DStv decoder replacement is sometimes the right fix, but it is also one of the most common unnecessary purchases. A decoder that shows "no signal" or loses channels is often perfectly healthy; the real problem is the dish, the LNB or the cable bringing the signal to it. So the first step is working out whether the decoder itself has failed.
Below we cover how to tell the difference, what DStv looks after compared with what an installer does, how to choose a replacement and what to do with the old unit.
Is It the Decoder or the Signal?
Satellite faults and decoder faults can look similar on screen. The table below shows the patterns that usually point one way or the other.
| What you notice | More likely the decoder | More likely the signal |
|---|---|---|
| The decoder will not power on, or the front panel shows no light at all | Yes, after checking the plug and wall socket | No |
| It freezes, restarts by itself or gets stuck on a loading screen | Often | Rarely |
| No picture on any input, but the TV works with other devices | Possibly, or the HDMI cable | No |
| No-signal message during a storm, which clears afterwards | No | Yes, rain fade |
| No-signal message on every decoder in the house | Unlikely | Yes, the dish, LNB or shared cabling |
| Some channels fine, others missing or breaking up | Sometimes | Often, weak signal or alignment |
| A PVR that cannot record, or cannot play back recordings | Possibly a hard drive fault | Sometimes a feed problem |
If more than one decoder in your home is affected at the same time, the decoders are almost never the cause. Our article on why DStv loses signal walks through the dish and cable side.
Quick checks before you replace anything
- Switch the decoder off at the wall plug, wait a minute and switch it on again.
- Check that the satellite cable is firmly connected to the decoder's LNB or satellite input. Do not open the decoder.
- Try a different HDMI cable and a different HDMI input on the TV.
- If you have another decoder in the house, see whether it has the same problem.
- Note any notification code on screen. A code about your subscription, such as the commonly reported E16-4, is a DStv account matter, not a faulty decoder.
Still stuck after those checks? An authorised DStv installer can test the signal at the decoder and tell you which side the fault is on. Call OnspotElec on 083 489 1322; we are open 24 hours.
Who does whatWhat DStv Handles and What an Installer Does
A replacement involves two separate sides, and knowing which is which saves a lot of phone calls.
DStv looks after
- Your account. Linking a new decoder to your subscription, removing the old one and any billing questions.
- Smartcard and activation. Anything to do with activating or pairing the decoder to your account.
- Decoder repairs and DStv's warranty. If your decoder is still covered by DStv's own warranty, or you need a repair, that goes through DStv's channels.
- Decoder insurance claims. DStv says that customers with decoder insurance and a valid claim have their existing device swapped for a similar model.
For these, use DStv's self-service channels or contact DStv directly.
An installer looks after
- Installation and connection. Placing the decoder, connecting it to the satellite feed and the TV, and running the first-time setup.
- Checking the feed. Measuring signal at the decoder, and checking the dish, LNB, cable and connectors.
- Upgrades to the feed. Fitting the right LNB when moving to a PVR, or adding cable for a linked decoder.
- Getting it ready to link. Making sure the new decoder is receiving signal so DStv can complete the account side.
OnspotElec does the second list. We cannot sort out account, smartcard or billing issues, and we do not repair decoders internally. You can read more about our decoder installation and replacement service.
Choosing a Replacement Decoder
A failed decoder is a natural moment to ask whether you want the same model again. The main choices are:
- DStv HD Single View. The entry-level satellite decoder. It watches live channels but cannot record.
- DStv Explora. The previous-generation HD PVR, for pausing live TV and recording.
- DStv Explora Ultra. DStv's current flagship PVR, 4K-capable, able to record several channels at once and with built-in Wi-Fi and streaming apps.
- DStv Streama. An internet streaming box that needs no dish at all, if your home internet is reliable.
Moving from an HD decoder to a PVR usually means checking or upgrading the LNB, because a PVR needs more than one signal at once. Our guide to Explora installation explains why. If the decoder is part of an XtraView setup, think about which unit should be the primary before the new one goes in.
What Happens to Your Recordings
This is the question people most often ask too late. Recordings stored on a PVR's hard drive stay on that decoder. They do not move across to a replacement, and DStv's own FAQ confirms that content cannot be moved from an older Explora to an Explora Ultra.
If your old PVR still works, watch anything you want to keep before the swap. If it has already failed, those recordings are generally lost with it. Series recordings and reminders will need to be set up again on the new decoder.
What to Do With the Old Decoder
- Check with DStv first. If the replacement comes through an insurance claim or a DStv swap, ask whether the old unit needs to be returned before you get rid of it.
- Sign out of apps. On a decoder with streaming apps, sign out of any accounts you used on it.
- Remove the remote's batteries. Dispose of batteries separately at a battery collection point.
- Recycle it as e-waste. Decoders, power supplies and remotes are electronic waste and should not go in the household bin. Take them to an e-waste drop-off or collection point instead.
Decoder Replacement Questions
Usually, if the dish is sound and aligned and the replacement is a similar model. Moving to a PVR or adding a second decoder often needs an LNB or cabling change.
No. Recordings stored on a PVR's hard drive stay on that decoder, so watch what you want to keep before the swap.
DStv does, through its self-service channels or customer service. The installer makes sure the decoder is connected and receiving signal.
Not yet. No-signal messages are far more often caused by the dish, LNB or cabling. Have the signal tested first, through our DStv repairs service or another qualified installer.
OnspotElec covers Gauteng, including Germiston and the rest of the East Rand, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Scheduling depends on your location and the work involved.
Whether you have a new decoder in the box or you are still deciding if the old one is finished, a quick call helps. Phone OnspotElec on 083 489 1322 or ask for a quote for the installation.
