Your DIRECTV running receiver self check for longer than usual then there is definitely something wrong either with the TV or the receiver. Luckily there is more than one solution and we’re about to share it with you in this post.
Your DIRECTV may be stuck on the receiver self-check screen if the TV or receiver is not working properly or there is a lack of power. Your remote could not be functional or there could be potential hardware damage, preventing your receiver from running the check.
The oversimplified explanation might not be enough for most of you. In that regard, next, we’re going to review the most frequently reported cause by users with the same issue as you.
Why Does My DIRECTV Keep Saying Running Receiver Self Check?
A receiver self-check is initiated whenever your receiver’s system detects something isn’t quite right. This could usually occur after a sudden power outage or when your receiver hasn’t been shut off the correct way.
Here is what could have gone wrong with your receiver:
Problem With Service Providers
Sometimes if your receiver isn’t catching any reliable signal from your service provider, it could get stuck on the self-check screen.
Cable Issue
A potential cable interruption may brick your receiver in the self-check screen resulting in a self-check loop.
TV Issue
Glitch or temporal power malfunction with your TV’s firmware may also cause this issue.
Not Working Remote
If your remote isn’t in functional condition, you may be unable to finalize the self-check.
Hardware Trouble
Electrical components age and any piece could go wrong at any time. If something had happened to interrupt the connection between your TV and receiver, the self-check would never pass.
With that mentioned, you can proceed to the troubleshooting guide and hopefully get the issue solved as soon as possible.
How To Fix DIRECTV Running Receiver Self Check?
Now that you’re familiar with the causes a little better, why not try restarting your receiver once or twice? Sometimes this may be just enough to resolve the problem and save you some extra time off of troubleshooting.
If that didn’t help, here are the best solutions available for your issue.
Solution #1 Hard Reset TV & Receiver
We will start this troubleshooting guide with a simple hard reset on both of your devices. If you’re not familiar with how to perform a hard reset, follow the instructions down below.
How To Hard Reset DIRECTV Receiver?
- Power down the DIRECTV receiver and unplug the power cable from both ends.
- Wait for 30 seconds and plug the cable’s first end into your receiver and then the power source.
- Wait for another 5 minutes and power on your receiver.
How To Hard Reset ANY Smart TV?
- Power down the TV and unplug its power adapter.
- Wait for at least 5 minutes.
- Plug the power adapter back into a wall outlet and turn on your TV.
Once you’re done with hard resetting both devices, you can test if the self-check loop is still there. If however, the issue persists, you can proceed with the next solution.
Solution #2 Troubleshoot HDMI Cable
It is possible that the HDMI cable you have connected to your TV and receiver has gone faulty, leaving your receiver stuck at the self-check screen.
Since many users have reported that their HDMI cable was responsible for the self-check loop, here is how to inspect it firmly:
- Plug HDMI cable to another port in the receiver – Plug the HDMI cable into a different port in your receiver.
- Plug HDMI cable to another port in TV – Plug your HDMI cable into another port in your TV to see if that will help.
- Use HDMI on another device – Try the HDMI cable on another device to determine whether the cable is functional or not.
If none of the solutions worked, perhaps your HDMI cable has gone faulty and you will have to purchase a brand new one to proceed using your receiver.
Solution #3 Change Power Source
If the DIRECTV is running receiver self check in a loop, even after confirming that your HDMI is a hundred percent functional, it’s time to address the power delivery.
To safely change the power source of your DIRECT receiver, please follow these steps:
- Power off the device by pressing the hardware button once.
- Unplug the power adapter from the power source.
- Locate another suitable power source and plug your device in.
Note: Avoid plugging your receiver into power strips or dividers as this could be the reason you’re getting issues on your device.
It is also recommended to plug your receiver into a trusted source where you had another device plugged in by now.
Solution #4 Fix Remote
It might sound unbelievable but if you’re remote was not functional at the time of the self-check it is possible that it was the reason for the endless loop.
Here are a few things you can try to ensure that the remote is in a good condition:
Try Replacing the Batteries
Carefully unscrew the compartment underneath your remote and after ejecting the older batteries, insert the fresh ones.
Clean Remote Hardware
With a slightly wet napkin, carefully remove the dust particles around the battery compartment and the remote’s internal hardware.
Re-Pair The Remote
Try re-pairing your remote using the setup button, in case it got disconnected. You can do that by holding the setup button while aiming towards your receiver for several seconds and inserting the device-specific code.
It is best to search the remote activation code online since we cannot pinpoint the exact combination for your TV. If, however, the remote turns out to be healthy and not the reason, let’s take a look at the TV itself.
Solution #5 Update Your TV
If your DIRECTV running receiver self check then turns off then it could be the TV’s firmware. Since the operating system is the key to proper communication with the receiver, here you’ll learn how to update it to the latest possible.
You can update almost ANY smart TV following the steps below:
- Exit the receiver’s HDMI source.
- Enter your TV’s menu and go to the Options.
- Find a tab labeled as “Firmware version” or “Software update”
- Once in the tab, follow the on-screen steps and update your TV.
If the automatic update does not work for you, there is a way to do it manually.
You’ll need to navigate to the official TV brand website and download the latest software on a USB stick. Then plug it in one of the TV’s USB inputs and locate the flash USB drive content through the TV settings.
In case the software is up-to-date and you’ve tried everything else in this post but the self-check loop is still there, you should start suspecting hardware problem.
To fix the DIRECTV receiver that is stuck on the self-check screen, first hard reset both your TV and receiver and check all cable connections. Then, troubleshoot the remote, change the power source and update your TV to its latest firmware version.
Read Next: Why is DIRECTV Stuck on One Channel?
Bottom Line:
Now that you know why DIRECTV is running receiver self check glitch could occur, you can easily resolve the issue at home.
If it turns out to be a hardware malfunction at the end, then you should advise a technician for a repair as soon as possible!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.