No Satellite Signal is Being Received

• Reset your Digibox - Unplug your Sky box, Sky + or Sky+ HD recorder from the 240V mains supply and wait 30 seconds, then re-connect the power supply. Check whether the 'no satellite signal is being received' fault has cleared. Many Sky box faults are solved by this procedure.
• Test your Digibox - If the fault is still present, unplug the mains supply to your Sky box and carefully disconnect all cables from the rear panel, noting all connections. Then connect your box to a known-working Sky dish (for example a neighbour's dish). If your Sky HD box or older Sky+ Digibox works on the alternative dish, you have a minidish, LNB or coaxial cable fault.
• Swap LNB Cables - Disconnect the mains power supply to your Sky box, then unscrew the LNB cable connectors on the rear panel of your Sky + or Sky HD box. Then swap them over to see if one LNB output or cable feeder has gone faulty. If this restores the picture, check the F-connector on the 'no-signal cable' at both ends (dish and digibox) for short circuits caused by the coaxial cable outer braid touching the cable's centre copper core. Re-terminate the cable if necessary.
  
  Check the F Connectors for tightness and for evidence of water damage to the feeder or LNB (usually caused by inadequate waterproofing of the LNB cable connections). All LNB connections should be waterproofed with self amalgamating tape - other types of tape will allow water into the cable and LNB terminations over time - so check the type of tape used on your Sky installation provides adequate waterproofing.
• Try an Unused LNB Output - If the coaxial cable and connections all look OK, continue troubleshooting by swapping the cable feeder with no signal onto an unused LNB output if you have a Quad or Octo-LNB fitted - this will confirm whether one LNB output has failed. Replace the LNB if it is defective > Buy a replacement LNB.
• Check Dish Aignment - It is common for a Sky dish to be knocked out of alignment by ladders or by high winds and bad weather. Check for damage to the dish reflector and any evidence that the dish has moved.
  
  Also check the general condition of the dish - particularly if it is rusty or badly corroded. Replace the dish if damage or significant rust on the reflector or LNB arm is evident.
  
  Check that the dish securing bolts are all tight. A cheap satellite signal meter is recommended to achieve accurate dish alignment.

• Check the LNB - Since the LNB (fitted at the end of the dish arm) is exposed to extremes of heat and cold as well as moisture, LNB faults are common.
  
  Troubleshooting a Sky dish LNB fault involves heating the LNB with a hairdryer and/or cooling a hot LNB with iced water. In some cases a faulty LNB may temporary recover or fail during this test.
  
  Other indications of Sky LNB problems are picture breaking up or pixilation issues on one or more channels in the run-up to the 'no satellite signal is being received message' being displayed. Quad LNB's are cheap, so replace it if you suspect a fault and check minidish alignment with satellite alignment meter at the same time.
• Check F-Connectors - Check all screw-on F-type connectors at the dish and Sky box are tight and adequately waterproofed at the dish end with self amalgamating tape. If there is evidence of water ingression at the dish, replace the coaxial cable feeder, connectors and LNB (if water damaged) and re-check dish alignment with a satellite meter.
  
  Satellite grade PF100 or PF125 cable should be used between the dish and your receiver. Check that the centre core of the coaxial cable slightly protrudes from all F-connectors to ensure a reliable connection. Read our how to fit an F-connector guide if you need help.
• Check Coaxial Cable Feeders - The coaxial cable feeder to your Sky Digibox or twin feeders to your Sky+ HD box can suffer accidental damage or even be deliberately cut by an act of vandalism.
  
  If the cables are run over the ridge of your roof or badly installed so they can move in the wind, the outer insulation can chafe and fail allowing water to enter the cable. This is a common cause of signal problems which show as picture pixelation or the picture breaking up altogether. The 'no satellite signal is being received message' is seen when cable damage or water penetration becomes serious. Replace the coaxial cable if there is any sign of damage.

Technical Support

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