Is your DStv Decoder giving you problems and making it harder for you to have fun? Don’t pout. Every problem has a solution. Here are the common DStv decoder problems and helpful solutions you can apply to solve them.
I’ve also included PDF formats of DStv decoder manuals at the end of the article and several ways to care for your decoder so they can perform better and last longer.
While I do recommend getting the help of a professional when you need to, do well to observe the steps they take to test and fix your decoder. Some of them may try to get you to buy a new decoder even when the old one is still working so make sure you keep an eye on things when you are getting help.
You could also learn one or two skills that will help if you find yourself in a similar situation when they are not around.
Here are the most common decoder problems and the DIY steps you can take to fix them. Feel free to drop a comment if you need more help.
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Decoder Showing an Orange Light only
If your decoder is showing an orange light and refuses to respond to any changes you make to it, then your device is either damaged or the power supply is malfunctioning.
At first, resist the urge to buy a new power supply or decoder right away. Start by testing your decoder with another power supply to see if it will work. You can do it at a friend’s place or take it to a Multichoice service outlet and watch them check it for you.
If the problem is with the power supply, replace it. If the decoder is damaged and it is still within the warranty date, ask the agents to replace it for you. Also, if you have been paying for your insurance, you could get a new decoder without having to pay for it.
Decoder not working after Loadshedding
If your dstv decoder is refusing to start properly after loadshedding and is showing the orange light and probably blinking red and green, here is what you can do. Press and hold the power button on the decoder for about 30 seconds. The lights will blink and the device will load and start properly.
If this does not work, remove and put back the HDMI properly and test it again.
Related Post: How to carry out Change of Ownership for a DStv Decoder.
DStv Decoder Blinking Yellow Light
If your decoder is blinking or showing you a yellow light and is also refusing to power on properly, take it to a service outlet and inspect it as they check it for you. Most times this will solve the problem and you won’t have to pay anything.
However, if that doesn’t solve it, you can always have them check the device and rectify the fault. Remember to use your warranty or insurance coverage before going ahead to pay for anything.
DStv Decoder Blinking Red Light
If your decoder is blinking red or giving red flashes, you most likely have a power supply problem. Firstly, test your decoder with a new power supply adapter. If it works, buy it and replace the old one.
I do recommend testing the device first because if you don’t, you may end up buying a new power supply for no reason. Performing a test will help you confirm the source of the problem and the best solution for it.
But if you do not have the time, go ahead and get a new power supply as this is known to be the most common cause of red flashes on a decoder.
DStv Decoder not switching on
If you can’t power on or switch on your decoder properly, there could be a lot of reasons why you are unable to do so. Start by checking the light on the decoder. Depending on the lights that are showing or flashing as the case may be, you will be able to tell what the problem is so you can find the proper fix for it.
When it comes to the kind of lighting you have on the decoder, there is no generic solution for this, if you are specifically having trouble switching on the decoder, here is what you can do.
Press and hold the power button on the decoder for about 30 seconds, doing so until the lights begin the blink. Once the lights blink, the decoder will boot and resume loading. If this does not work, test the power supply and replace it with a new one. Most times changing the power supply adaptor will fix the problem.
But if there are no lights at all on the decoder, it means that the decoder is either faulty or not getting any supply of power.
Start by checking the power supply. Check the adapter first. Is there a light on the adapter? If the answer is yes, then it’s probably working (that is, supplying power) but the decoder is not functioning. Now, remove the power supply from the decoder, wait a few seconds, fix it back firmly then check the decoder again.
If the adapter is working properly but you are not seeing any lights at the front then it simply means that you have a faulty decoder and you need to replace it.
DStv Decoder Not scanning
Are you stuck at 0% and wondering why your DStv decoder is not scanning? Here are a few suggestions that could help:
Faulty LNB. This can be a problem. Inspect your LNB and be sure it is still in good condition. It could have been damaged for some reason, one of them being lightning. And if there is a wound on it, then that could allow water inside it. In that case, there’s a good chance it has gotten wet and damaged if it has been raining.
If the LNB is faulty, get a new one, but make sure it is compatible with your DStv so it can work properly.
Due to the technical details involved, I recommend getting the services of a professional installer when you are changing your LNB.
If your device is not scanning, the problem could also be the RF cable. Either the cable is damaged or not properly connected. Inspect it. Make sure it is in good condition and is also well-connected. Once you are done, reboot your decoder and try scanning it again.
If all your efforts fail, then it could also be the alignment of the dish. Something may have caused the dish to shift from its original position. If that’s the case, correct it or contact an installer to fix it for you.
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What to do if your decoder gets wet
If your DStv decoder gets wet, the first thing to do is to get it out of the liquid as fast as you can. If the water or liquid collects inside the device, find an outlet and drain it out immediately.
Once this is done, quickly find an electronic technician who can open and dry it for you. It would be great if you find a DStv agent but any electronic technician can help you dry it if you are stranded.
Don’t allow the liquid to remain inside it because it will begin to spoil the electronic components inside the device. Also, do not just try to put it under the sun or in front of a fan as some people do when their phones get wet.
This is wrong. If the water has gotten inside the decoder, some portions will not get dried unless opened and dried properly with a suitable heating or drying equipment.
Important Safety Measures for your DStv Decoder
- Proper ventilation is recommended. Do not place anything on or around the decoder, thereby cutting off airflow to the device. Make sure it gets proper ventilation and do not block the holes and openings that allow air into the decoder. A constantly overheated decoder can develop faults.
- Always disconnect your DStv before cleaning. Also, use a dry cloth to avoid getting water or moisture into the device.
- Do not move or disconnect your DStv decoder while it is switched on or during a recording. This can cause damage to the decoder’s internal hard disk.
- Whenever you put off the decoder, wait for at least 30 seconds before disconnecting the cables.
- Make sure no liquid gets into your device. If your decoder gets wet by accident, quickly locate an electronics technician so they can open it and dry it for you.
- Always use recommended power supply adapters. An incompatible power supply may damage your device.
- Never attempt to service or repair the decoder on your own. Unless you are a trained technician you may end up biting more than you can swallow. Try not to get choked.
- Use a proper earthing installation to guard against lightning.
Related Post: How to Care for Your DStv Remote.
Helpful Resources on DStv Decoders
Here are links to DStv decoder manuals in PDF:
Related Post: Useful features of a DStv Now App.
Hi, l have an old model decoder that refused to be activated.
Hi, Nuwangaba. Does it have a smart card? What model is it? Check the body of the decoder and possibly the pack, or even the remote that came with it, give me more information so I can give you more information on how to fix things. Thank you.
What happens when it’s not showing pictures
Hi, Emmanuel. It could be a result of faulty connections. But if the connections are good, there should be an error code.
Hi,
We are having problems with our DSTV Explora recording. It either stops playback and jumps to the normal channels or does not playback at all. It jams and does not play at all. Please advise on what we should do to rectify the problem, if possible.
Thank you.
Maggie
Hi Robert,
I recently purchased a new DSTV dish, decoder (6S) and a new UHD 4k Tv
All movies, wildlife and other channels play great but sports seem to be a problem. The football pitch in the background flickers when a significant portion is shown. The players are moving with a static pitch in the background flickering which is annoying. Also, it takes 7 – 8 seconds to display the next channel when I change channels. I have had the dish looked into and improved the signal quality to 52% changed the HDMI cable but still, the problem persists.
Please assist to Guide.
Hi, Mugo! The problem is either from the decoder or the TV. To find out, test the decoder on another TV to determine if the problem is from the DStv or the TV set.
Good day. We have the first DStv Explora and we are going to get DStv again now and I wanted to use this decoder as an extraview decoder. It starts up just fine and shows channel number 100 on the screen but when I plug the HDMI into the tv, nothing shows (the satellite is not connected yet). I just wanted to know what this means. Thank you.
Hi, Jano. I want to help but it’s not quite clear what you are trying to do here. Sure I get the part where you want to use it for XtraView. But let me know, are you using it as a primary of secondary decoder? You mention screen, then you mention TV, are they not supposed to be the same thing? Are ou trying to use the coloured cables and the HDMI at the same time on one TV? Which satellite are you talking about, is it intelsat20?
Good day, my signal and quality strength show 1%. I tried to reboot it numerous times but it keeps on showing an E48 error. This is my explore 3A on XtraView. Will appreciate any feedback.
Hi Reggie. This is most likely a problem with the connection. Get an install to check the connections for you if you cannote check it yourself.
Hi, my TV is not showing anything. The decoder is green but it says the channel you selected is not in this viewing environment. Press TV and chose my channels but nothing happens even after pressing and selecting my channels.
Hi, first you have to be sure your subscription is still active. If you have an active subscription, press and hold the power button to reset the device.
Hi, my DStv is showing just orange light it wouldn’t boot and not responding to remote
what is the problem?
Hi, Charles. Test a new power supply adapter. But before then just try holding down the power button for like 30 seconds to see if it works.
Hi, good day please my DStv primary decoder is skipping like cracking on the screen. This happens every 5 min of viewing, while my secondary decoder is showing perfectly without skipping. What could be the problem with it?
Hi, Festus, try to strengthen to connections and make sure the cables fit well into the ports. Then try turning it off and turning it on again from the socket. If the issue persists, get an accredited installer to check it for you.
My decoder only is showing the red line and I try it with another adapter but it’s still showing the red line.
Hi, Thully, if that’s the case, get a certified technician to fix it for you.
Hi there, my dstv Explora 2a is not loading and is not showing anything on the TV screen. When I unplug it to connect a new adapter, it still shows a red exclamation mark and at times blinks 8888 but that is rare. What do I do?
Hi, Sifuniso. Get a certified DStv technician to fix that for you.
Hi, my DSTV adapter keeps blinking and doesn’t transmit power to the decoder, what could be the fault?
It’s obviously a problem with the adapter. Test your decoder on a new adapter and see if it works, if it does, get a new adapter.
My decoder is showing E48-32 and it is a secondary decoder another secondary is playing well and the primary decoder and all three of them connect via smart LNB but only this one is giving problems.
Hi, a storm turned my dish upside down and I disconnected it from the decoder, now I want to fix everything do I still need an installation process.
Yes, Joe. It has to be installed again.
Hi,
My dstv decoder is showing “Please run Auto scan.” How can I go about this, please?
My decorder keeps showing a red light and will not turn on,what should i do?
Hi, Anonymous. Check the power supply adapter. You could try testing a new one with your decoder before buying.
Hi I’ve just installed a new decoder, it showed channel 100 for five seconds then an upgrade message popped up after that it refused to play and every channel shows ‘No Information’ how could I fix this.
Bonny, you’ll need to contact DStv or get an installer to fix that for you.
Hi my decoder doesn’t respond to my remoter and we can’t change channels we are stucked in a one channel, what can it be? Please help,
Hi, Tsholofelo. Make sure you have a clear line of sight from your remote to the decoder. Try changing remote batteries. It works wonders at times. Then clear all programming on the remote.
Honestly this helped, I only changed the power cable and it came up immediately… Thanks
You’re welcome, Akinz. Thank you for the feedback.
Hi there. What can I do if my decoders red light is blinking and on the screen is it shows that “we’re experiencing technical difficulties, please leave your decoder on and connected”
Hi, Asanda. I recommend you wait for a while. It appears the problem is from DStv’s portal. But if it shows for too long, then you should try resetting the decoder.
My decoder has been displaying “there is no signal due to bad weather or a faulty connection in the installation” after a heavy rainfall, the green light is on but it’s not displaying, what can I do?
My DStv is not showing any light. Please, what could be the problem?
Hi, Adetola. Test it with another power cable adapter. If the lights don’t show even after the test, get a technician to work on the decoder.
The green light on the decoder is on but there’s no signal on the TV screen. The decoder has refused to reboot. What might be wrong?
Hi, Kelvin. Try disconnecting and reconnecting some of the cables. Start with the power cable.
If it doesn’t turn up, press and hold the power button, then release it to restart to the decoder.
Then check the video cable. Make sure they are firmly plugged into the decoder and the television.
Hi. Kindly assist. All lights are flahing on the decoder.
Firstly, turn it off completely and disconnect the power cable. Put them back after a about minute and test it.
It seems there are no changes even after replacing the adapter. What could be the problem, please?
Hi! my dstv is showing red and orange light only but nothing on the screen. What can I do about it?
Hi, Nathan. Try disconnecting everything from the decoder. Hold the power button for about 30 seconds. Then reconnect the cables again. If nothing changes, test it with a new power supply adapter.
Good day,
My decoder 5S has two red lights on. It is not booting and there is nothing showing on the screen and it is not responding to the remote. I have tried a different power adapter and there is no change. Kindly assist.
Looks like you’ll have to see a technician. You could try something: unplug everything from the decoder; hold the power button for 30 seconds or more. then put it back and see if it works. If that does not work, you’ll have to see a technician. If you don’t know one, see a DStv dealer.
When I’m watching my dstv after some time, the red light starts blinking and it goes off, sometimes it will reboot and go off again. Please what’s the problem and can it be fixed?
Check your power supply. Most times when you get signals from the red light it is usually an indication of power supply problems. Test your decoder with another power supply adapter. If it solves the problem, then get a new one.
Hi, my HD decoder shows a red light then switches off when I connect the power adapter and it shows nothing on the screen what could be the problem.
Hi, Caswel. Red lights mostly have to do with power. Test it with another power supply adapter.
My decoder is not picking up signals, I tested my signal strenght using my friend’s decoder and it worked perfectly, but mine is not even serching for signal.
Hi, Lonwabo. You need an installer to check that for you.
Hey, my DStv Explora is giving me issues. The screen just goes blank and I press and hold the power key for a soft boot and it reboots then it comes back but then it goes blank again. I don’t know whether the problem is that I keep on connecting and disconnecting it from the internet since I use a mobile router. Please help!
Its showing orange only
Hi! Test it with another power supply adapter. If that solves the problem, buy a new one.
My decoder is not showing any light again. How do I get another one?
Hi, Linda. You can get another decoder from any DStv store close to you. Learn how to find accredited DStv dealers near you. You can also get one from an online store like the PEP store.
My decoder always showed TV Guide 1 week ahead, and catchup updated every day.
A few days ago, the TV Guide didn’t update, and neither did catchup.
It remains as it was 72 hours ago. I can still watch, and record up to the point before it stopped updating.
I am concerned that in a few days, the TV Guide will be “No information available” for the day.
I have rebooted the decoder. It reloaded everything up to the same point, but not beyond.
Hi, Daniel. Quickly contact the DStv customer care or take it to the nearest DStv service center near you.
Hi my DStv decoder is only showing an orange light and when I press the power button for 30 secs it boots then comes on but when I press any button on my dstv remote it blurs my tv. It’s a HARWA TV.
Hi, Chloe! The problem with the decoder is most likely the power supply. I suggest you test it with another power supply. As for the problem with the HARWA TV, how long have you noticed it? Have you changed your DStv remote lately? Have you changed the position of your TV or decoder lately? You could try repositioning your Harwa TV to stop it from receiving signals from the DStv remote.
Hello! My decoder shows, red, Orange and green, then red for a sec, it tries to scan for like ten seconds, then it goes back red, orange and red.
Hi, Peggy. Test your decoder with another power supply.
My Decoder showed green and red when I was watching then I disconnected and connected it again and then it switched off by itself. I checked the charge it was heated. Now it’s not supplying power and the red light on it is not lighting, help!
Obviously, Valentine, it appears the problem is from the power supply adapter. Test your decoder with a new power supply. If it works, buy it and replace the old one.
My decoder is losing signal minutes after minutes what could be the problem
First be check if it’s affecting all the channels. Then check your signal strength. You may need an installer to fix that for you.
Hi my dstv decoder shows orange only when plugged in the adapter and cannot boot
Hi, Samuel! Test it with another power supply. If it doesn’t work then get a DStv agent or an electronics technician to fix it for you.
Is it normal for the Explora Ultra to heat up? I had to exchange my first decoder & the second one is still heating up. There is enough ventilation around it. My previous Explora never did this. Checked connections and LNB cables all is fine.
Please advise.
My decoder is showing orange light and I don’t know why
Hi, Tshuxy! Is it booting at all? Any error codes on the screen?
What might be the problem and solution if one single sports station (222) doesn’t play well, though it doesn’t go off but plays and stops
Hi, David! First of all you need to find out if you are the only one facing this problem because it may be from DStv.
If you’re the only one having this problem, I suggest you check your signal strength. If it’s low, you should get an installer to give you suggestions on how to fix it.
Good day, I have a problem with the dstv remote, it’s flashes twice when u press any button but the channels don’t even change, it’s not working, how can I solve this problem
What kind of remote are you using, which model? Check the back and your find the model.
Hi the decoder here at home, I have done the switching off and the 30 seconds waiting it reboots, 20,40 60 then 100 after that it shows the green on the decoder but it does not load/show that dstv logo while it loads its just dark the screen that is
Ernest, hi! You need to check this at a DStv store near you.
Goodday]
my decoder is flashing green light, and red light is stable but its not watching
Try disconnecting and reconnecting the components. Remove the power supply adapter. Hold the power button for, like, 30 seconds then reconnect everything and check it again.
Hi Robert, my decoder keeps loading and is not booting up completely. What do I do?
Hi, Joe. What kind of decoder are you using? I suggest you disconnect it completely from the power source and plug it back again.
If the problem persists, try testing the decoder with another power supply adapter.
My decoder is showing all 3 lights at the same time but not blinking. I tried disconnecting it nothing changed.
What kind of decoder is it? Is there any message on the screen? I recommend testing a new power supply. If nothing changes after doing so, contact a technician.
My decoder is showing red and green light. I see error E30-0, dstv agent says they corrected the error and sent me the signal, but still it doesn’t play, both lights are still showing. Please help!
Hi, Thaabe. You may need to carry your decoder to the DStv service center.
My DStv us blinking orange and red and green also on but is not showing on the screen ,Help what can be the problem and how do I solve it?
Disconnect the power supply and leave for some time, then reconnect and check. Also, check the video cable, audio cable, and coaxial cable from the dish. If the problem persists, then you’ll have to take it out for testing.
Hi please help decorder shows orange and red light
Those two indicators are closely linked to the power functions of your decoder. To troubleshoot this, check your home electricity and the decoders power supply adapter.
I changed my adapter but still blinking red light with no signal to the TV
Hi, Sammy! If you look at the article you’ll see I recommend you test your decoder with a new power supply first before buying. If you only go out there and purchase a new one you may end up finding out you still have another problem. Please, always try to read our articles properly before taking action.
At this point, I recommend you take out the decoder so a DStv agent can work on it. Again, it would be nice to check it at a trusted electronics shop first to see if they can fix it for you. Because there is a good chance a certain agent will just recommend you buy a new decoder even when the new one can be fixed. Best of luck, Sam.
Do you mean the fault is from the adapter?
Hi, I mean in such situations that’s the first thing you should test.
Why does my decoder get warm? What must I do?
Give it more ‘breathing’ space.
My tv keeps switching off & on , on its own.. It can switch on & off shortly or after a long period of time. Help
What kind of TV are you using? Is it a smart TV?
The secondary decoder keeps on rebooting.