In order to work properly, a satellite receiver system must have the following in place:
- Properly pointed satellite dish
- Receiver set to receive signal from the correct satellite
- Active satellite account
If the satellite dish position has not changed since installation, and your account is current, you should be able to receive satellite programming. So, if your system isn't working correctly, the problem may be in how the receiver is set up.
To check to see if you are receiving a satellite signal, press your "Menu" button on your remote control. Choose option 6 (System Setup), then option 1 (Installation), and then option 1 (Point Dish/Signal). The "Point Dish/Signal" menu will show a "signal strength" bar, and to what satellite the dish is pointed.
The signal strength bar will also tell you if the satellite that the dish is pointed to is the correct satellite. Since some satellites are further away than others, having a dish pointed to a distant satellite will not yield the best signal.
To change the satellite that the receiver is attempting to receive, use the remote control to move the menu selector to the "Satellite" field in this menu. You can scroll up or down to select the satellite you want. Once a satellite is found, wait a few moments to allow the signal strength bar to show whether the signal is strong enough or not. If the signal is strong enough, the signal strength bar will turn green.
Another factor to consider is "which transponder on the satellite is the receiver connecting to?" Dish Network has a specific transponder on each satellite that it uses to transmit video and audio information, so it is important to have the transponder (or "Spotbeam" as it may also appear on your menu) setting correct. If the transponder information is set incorrectly, the receiver will not receive the satellite signal. If the transponder information is correct, however, the signal strength bar will show proper signal strength and will turn green.