Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - My Direct TV isn't working? No signal..do I need to call them to fix it?

Hey everyone,

I have had Direct T.V for about a year and all of a sudden I cannot get a signal. I was on the phone with customer service today..telling me that maybe it was the weather, rain, blah blah blah (we live in the desert..no bad weather lately at all)

Customer service had me reset the box, go into the menu and look at the satillite signal, nothing happened. They now say I can buy a service plan or send someone out for $79.95 to adjust the dish or something.

Can anyone help me fix this problem myself? It just stopped working all of a sudden...

Thanks,

Courtney

"go into the menu and look at the satillite signal, nothing happened"

No signal? or no signal page on the tv?

Did you have any wind or is antenna ground mounted and got bumped. If that the case I get a small tv and run a cable and electric to antenna move dish until I get a signal. Very Smalg movements Also you can get a signal meter I think at radio shack. Haven't had direct tv in several years but I guess this will still work.

Did something change nearby that could be blocking the signal? A tree, building, or tower? It needs a clear view of the sky.

that happened to me once. tuned out to be the cable from the dish to the receiver.

Pugsls method is the best way to troubleshoot - eliminate the existing cable.

If it proves to be the cable, then suspect any of the connectors.

Here is a decent link - it has to do with cable modems - but some of the info would be appropriate.

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/cabletech/3._Common_Problems

Make sure the the outlet the box is plugged into is grounded. It can drive you crazy if not.

Hi,

I guess I am just not technically savvy, I am confused.

What do you mean, "eliminate the existing cable?" Do you mean an actual cable wire or cable tv..like Cox Cable? There is no cable on the t.v..just fuzz and no signal on the t.v screen. I pay for Direct T.V monthly.

I went into the menu and there is nothing, no signal at all coming to the outside dish. The dish is on the outside of the house and there is nothing blocking it..there was wind last month and the signal was fine..and we have had constant weather here in Las Vegas.

Both of my t.v's that have the Direct T.V search for a signal and nothing is found.

Is there anything I can do to get a signal myself? My husband tried to move the dish, but it is all bolted onto the side of the house..it doesn"t look like anything will move unless we unscrew it.
wbs

Courtney

You have no signal at both Sat boxes? The (LNB) Maybe wrong term, may have gone bad. Run a new cable from input at Sat box to the dish and see if you get a signal. Go to local builders store and get cable long enough to replace old one if cable is bad. Don't install it yet just run it out a window or door to see if problem. Hope this helps. To move dish you will have to loosen screws but don't do that unless you have tried this. A small movement will knock dish out. Sometimes less than 1/4 inch can affect it. Radio Shack might have LNB if bad or come over here I have 3 or 4 laying around.
My daughter lives in Vegas also I am on east coast.

All good suggestions. The only time I really had a dead satellite signal it was in fact the LNB that had gone bad. In my case the Florida sun beating down on it had eventually caused the plastic weather cap to deteriorate and let water inside. Think I ordered my replacement on-line, but I have seen them at retail stores; maybe even Wal-Mart. Around $20. Here's Radio Shack's @ $54:

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-terk-tlnb-10-dual-satellite-lnb--pi-2110927.html

I also browsed for a signal meter at RS and looks like it runs $50; a little pricey for a one time use. You could simply buy replacement cable and a new LNB for less, but that's not exactly troubleshooting. I would be careful about trying to adjust the dish; it sounds like it is solidly mounted. If it is aimed fairly close to the satellite you should get SOME signal on the setup screen. If it was me I think I would gamble on the LNB, but I would browse for a cheap one - new, not used.

did you find a solution to your problem. If you did please post or let us know what's happening. Thanks

Call customer service back and tell them you will halt payments until they come out and fix it, for free.