When the Virgin Media TV code C133 occurs, you’ll be unable to continue the stream!
This Virgin Media error could mean multiple things.
It’s of great importance to identify the problem first and proceed with aligning solutions.
This is the quickest way to deal with any Virgin Media TV errors so let’s learn more!
To fix the Virgin Media TV code C133, reboot your cable box and reconnect it to the respective Network/WiFi. Your next task is to reconnect ALL cables from the box and update the device’s Firmware. If nothing worked, Factory Reset the Virgin cable box!
Let’s proceed with unwrapping the essentials of the Virgin C133 error!
Virgin Media Error Code C133 – Explained
Since many users have encountered the C133 error code while streaming on Virgin Media.
This error code is accompanied by the following message:
- “There was a problem connecting to the Virgin Media Service”.
If we take a moment to figure this problem out, the error essentially means that your cable box has failed to connect with Virgin Media and therefore stream content.
The best possible scenario for the error is to be a service outage.
This means that users that are in the area of an outage, will not have their content temporarily unavailable.
In the meantime, we’ll attempt to troubleshoot the problem on your side!
How to Fix the Virgin Media Error Code C133?
To solve this problem quickly and efficiently, we’re going to address all possible causes for the issue in our methods.
What’s important is to follow the chronological order of our solutions and not miss any of the upcoming steps.
Let’s jump right in!
Solution #1 Restart your Cable Box!
As simple as it may sound, your very first step is to perform a restart on the cable box.
The odds are that your cable box had a problematic startup and now the Virgin Media Services have become unavailable to the device.
By restarting, you will cause the box to reconnect!
Follow these instructions to restart your Virgin cable box:
- Press the Power Switch on the back of your cable box.
- Wait for the device to shut down.
- Unplug the box’s Power Adapter from the electrical socket.
- Standby for 3-4 Minutes.
- Once the cooldown period elapses, reconnect your cable box to power.
- Turn on the device using the power switch.
- Test the device.
In case you’re concerned that the cable box is not receiving sufficient power, use a different wall outlet in your home. In addition, avoid plugging the TV box into a power strip or divider!
Tip: Keep the TV Box unplugged as long as necessary to cool down!
Solution #2 Connect to “Virgin Media Service”
The C133 error occurs only when your box is disconnected from the Virgin Media Service!
However, Virgin has made it possible to reconnect your box to the respective service, by going into a specific tab within the box’s settings.
Let’s learn how to do this!
- Go to Settings > Network > Connection in progress > Connect Now.
Once pressing “Connect to Virgin Media Service Now!”, be patient while your box performs the connection.
Since this process usually takes time, make sure not to shut down your cable box or have the process cancelled by any means. This will prevent the connection!
Note: If the connection was a success, you will see “Connected!” on your TV screen.
Solution #3 Stream Different Broadcasts!
The next most important factor is the functionality of the broadcasts!
There’s a great possibility that one or more of the broadcasts on Virgin Media TV have become unavailable.
When you attempt to stream an unavailable channel on Virgin Media, you will most likely encounter the “C133” error code as a result.
- Turn on multiple different broadcasts on your Virgin Media TV cable box.
By attempting to stream a bunch of different broadcasts, you will know whether this problem has impacted all channels or just a few.
Knowing this is essential to figuring out the problem.
Note: Test on at least 3-5 different TV shows and movies to determine the issue!
Solution #4 Reconnect Box with WiFi
If this problem ended up impacting all channels, then surely there’s a WiFi issue!
To no longer experience the “Virgin Media TV code C133”, connect your box to WiFi!
Instead of only having to hook up your box to the Virgin Media Service, it must also be connected to a network in order to work.
This is essential for loading the playout.
Here’s how to connect your Virgin Media box to the internet in both ways:
Connect the cable box via WiFi:
- Hop on to the Settings on your box.
- Head to Home Network Settings.
- Press the OK button.
- Choose “Set Up Your Home Network”.
- Press “Join Network”.
- Follow the instructions.
- Double-check if your network is online before connecting your box.
Connect the cable box via Ethernet:
- Place your router/modem closer to the TV box.
- Get an Ethernet Cable.
- Connect one of the cable’s ends to your router.
- Plug the other end of the cable into the box’s Ethernet Port.
- Wait for the connection indicator to display “Successful”.
Note: If using an Ethernet cable, plug it into the Yellow Ethernet Port on your router!
Solution #5 Replace the Coax Cable
The Coax cable may be the culprit to the Virgin Media TV C133 error!
To set up a Virgin TV cable box via Coax, you must connect the first end of the cable to a port on your wall and then the second end to the box.
This way you will have a wired signal entering your cable box and stream the old-fashioned way.
Alert: Boxes that use coax cable, don’t connect to WiFi or Virgin Media Service.
- Disconnect the old Coax from both your box and the wall outlet.
Once the old cable is removed from the setup, attach the new coax cable in the same spot and turn on a broadcast on your Virgin box.
Wait for a minute or two and determine if the error is gone and again, test on several different movies and shows!
Tip: Check at the bottom of this guide to find a replacement Coax cable!
Solution #6 Factory Reset the Cable Box
In case you’re so far in the guide, but nothing managed to help then you would need to perform a Factory Reset on the TV box!
This is the most efficient solution so far is to completely erase all logs and app data on your cable box.
This is recommended because if there has been a software problem with the cable box, chances are high that ALL channels will show error C133.
Alert: The factory reset is going to erase all contents and settings on the device!
Here’s how to Factory Reset Virgin TV Box in easy steps:
- Head to Menu on your cable box.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Press Advanced Settings.
- Hit the OK on your remote.
- Press Virgin TV Box and then OK.
- Locate the Factory Reset button.
- Press OK on your remote once again.
- Confirm the procedure.
Note: Follow any remaining on-screen instructions to complete the factory reset!
How to Check if Virgin Media Is Down?
On the official Virgin Media website, you will be able to check undergoing outages or maintenance, specifically for your area.
This is the essential factor that you need to inspect to determine whether you need to continue troubleshooting or simply wait.
- Go to Virgin Media Service Status Page.
- Press “Check service status”.
- Enter your Postcode.
- Fill up the “Last name of account holder” field as well.
- Press “Check”!
Wait a couple of seconds for the outage results to appear.
Based on whether there is an outage or not, proceed by contacting Virgin Media Customer Service for more help!
Let’s now recap everything we’ve learned so far!
Quick Recap:
Hence, to fix the C133 error on Virgin Media, have your cable box restarted and reconnect it to the WiFi. Next, reconnect the box to the Virgin Media Service and attempt to stream different movies and shows. Lastly, perform a Factory Reset.
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Wrapping Up:
Now that we’ve learned why Virgin Media TV code C133 this error code should no longer be a problem for you.
Keep in mind that an identified outage with the Virgin Media Service could take up to several hours to be resolved.
Read Next: How to Fix Virgin Media TV Error Code 602?
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.