1 nothing happens on the screen until you press the final [SELECT]. This is a "hidden menu".
- Then press [1] to go to the RF output menu.
- Press [DOWN] three times to highlight the line 22Khz Command and then press [RIGHT] to change the value to [OFF].
- Press [DOWN] and [SELECT] to select Save New Settings.
- Press [SKY].
- Again press [SERVICES], [4], [0], [1], [SELECT]; then [1] again for the LNB Menu. (SERVICES 0 0 1 SELECT for Sky HD).
- Now press the [RED] button (reset all settings), then [DOWN] until you can select Save New Settings again.
- Press [SKY].
Reset Method 3 - Upgrade the system software
If there are still problems:
- Turn the Digibox off at the mains again and remove the viewing card.
- Whilst holding down the BACKUP key on the Digibox - NOT ON THE REMOTE - turn the mains power on.
- Keep hold of BACKUP until the screen displays a "UPGRADING SYSTEM SOFTWARE" message – this will be white text on a black screen. On some boxes this can appear as a half screen.
- Wait 10 to 20 minutes for the software to download and install. The box will restart when the process is complete.
- Ignore all the messages, and wait for around a minute.
- Try 101 for BBC One, 102 for BBC Two and 103 for ITV-1.
- Insert viewing card, wait a few seconds.
- Check 104 for Channel 4 and 105 for five.
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Kenneth Lea: Indoor aerials are not suitable for reliable Freeview reception.
The best thing to do is to connect your set to the working rooftop aerial. BandarSunday 23 October 2011 8:43AM
Thanx mate,
I have one question, what about if I need to use the box in the middle east, I mean ( I do not need to watch the SKY channels, i just would like to use the box to view local channels)
RegardsBandar: You would save yourself endless grief if you used a "generic" satellite receiver that is much more suitable and quite inexpensive. Neil TateTuesday 25 October 2011 4:37PM
Which is the back up button on the HD box?Neil Tate: I thought it had "backup" written on it? ThomasSaturday 29 October 2011 8:42PM
Thanks KB Aerials Sheffield and jb38!
There is a cable coiled outside of our balcony. I just thought, as there is the dish, which the previous owner as it seems no longer needed, I would just try Freesat.
I will try a Freesat box and then see how it goes.
Thanks, really good website by the way; I got a lot out of it already!
ThomasrfgilesSunday 30 October 2011 6:40PM
sky + box will not go from red to green I have removed and wiped card with the power offjb38Sunday 30 October 2011 7:22PM
rfgiles: Re-set the box by removing the mains plug for about 30 seconds or so before re-connecting it, then once it starts to respond to the remote control let it go through the usual finding channels procedure.
It doesn't matter if the card is out or in when doing this.
NedbodWednesday 2 November 2011 12:54AM
What can I do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fault'?
Simple buy a FREESAT box and save youself a shed load of money !!!!Isabel MorrisWednesday 2 November 2011 2:10PM
We live in Malta, is it possible to get free to air channels in Malta? and if so can you give me the channel set up frequency?LisaSaturday 5 November 2011 6:53PM
Devizes Isabel Morris - buy a Freesat box from England and have your satellite dish set to the same frequency as for Sky. I have one in France and it works fine BUT I have had to have a larger dish than usual installed as it wouldn't work in the rain.ShySaturday 5 November 2011 7:22PM
i live in gillingham kent and the reception keeps going when the clouds are low, what can i do to remedy this problem jb38Saturday 5 November 2011 9:38PM
Shy: Without knowledge of your post code nor anything about the aerial system being used its really quite impossible to offer any advice, as some areas around you could be classed as difficult for reception.
Your post code would have enabled your reception possibilities to be checked on, that is as well as whether or not any alternative transmitters are within range.
seanwSunday 6 November 2011 5:01PM
hi been haveing trouble with sky picture,but only on certain channels,keeps loseing signal,message 25,29,30,then comes up,tried unplugging,sometimes works for a little time,tried lnb set-up,same again works for a time,but must stress its not all channels as an example sky one is ok,but bbc 1 is effected,watching sky sports at the moment,fault is also on this channel,but picture is ok but 10 mins ago it was not,to finish sky are fetching a new box/dish on tuesday,what can you suggest i tell the engineer?jb38Sunday 6 November 2011 6:07PM
seanw: You should check out the signal strength / quality indications seen by pressing "services - 4 - 6", both S/Q should be roughly level at about 75% of the way along, as although the box is possibly faulty what you report is in most cases caused by the dish out of alignment.
seanwSunday 6 November 2011 6:13PM
hi,thanks for replying,signal strength is 100,signal quality is 75/80 percent,why are some channel efected but not others?jb38Sunday 6 November 2011 7:15PM
seanw: Well, I have never seen 100% strength being indicated on a Sky box! still what you have reported doesn't really suggest the dish is the problem, albeit that the quality should always be level or slightly above the strength indicated.
If the engineer is coming on Tuesday there isn't really any point in trying anything else, and you just repeat to the engineer what you have said in your posting as he will carry out his own checks anyway.
It would have been interesting though to know what manufacturers name was printed on the underside of the box. (paper label)
seanwSunday 6 November 2011 7:35PM
hi,box is a panasonic,funny thing is when i went to check the box and moved the cable on the back,ie the arieal cable,the screen lost signal,i re tightend the cable and it came back,maybe its as simple as that,but i have checked this before,and i still cannot figure why some channels are effected but not others,signal strength as always been 100,sometimes you can see the quality bar move down to60/65,then back up to 75/80seanw: I would, with the box off, remove about 2cm from the end of the satellite input, and then carefully remake the end.
When you reconnect, ensure that all of the outer strands are touching the screw connector and none of them the inner. Tony WilsonTuesday 8 November 2011 5:12PM
I live in Belvedere in Kent. I had a similar problems with my box recently. I used all the reset methods and I got to say after using method three everything seems a okay so far. I'll monitor the situation.Edward WheelerFriday 11 November 2011 4:59PM
I have just switched over to channel 5 HD were upon I was told I had the wrong card
[ pick TV is also affected as well as 5 USA] I do not subscribe to sky just using the freeview channels on the Sky HD box what is the problem the machine is saying is it the viewing card can anybody assist?Edward Wheeler: Please do "Method 1" at the top of the page. joanSaturday 12 November 2011 5:45PM
Hi
Trying method 3, its been updating now for 35 mins is this normal, power light is red, remote command is red, message is yellow and online is green.
vic Monday 14 November 2011 5:28PM
hi
have a old 75cm dish,at least 20 years old no rust,cable ok but pace sky box showing no signal do i need a new dish or lnb
regards vicjoan: This usually happens because there is no signal being provided to the receiver, which means you have a disconnection or a fault. vic : Have you tried all three reset methods at the top of the page? darrenWednesday 16 November 2011 10:21PM
Hi, I've changed from sky to free sat but I keep getting no signal on the screen. If I reboot its fine for a while but no signal returns and I loose most channels. Does anyone have any suggestions?georgeTuesday 22 November 2011 7:57PM
Merthyr Tydfil hi can you help i have a silvercrest freesat box i can recieve sky news and seem to have more channels than my humax box but cannot get five star or five usa thanksAlThursday 24 November 2011 11:26PM
Hi,
I know this is a stupid situation, but I am desperate.
I live in on the 5th floor of a block of flats. The manager says there is a dish on the rooftop connected to every flat. Now, I have 3 wires coming out of the living room wall. I have connected each wire to the TV card on my pc but I still don’t get any signal/reception at all.
That probably means my flat is not connected. Can there be anything else?Tony RichardsSaturday 26 November 2011 11:53AM
Coventry CV2 5FY
I have had no signal since the second switch off even though I have the early panasonic sky box and satellite dish. I have tried your instructions,I put up a new dish,I put in a later sky box,I tried a new sky card,I bought a new Toshiba led tv, I put in a new cable and I retried your guide at each stage.Sky said it can't happen and my local aerial expert is baffled too. I am the only house in my row affected. Before I go fibre optic I thought I would ask the question;"can you offer a suggestion?"Miss ASaturday 26 November 2011 6:20PM
My sky plus won`t switch on the red standby light keeps flickering. I also noticed the LNB is missing on the dish could this be the problem?jb38Saturday 26 November 2011 8:24PM
Tony Richards: If you are referring to what you have seen regarding analogue switch off's or alterations taking place on Freeview, then there is no connection whatsoever between these events and your problem with Sky reception.
Sky is quite correct in what they say, because nothing will restrict satellite reception provided that the dishes view of the skyline has not been obstructed, as other than that the problem you are experiencing just has to be caused by either defective equipment or that the dish is not aligned properly.
IQBAL KAURSunday 27 November 2011 10:51AM
my perview not working becasue is windy today. please help.vic Tuesday 29 November 2011 6:20PM
hi again, thanks for your suggestions tried all 3 methods still no joy. have tried a different box and dish with new cable but still not getting any bars showing on signal test.can you suggest anything else to tryNeilFriday 2 December 2011 4:30PM
I have a few channels missing at present which has just happened over the last 2 weeks or so.I have done all 3 types of resetting the box but I still have the few channels missing.On the settings page I have found that signal strength 2 keeps coming and going.On recordings of programmes they play pixilated.Any ideas please.jb38Friday 2 December 2011 8:00PM
vic: There is nothing magical about Satellite reception, insomuch that if a dish has a reasonably clear view of a Southern skyline then there is nothing can stop the reception of a satellite signal except a fault with the equipment, or more likely the way its installed, the latter being the suspected reason for your particular problem as its extremely easy to get the alignment wrong, especially with the horizontal plane angle.
On looking at your original posting you mention that you have an old 75cm dish, and as these were not generally used for normal Sky reception I wondered if it has a standard LNB fitted to it?
That said though, the fact that you mentioned that you have tried a new dish as well as a new box still indicates a possible (and continuing) alignment fault as the reason for your problem.
jb38Friday 2 December 2011 8:03PM
Neil: With any problem that involves reception its not really possible to offer any constructive advice without knowledge of your location. (post code)
KB Aerials Saturday 3 December 2011 6:03PM
Vic- if the dish is 20 years old and a 75 cm the likely hood of it pointing at sky at 28.2 east is slim I would imagine its for when sky was analogue and was pointing at 19.2 east
So sounds like you need it realigning - i would suggest swapping the LNB
or a new mini dish
Keith K B Aerials Sheffield KB Aerials Saturday 3 December 2011 6:17PM
vic who installed the second dish?
bobSaturday 3 December 2011 8:23PM
my sky system is telling me that no signal is being recieved (29).Sky have tested and are arranging an engineer call out. we had a freak thunderstorm at midnight last night and nothing worked since than, what is the possible cause?jb38Saturday 3 December 2011 9:02PM
bob: If the dish hasn't moved during any exceptionally stormy weather, not of course that this would be noticeable to the naked eye, then its likely that high static rain has damaged either the LNB or the Sky boxes tuner.Si RSunday 4 December 2011 10:14PM
Hello, Do the above 3 examples of reset, remove or delete everything which you have recorded?jimThursday 8 December 2011 3:27PM
my sky box says no signal and i have done all instructions in method 1 and i am still getting the message saying no signal karanFriday 9 December 2011 5:53PM
Southampton i did the LNB 2 nd method now the signal is there but almost all freeview are gone as they showing no signal received what to do pls help PatrickFriday 9 December 2011 6:16PM
Hi
My Grundig digibox tunes does the 'searching for listings' bit after powering up and then plays the music and goes to channel 998 and plays that channel, shows date, time etc. When I go to channel list it shows all the program listings and then when I select any channel I get a 'no satelite signal' message.
Can you help?jb38Friday 9 December 2011 7:34PM
Patrick: I would be inclined to try using "Reset method 3" at the top of the page, but remember to hold the back up button "on the box" (not remote) down whilst you are powering up the box, and keep holding it until you get the "Upgrading system software" message on the screen, only then releasing it.
PatrickSaturday 10 December 2011 5:04AM
tried the reset as described, same problem. Message is 'No sattelite signal being received' and its number 28. Also, it is not the dish allignment because I have an octo lnb and the signal is fine on other digibox.
Thanks.jb38Saturday 10 December 2011 8:04AM
Patrick: Well the only reason I suggested trying that was because you are not experiencing a run of the mill problem, and in situations like that starting afresh sometimes eradicates glitches in the system.
However, now you have tried that the only logical thing to do is try swapping that particular box over with one used in another room, as if it works, which in theory should mean that the previously working one shouldn't!, then that indicates that the LNB outlet port being used has developed a fault, which as you will no doubt realise means the complete block being changed, although if you aren't under contract and can manage it yourself, these can be purchased from various e-bay sources for under £10.00.
Should the LNB outlet be the source of the problem, then in the off chance of it making a difference you could try resetting that particular section of the LNB, (method 2) although I have my doubts if it will make any difference, but there is nothing to lose by trying it!
Finally, if though on the other hand the Grundig box still doesn't work in the other position either, then its time for it to be replaced, as you will have exhausted the test procedures.Kevin LambertSaturday 10 December 2011 6:28PM
I have a Panasonic TU BS D50 satellite box.
I also have the latest Sky viewing card even though i don't subscribe and just watch the free channels.
Lately i've been getting the message "There is a technical fault with this channel ,please try later".It affects certain channels only.
'Vintage TV','Horror','Movies4men' and others.
None of the main channels are affected.
The only way to get these back is to unscrew the dish lead connector on the rear and re insert it.
After a day or so they go again.I get a good three quarters signal on strength and quality.
The lead is properly cut and adjusted and no part of the uter coil is touching the inner.
I'm suspecting the socket clapmps, which hold the center part of the lead is'nt tight enough or weakened.
Is this common?
Any help appreciated.SteveMonday 12 December 2011 8:20PM
Hi, I am setting up sky for the freeview channels only with my sky HD + box and I get the message "no satellite signal". However, on a neighbours box it works perfectly. I have tried all three processes and nothing has happened!! Any ideas?
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