Lost satellite signal

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jwgreen68

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
May 19, 2008
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Hiding in your attic
Since my install on Feb. 8th, I've been experiencing signal loss(message 771A). Usually it comes back in a few seconds but not this morning. A call to customer service got me an Indian chick saying the soonest a tech can come out is the 23rd. That's freaking outrageous! She told me to call the local installer that did my install, they told me to call Directv! I'm freaking pissed!
 
Hmmm - worth a shot, because I've had similar. Check your ground block for water. Especially if you have a SWM LNB, this can cause havoc.
 
Can you post all of the signal strengths on all of the satellites?
 
That was easy! If all of your connections are good and the dish isn't loose, I suspect the power inserter. Is the green light on?
 
Yes the green light is on. I unplugged it and reset it. This was happening intermittently for the 8 days I've had Directv. It had just always came back on before. I'm still pissed I have to wait a week.
 
She had me run a test. The yesterday concluded: SWM NOT DETECTED. Diagnostic code: 51-409

These are the two reasons listed for a likely cause for that code: There's no SWiM network present, or for some reason the SWiM isn't communicating with the network. Perhaps one of the techs here knows more about what that means. kjlued, do you know what is the most likely cause?
 
Yup, power inserter, cabling, ground block, splitter, LNB, receiver itself.

We can probably eliminate the cabling between the splitter and any other receivers as the as if this was bad it would most likely just effect one receiver.
We can probably eliminate a bad receiver if you have additional receivers that are experiencing the same issue.

First before disconnecting stuff to troubleshoot, unplug the power inserter.

Now, check all fittings.
Focus on the ones from the receiver with the power inserter, to the power passing port on the swm splitter.
then also from the splitter to the dish.

If they all look good, remove the ground block
If that does not work or if there is no ground block then pull the line off the power passing port and barrel it straight to the line coming from the dish.

At that point, I would try replacing the power inserter.
However, since you do not have an extra one like I would on my truck, you must improvise.

If you have multiple TV's this will work.
Remove the power inserter and run the line straight to SAT1 in using the receiver to power the dish.
If all the other TV's start to work, (besides that one) then it is a bad power inserter.

Unfortunately I have no tricks for testing the LNB other then hooking my meter to it or swapping it out.

I would recommend calling back until you get a more respectable service call time.
 
I called Directv again. According to a guy in South Dakota, I was given the earliest schedule appointment available. I wasn't very courteous after he said that. I asked to be credited for a week of no service. My opinion of Directv is wavering.?
 
I understand your frustration, but why should they bump somebody else ,who's probably already been waiting a week, just to fit you in? If you waited and on the morning of your service call they canceled you for somebody else who "wasn't very courteous" and was given your place on the schedule, how would you feel? The only fair way is first come, first served. And yes, they will give you credit for a week without service since you asked for it.
 
i had this a few weeks ago, let me ask you this when reset your box does do "searching for satellite signal and never get it"? and is box clock wrong
 
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