Why does digital TV hang with a set-top box and how to fix it?

Digital TV users often face such a problem as freezing of channels. Blaming the network operator is not always a fair decision. In most cases, the problem of the incorrect operation of the television lies in the external or internal malfunctions of the broadcasting device (TV, antenna or receiver). To fix the problems, you will first need to identify their localization, which, with a competent approach to solving the issue, will not be difficult.

There are characteristic signs that manifest themselves at the moment when a digital TV with a set-top box hangs.

• Sound and picture are missing... This process occurs at regular intervals, which is a confirmation of the low quality of the broadcast signal coming to the TV using the antenna. If the reason is hidden precisely in the malfunction of the antenna, then when it is replaced or adjusted, the quality of the signal transmission is restored.
• The image is split into pixels. At the moment of freezing of the transmitted signal, the picture on the screen may not be split into many pixels, which look like cubes of different sizes. Such interference is caused both by a malfunction of the transmitting equipment and by external factors.
• The image is completely missing. This may mean that the signal has completely disappeared from the transmitting device. Such a problem can happen due to the fact that the transmission equipment has a problem, or it unexpectedly (for one reason or another) lost the previously set settings. In rare cases, the image may be missing if the channel has ceased to exist, but usually users are warned about this in advance. Another reason may be a change in the broadcasting frequency or maintenance by the provider.

The reasons why the TV stops showing digital TV channels are often related to the breakdown of broadcasting equipment. In this case, the following devices may be defective.

• TV antenna. If the antenna has a low sensitivity threshold or its signal transmission amplifier has burned out, then the result of such a malfunction will be a freeze or disappearance of the image. In order for the picture to be of high quality and not to malfunction, at least 60% of the total power of the incoming signal must be transmitted to the TV.

• Receiver (prefix). It often happens that this device freezes during operation due to the fact that the software is already out of date. Or the transmission cable is loosely connected to the connector.

• TV receiver. Often, the reason for the incorrect operation of digital TV is hidden in it. This is especially true for Chinese-made TV equipment, which does not have the appropriate firmware in the form of software (or they are incorrect). Re-flashing the software can solve the problem, but it is not always possible to complete it.

In the process of troubleshooting leading to incorrect operation of digital television, it may be revealed that the cause of the breakdown is not one, but a combination of several factors from the above.

In addition to internal localization faults, external causes can also affect the quality of digital image transmission.

• Meteorological conditions. If there is dense cloudiness on the territory of signal reception, heavy rains are falling or a hurricane wind is blowing, then such conditions will become a significant obstacle to the transmission of a TV signal, since it will be largely scattered.
• The TV channel ceased to exist... This is not uncommon with commercial television channels. The channel's broadcast can be suspended for an indefinite period or completely liquidated.
• Preventive maintenance... Such events are regulated by the provider, about which the user is informed in advance.

If the digital equipment does not work correctly, the first action that is recommended is to restart the receiver. The signal might not be received correctly or the device might just freeze, but a reboot will fix this problem in most cases.

If rebooting the console did not bring positive results, You should follow these steps to diagnose hardware and correct problems.

• Check the serviceability and power of the antenna receiving the signal... It is required that the digital TV signal gain index is 40 dB. With indicators below the specified value, it is necessary to replace the antenna with a more powerful analogue, since a weak model does not have the ability to receive signals with high quality, therefore the broadcast of TV programs is interrupted. Before proceeding, it makes sense to make sure that the amplifier is working properly and is connected to the set-top box.

• Check the operation of the receiver... If you suspect its incorrect operation, you need to check for software updates. If they have not been performed for a long time, then signal decoding may not be feasible. You need to update the software using the menu in the settings.

• Carefully inspect the connectors of the set-top box, TV and antenna - how tightly they are connected to the cable, whether there is burnout or wire breakage.

• You need to make sure that the subscription period for digital TV channels is paid... After renewing the subscription, the image will return to the TV screen only 24 hours after the payment was credited.

In order not to do large volumetric work at once to find the causes of malfunctions, it is recommended to follow the path “from simple to complex”.

• Check the image on other channels and compare with the faulty channel. Perhaps other channels will work correctly.
• In the absence of a picture, check the presence of power supply and inspect the integrity of the wires.
• Use the auto-tuning option, which solves the problem in cases when the parameters are reset.
• Check for software update. If necessary, update it.

You should also ask your neighbors how their digital television works. It may turn out that the problems are not isolated. If the listed diagnostic methods and ways of solving the issue turn out to be ineffective, then it makes sense to seek help from the specialists of the service center.

See the following video for tips to fix the digital TV freeze issue.