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.
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
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- Hard drive failure
- Defective power supply
- Systemboard failure
- Defective or damaged cable
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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
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- 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.)
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- 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
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Unreliable TiVo Behavior
- TiVo unexpectedly freezes
- TiVo audio & video stutters
- TiVo restarts at random times while watching live TV or recorded programs
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- 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
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- Defective fan
- Fan not reconnected after kit installed
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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
|
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- 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
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- Defective tuner on TiVo motherboard
- Possibly a defective power supply
- Defective satellite input or LNB
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- 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
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Loss of Locals
- DirecTV/TiVo no longer displays local channels
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- Installed new replacement drive kit
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- 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.
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TiVo Overheating
- Unit shuts down due to overheating
- Higher than normal temps reported on system information screen
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- Defective fan
- Fan not reconnected after kit installed
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- check and reconnect fan, if applicable
- replace fan
- replace power supply with a new TiVo
power supply
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