Freesat Box Not Working? This Might Be Why…

The problem with all modern technological advances seems to be the way they just stop working. It’s usually so annoying, because often the solution is so simple that it shouldn’t work. Nobody knows why these “glitches” occur, there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason.

So what happens if your Freesat box stops working? Apart from you getting slightly annoyed, you need to fix it. Now, sometimes it’s as simple as the old cliche, turning it off and on again. Let’s have a look at some common faults and solutions to get the Freesat box working again.

Freesat Box Has Frozen

This seems to be a very common fault with Freesat boxes, and is usually the easiest to solve. If the Freesat box freezes and becomes unresponsive, turn the power off for a full 30 seconds and then turn on the mains supply again. 

If that didn’t work try opening the settings menu (if possible) and try a factory reset. Once the box starts up again check your scheduled recordings and reapply if necessary. As sometimes resetting removes all planned recordings. It shouldn’t affect any already recorded material, just future episodes etc.

Rewind And Pause Not Working

This could be a problem with the hard drive. Check you have the latest version of the software installed, if you have and it’s still not working, it’s time to do a disk cleanup through the settings menu. If it still doesn’t work after that you’ll have to format the hard drive. The problem with formatting the hard drive is, you’ll lose any stored recordings.

No Signal On The Freesat Box

Bad weather can affect the satellite signal. Strong winds, snow or torrential rain can cause signal failure or disruption. If it’s a calm day weather wise and you still have no signal, check all of the connections at: the back of the box, the TV and satellite dish are secure. Then do a channel scan, or first time install.

If you still don’t have any luck, it could be the dish is out of alignment. If it is this, it’s time to call an engineer or installer.

Freesat On Demand Not Working

Because Freesat on demand service is reliant on a stable internet connection, the first place to check is the internet connection. Then unplug the wireless router, and replug it after 1 minute. At the same time remove the Freesat plug as well and replug after 30 seconds. If it still doesn’t work  check online at the Downdetector Freesat webpage and see if anyone else has reported similar problems.

Satellite Dish Offline

Satellite dishes are sensitive to the slightest movement. A 1 millimetre movement is enough to lose the signal. If this is the reason you have lost your signal, you should call an installation expert and have him realign your dish.

Trees Blocking The Satellite Signal

When the dish was installed, those trees were relatively small, since then they’ve grown and now they could be blocking the signal from the satellite to your dish. If they’re your trees prune them just enough to allow a clear signal. If they belong to a neighbour you could ask them to prune them or offer to do it for them. Or you could increase the height of the satellite dish on your wall. Sometimes it could mean having the dish suspended from a high pole, just to dodge trees.

Waterlogged Cables

The Low Noise Block downconverter (LNB) is the device on the dish that receives the signal from the satellite. These have a weatherproofing cover that can become loosened over time. If loosened, water can penetrate into the coaxial cables. As an extra precaution try coating the coaxial cables and connections in silicone grease to prevent any water entering.

The LNB Could Have Developed A Fault

This is another common reason for Freesat boxes to play up. It could be you’ve only lost ¼ or ½ of your channels that’s because of the way satellite signals are broadcast. So if the dish is perfectly aligned, with no obstacles like trees and there’s no weather damage, it’s probably a faulty LNB.

Cables With Poor Termination

This is a common fault, coaxial cables that haven’t been terminated correctly can cause a cable short which would result in no signal at all. Other faults associated with coaxial cables include, incorrect size plug for the coaxial cable, or the plug is loose.

Damaged Satellite Dish

If the satellite dish has even the slightest damage or dent this could affect the signal. Even rust can cause the signal to bounce the wrong way and not connect to the LNB. The same thing can happen if the LNB has been damaged or moved.

Weather Worn Cables

Over time the cables can start to perish, as this takes time to happen, it becomes almost invisible. But once the damage has become severe enough the dish will not function.

Faulty Set Top Box

These boxes are amazing in their complexity, but they often have only a few programmed messages. Even though the “no signal” message is on the box, it could be the box is at fault. If you happen to have another set top box try connecting that one up and see if it works. If it does then it’s the new box not the satellite dish that’s at fault.

Temporary Dish Obstructions

This can be anything from a tree, or some scaffolding. If you or a neighbour are having some work done on your property, the scaffolding could be blocking the signal. Depending how long the scaffolding is going to be there, you can either suffer it or move the dish above the scaffolding.

Mobile Phone Signal Disrupting Satellite Signal

Although this is quite rare, it does happen occasionally either there is a mobile antenna near-by that’s affecting your satellites signal or just someone using one of the frequencies that disrupts satellite dish reception. You will need to resite your dish or install a LNB with a filter to block the mobile signal out.

Frequently Asked Questions