Is your Virgin Media Catch Up not working and you’re not 100% sure of the reason why? Do you want to find out the troubleshooting steps to fix it?
To fix and troubleshoot the problem, first, run a network or internet connection test. Then, check the status of your service and ensure that all connections and leads are plugged in securely. After that, transfer and connect the HDMI cable to port 1 of your telly.
Solving the problem is one thing but identifying the culprits of why it’s happening is another.
And in learning the fix, it’s imperative that we understand why your Virgin Media Catch Up TV is not working, too.
Reasons Why Catch Up is Failing to Load
As opposed to what most people believe in, an outage isn’t the only reason why this happens.
In fact, there are quite a few reasons as to why Virgin Media Catch Up is failing to load.
Among these reasons include, but are not limited to:
- Unstable or bad internet connection
- Improperly connected wires and cables
- Outdated software of the TiVo box
- Outdated TV set-top box (STB)
- Network outage or maintenance issues
Knowing these causes will allow you to have a more solid and accurate approach to solving the problem.
Virgin Media Catch Up Not Working? – Complete Steps
If you’re not sure what the actual reason is, don’t worry! In our guide, we will cover all the possible causes of why it’s not loading or working.
Step #1: Test Your Internet Connection’s Stability/Reliability
Just like On-Demand, Virgin Media Catch Up relies on an internet connection for it to work.
Therefore, if you aren’t on a stable network, there’s a big chance that it won’t load or open.
You can test your internet connection by performing the following steps:
- Go to SpeedTest
- Click Go on the middle part of the page.
- Wait for the system to finish the checking or testing.
- Lastly, check the results and see if it matches the package you have.
If it’s substantially slower than what you should be getting, try power cycling your hub or router, then check again.
Should the sluggish speed persist, contact VM’s customer support team, and inquire about what’s happening.
Step #2: Use the Network Connection Assistant
After that, check the connection capability of your box.
You can use the Connection Assistant to test and see if there’s a problem with how your box connects to the internet.
Connection Assistant is a function that can check the current status of your Virgin Media.
May it be with the internet connection, the communication of the box with the towers, etc.
Here’s how to do it:
- On your clicker, press [HELP].
- Then, work your way and navigate to Connection Assistant.
- Press [OK] or [SELECT] on your clicker.
- Select YES to answer the confirmation.
Should your box be connected to the internet, it will say Pass. If it doesn’t say Pass, meaning, there’s a problem with its connection to the hub.
So, either power cycle the hub or reconnect the Ethernet cable (for wired connections).
Step #2.1: Run a Service Status Check
Before you go to the next step, it will be helpful to check the status of your service first.
To do this, you simply have to visit Virgin Media Service Status page. Then, sign in or log into your account. From there, you can select the service you wish to know more about and wait for the results.
Alternatively, you can select Service Status in Your Area, type in your postal code, and wait for the system to give you the results of the test.
This is a tool you can use to see if there’s ongoing maintenance or system repair going on in your area. With this, you don’t have to phone in to ask if there’s an outage.
Step #3: Check the Leads and Connections Plugged In
After checking your network and area, what you want to do next is to check all the leads and cables connected to the box.
Loose or improperly connected cables often result in errors. So, check the leads and connections to your box.
- Disconnect and reconnect all cables one by one.
- When you reconnect, make sure that you hear the “click.”
- Do this to all connections to the Virgin Media box.
NOTE: The “click” sound is the sign that the cable has been connected properly.
Step #4: Transfer and Move the HDMI to Port 1
Now, this step is what baffles most users, especially those that use 4K UHD TVs and higher versions.
For tellies like this, the HDMI Port coming from the box needs to be plugged into HDMI Port 1.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t work or you may experience problems even when it works.
To do this, you simply have to do Step #3, and instead of connecting it to the same port, make sure you connect it to port #1.
After doing this, start the box up again and proceed to the next step.
Step #5: Update the Firmware or Software Version of Your Box
The last and final step of the process is to update the software or firmware version of your Virgin Media box.
While Virgin Media boxes usually have auto-updates, there’ll be times when they won’t, so you have to do it manually.
To do this, you simply have to follow these steps:
- Go to the Home section of your box by clicking the TiVo button.
- Then, navigate to Messages and Settings > Settings > Network and Phone.
- From there, select Connect Now.
- This will force TiVo to connect to the service and if updates are available, it’ll update.
Wait for the process to finish, which can take anywhere between three (3) to five (5) minutes.
When done, the dilemma of your Virgin Media TiVo Catch Up not working should be fixed. It will now work again like how it should.
Still Having Virgin Media Catch Up Issues?
However, there are situations where this troubleshooting process won’t be enough to fix the problem.
In this case, you’ll have to contact Virgin Media’s technical support team that caters to On-Demand and Catch Up clients.
Tell them that your VM Catch Up service isn’t loading even after you’ve accomplished the troubleshooting steps we outlined above.
They’ll not only help you figure out what the cause is, but they will also lead you to the path of resolving it for you to have access to Catch Up.
To sum it all up, first, check your internet connection, and then run a status service or a diagnostic test. After that, check and ensure that all cables and wires are plugged in (HDMI needs to be at port 1).
Read Next: How to Stop Virgin Media Blocking Sites?
Conclusion
Whether you’re using a TiVo box or any other VM box offering Catch Up and On-Demand services, you’ll be able to use our guide for your benefit.
While the problem of Virgin Media Catch Up not working is common, asking for a professional’s help wouldn’t be necessary, especially if you religiously follow the steps we gave above.
You can do it on your own, even if your technical know-how isn’t that deep.
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.