DIRECTV black screen with sound. Does it sound familiar? It does.
Screen-freezing crashes and closed captioning problems are just a few of the many issues that DirecTV customers have been facing for years.
While you cannot completely prevent such issues, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot your DirecTV.
In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the most viable solutions to these common problems.
What Does DIRECTV Black Screen with Sound (or Black Screen of Death) mean?
As the name suggests, a black screen could happen to any direct-to-home satellite television system.
The lack of an image is due to various reasons, but the most common cause of it is related to the dish.
To solve the problem, you must first understand why the dish has gone dark and what are the most common issues related to this technology.
Common Satellite Related Problems
Blocked Signals
The dish needs a clear line of sight to the satellite. Blocking buildings, walls, or trees might cause interference, and in some cases, cause your DIRECTV to lose connection.
Bad Weather
Rain, lightning, or high winds can cause interference with your signal. A windy storm can knock your dish out of alignment — even a heavy rainstorm strong enough to topple trees can disrupt your reception.
Cable Security
Often, the dish is not securely fastened to the roof, and that the cable from the dish down to your satellite receiver is not intact and free of cuts.
It leads to signal interference, and if the cables are worn out on top of that, it will surely mean one thing – a DIRECTV black screen with no sound.
How to Identify the Root Cause of the Problem?
When your DIRECTV screen blacks out, it can be frustrating to try and determine what’s causing the issue. If you’re having trouble with the screen on your TV, try checking the backlight panel or the T-connector first.
If it turns out that there is no TV-related issue, we can conclude that there is a problem with the DIRECTV Receiver.
Most Common Problems for Black Screens
The most common problems that contribute to DIRECTV black screen problem are as follows:
- The TV is not receiving or displaying the signal correctly from DIRECTV Receiver.
- The guide information in the receiver is correct but the video is not processing.
- Channel that will broadcast a special event that has to be paid to be watched.
There is no resolution for the third problem (if it can qualify as such), as there is no trace issue.
Instead, the user should pay if they would like to watch the special event on a channel that is included in their pricing plan (or pay extra to unlock an additional channel).
How to Fix DIRECTV Black Screen with Sound?
When you’re faced with a black screen on your DIRECTV, you have two options: you can either try all of the troubleshooting options listed in the manual, or you can call their customer service line or speak with an agent.
However, before you call a customer service agent, try to fix your receiver on your own.
Even if it’s a small problem and you can fix it in 5 minutes, you’ll save time and frustration by taking the time to figure out the issue yourself instead of waiting for someone to pick up your call while getting more agitated.
On busy days, you might way for more than half an hour before reaching somebody. Now let us learn how to troubleshoot the problem yourself:
Step #1. Start with the Basics
TV switch off and on. Sometimes, there is a minor signal interference that cannot be prevented. In this case, turn off and turn on the TV.
Step #2. Turn the Receiver Off and On
If you have a black screen on DIRECTV, consider turning the receiver off and then on. First, you have to locate the restart button. On most of the DIRECTV receivers, it is inside the access card door.
However, on some other devices, the button is located on the side of the receiver. Ensure that the front panel’s light is lit. If it still doesn’t work, proceed to step 3.
Step #3. Unplug the Receiver (reboot)
This is the most common question asked by CC agents “Did you unplug and plug back the receiver?”.
Once you unplug the cable from the power cord, wait for 15-30 seconds, and then plug it back in. Usually, a simple reboot fixes about half of the problems.
Step #4. Check the Cable Connections
The connection between TV-dish-received should be flawless. If there is some signal interruption due to issues with the dish, calling a satellite engineer might be the only solution.
Read Next: How to Watch Recorded DIRECTV shows on Computer?
Common Minor Issues that Cause DIRECTV Black Screen and No Sound
The Remote-Control Batteries are Exhausted – It’s an easy fix. Just change them.
Bad Cable Connection – Make sure all cables between your TV and your receiver are connected.
Wrong Ports – If both TV and DIRECTV Receiver are on but there is still nothing happening, consider changing ports (if possible)
Signal Strength – The signal strength should be 60 and above on HD receivers and 70 and above for regular receivers in normal conditions (clear weather).
You can identify this by running a signal meter test (press “Menu” and then look for “Setup“).
Troubleshooting Genie/Non-Genie Receivers
Although DIRECTV Genie receivers are pretty standard, there are also Non-Genie receivers on the market. Let’s have a look at how to reset the network connection in each one.
Genie Hardware
To reset Genie hardware follow these steps:
- Press the DASH button. “Internet: Connected” should appear.
- Press the MENU button,
- Then go to Settings->Internet Setup-> Reset Network Defaults
- Once network defaults are reset, click on Connect Now
Note: For the newest menus, press DASH twice.
Non-Genie Hardware
For Non-Genie hardware, you can do the following:
- Press the DASH button. “Internet: Connected” should appear.
- Press the MENU button and then go to:
- Settings and Help->Settings->Network Setup->Reset Network Defaults
- Once networks settings are reset to defaults, click on Connect NowError Codes that Cause Black Screen
Poor Signal Strength – Error code 771
When your connection to DIRECTV is suddenly lost, a common DIRECTV error code message may appear 771.
This issue can be very frustrating, as you will not be able to watch your favorite TV shows due to a poor signal.
How to Fix it?
- Press the MENU button
- Go to: Settings & Help->Settings->Satellite->View Signal Strength
- Press DASH
- Check each satellite
There should be some N/A’s, but if you see a number, it should be at least 75. If the numbers are all below 75, you should consider calling a satellite engineer to re-aim your dish or replace it.
Power loss – Error code 775
How to fix it?
- Make sure there are no loose cables
- Check if all the cables are in good condition
- Inspect all cables. If there are any bends, it is a sign of damaged cables.
- If required, consider replacements.
Follow this link if you want to find out more about the DIRECTV error codes.
Conclusion
DIRECTV black screen with sound might often be a symptom of more severe issues. One of the causes is low satellite signal.
However, other reasons also lead to this issue: from loose wires and cables to the dish and its placement.
And before you call the customer service agents or ask for a technician, why don’t you try fixing your DIRECTV issues yourself?
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.