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TiVo Repair and Troubleshooting Guide: Problems and Solutions

See below for information on common problems and solutions associated with a variety of TiVo DVR systems. If the problem you are having is not discussed below, please take a look at our searchable knowledgebase for more information and recommendations.

FixMyTiVo.com also has some useful TiVo Repair resources, as does the weaKnees TiVo Repair and Troubleshooting Guide.

Common Problems and Solutions for Standalone TiVo Systems

Problem Possible Causes Possible Solution
TiVo Will Not Boot
  • TiVo stuck on "Powering up..."
  • TiVo stuck on "Almost there..."
  • TiVo has Green "A Severe Error has occurred..." screen (GSOD)
  • TiVo constantly restarts and never boots completely
 
  • Hard drive failure
  • Defective power supply
  • Systemboard failure
  • Defective or damaged cable
 
90% of TiVo failures with these symptoms are hard-drive related and can be solved with a replacement drive kit. These kits will NOT affect your subscription status - even if it is a lifetime subscription.
Modem Problems
  • TiVo has no guide data
  • TiVo holds line open when phone line is connected
  • Error: "Failed. No Dial Tone
  • Error: "Failed. Modem Not Responding
  • Error: "Failed. Could not Connect
  • Other dialing errors
 
  • Improper dialing settings
  • Bad/defective cables
  • Bad/defective modem
  • Modem needs to be reset
  • Trouble with TiVo's servers
  • Use of VoIP (Vonage, Packet 8, Verizon FIOS, etc.)
 
  • Follow "Phone Troubleshooting" Tips in TiVo on-screen menus.
  • Consider a replacement TiVo modem kit
  • Series1 units can use TurboNet or CacheCard to complete daily call via networking connection
  • Series2 units can use USB Ethernet adapter to complete daily call via networking connection
  • LifePreserver Flat-Fee TiVo Repair
Unreliable TiVo Behavior
  • TiVo unexpectedly freezes
  • TiVo audio & video stutters
  • TiVo restarts at random times while watching live TV or recorded programs
 
  • Hard drive failure is the most common cause of these problems
 
90% of TiVo failures are hard-drive related and can be solved with a replacement drive kit. These kits will NOT affect your subscription status - even if it is a lifetime subscription.
TiVo Overheating
  • Unit shuts down due to overheating
  • Higher than normal temps reported on system information screen

  • Defective fan
  • Fan not reconnected after kit installed
 

Common Problems and Solutions for DirecTV TiVo Systems

Problem Possible Causes Possible Solution
TiVo Will Not Boot
  • TiVo stuck on "Powering up..."
  • TiVo stuck on "Almost there..."
  • TiVo has Green "A Severe Error has occurred..." screen (GSOD)
  • TiVo constantly restarts and never boots completely
 
  • Hard drive failure
  • Defective power supply
  • Systemboard failure
  • Defective or damaged cable
 
  • Hard drive replacement kit
90% of TiVo failures are hard-drive related and can be solved with a replacement drive kit. These kits will NOT affect your subscription status - even if it is a lifetime subscription.
Modem Problems
  • TiVo holds line open when phone line is connected
  • Error: "Failed. No Dial Tone
  • Error: "Failed. Modem Not Responding
  • Error: "Failed. Could not Connect
  • Other dialing errors
 
  • Improper dialing settings
  • Bad/defective cables
  • Bad/defective modem
  • Modem needs to be reset
  • Trouble with TiVo's servers
  • Use of VoIP (Vonage, Packet 8, Verizon FIOS, etc.)
 
  • Follow "Phone Troubleshooting" Tips in TiVo on-screen menus
  • Review relavent TiVoFAQ passages
  • Try using ,#034 or ,#019 as your dialing prefix (,=pause)
  • Replace drive with PTVnet kit (disables requirement for daily call)
  • Try a new TiVo modem
Unreliable TiVo Behavior
  • TiVo freezes at random times while watching recordings or live TV
  • TiVo audio & video stops and starts at random times
  • TiVo audio / video becomes out of sync for a short period (stutters)
  • TiVo restarts at random times while watching live TV or recorded programs
 
  • Hard drive failure
 
  • Hard Drive Replacement Kit
90% of all TiVo failures are hard-drive related and can be solved with a replacement drive kit. These kits will NOT affect your subscription status - even if it is a lifetime subscription.
Problems Acquiring Signal
  • DirecTV/TiVo sticks when attempting to acquire satellite signal
  • DirecTV/TiVo unable to display live TV on either satellite feed
  • Heavy pixellation that is reproduceable when you rewind and play the same segment back
 

  • Defective tuner on TiVo motherboard
  • Possibly a defective power supply
  • Defective satellite input or LNB
 

  • Confirm you have chosen the correct dish type in satellite setup
  • Confirm that you have chosen the correct number of inputs
  • If one input works and one does not, try switching satellite cables to see if the problem follows the cable
  • If these steps don't work, then you likely need a TiVo tuner repair
Loss of Locals
  • DirecTV/TiVo no longer displays local channels
 
  • Installed new replacement drive kit
 
  • Wait 24-hours and locals should start being received
  • Call DirecTV (800-DIRECTV) and tell them that you have lost local channels; they can send a signal to reset your card immediately.
  • Log into your account at DIRECTV.COM and "refresh" your services.
TiVo Overheating
  • Unit shuts down due to overheating
  • Higher than normal temps reported on system information screen

  • Defective fan
  • Fan not reconnected after kit installed
 
  • check and reconnect fan, if applicable
  • replace fan
  • replace power supply with a new TiVo power supply

 

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