Sky signal problems are most commonly caused by bad weather in the Buxton Area which leads to misalignment; however there are also various other problems both internally and externally that can lead to similar effects. To troubleshoot your Sky box visit the Sky Diagnostics website. If you can’t find a solution, continue reading.
Start by switching your Sky box off at the mains. Whilst waiting for the device to cool and static to discharge, check the exterior connections (if possible). After a few minutes, turn your Sky box back on again. Wait for four to five minutes while it reboots. Do not touch the controller or television settings during this time.
Connection problems
If the quality of the signal is still poor once the Sky box has restarted, make sure your Sky power light is green. If it’s red or orange, press the Sky button on your remote control. This will switch it on. You can try checking the SCART and HDMI connection to make sure it’s securely connected to your Sky box and television, and then press the Source button on the Sky remote to see if you’re on the right channel.
If you get a “No Signal” or “No Input” error message (This will depend on your setup) it’s usually a sign of an internal issue, such as a fault in the connection between your tv and Sky box. Blue screen error messages that read “Your Sky box isn’t getting a satellite signal” is often a sign of an exterior issue, such as damaged connections and cables outside.
Hardware issues
Your Sky box should be placed on a solid, cool surface that provides enough space to minimise overheating. Electrical goods can become very hot and may malfunction if left on carpet or crammed between other appliances.
Rain and snow
This one may seem obvious to most but If there’s snow or heavy rain outside, the signal is probably struggling to get through the obstruction. Simply wait until the weather has cleared up and it should start working again.
If it’s clear outside but has snowed within the past few days, you may need to wipe the snow off the surface of the dish if accessible or wait for it to melt. If bad weather is a common issue where you live, apply a rain fade solution to stop water from settling on the dish.
Long-term weather damage
While satellite dishes are built to last, long-term exposure to weathering could eventually erode the connections. If all of the interior connections are sound, but you’re still getting a poor signal, check the exterior cables are securely fastened and that there are no obvious signs of rust or water damage.
Satellite misalignment
Take a look for yourself; is your dish pointing in the same direction as your neighbours’ dishes? Bad weather could have misaligned your satellite dish, causing it to point away from your nearest signal tower. This is the number one cause of signal loss. If it is pointing the wrong way, you’ll need to have the position of the dish realigned so it has a clear line of sight to the tower.
If you cannot find the route of the problem, contact us at MW Aerials & Satellite. Our qualified technician will not only solve signal problems but will assess the quality of your hardware, connections and setup in order to pinpoint future issues and find out how you can optimise performance.