Fix Sky TV & Digibox Problems

Sky, Sky Plus & Sky+HD Remote Codes

When you receive your Sky remote it will operate your Sky Box straight out of the packet, it won't however operate your television (unless it's manufactured by Phillips) until you have told the remote which brand of TV you have.  To do this you will need to follow the instructions below, once completed the remote will operate basic functions on your TV such as volume, turning it on from standby, off to standby and cycling through the AV inputs.

Below you will find instructions and codes required for the most popular brands of TV.

Instructions and codes for the more common brands of TV.

Step 1: Turn your TV on.

Step 2: Press tv on your Sky, Sky+ or Sky+HD Controller.

Step 3: Hold down select and the red button together for about two seconds, until the red light on the Sky handset blinks twice.

Step 4: Press tv on your Sky remote control again.

Step 5: Key in the four digit code for your brand of TV (see below). The light on the Sky remote control blinks twice. If the light blinks once only, recheck the code for your brand of TV and start again at Step 1.

Step 6: Press the standby button on your Sky remote. If your TV switches off, press select. The light on the Sky remote control blinks twice (code stored). If your TV does not switch off, press tv, then press the standby button. Repeat this (press tv, then standby) until your TV turns off, then press select (stores code).

If at this point the LED on the Sky remote control blinks three times then all possible codes for that make of television have been checked. Repeat from step 1, ensuring that you enter the correct manufacturer code. If the remote still won't operate the TV you have you may find more codes my pressing Interactive on your remote then selecting Sky Customer Service > Programme Your Remote.

At the end of the sequence, if you see the TV Guide screen, the remote control setup process is complete. If you did not see the TV Guide screen, you must now complete the following steps.

Step 7: Press tv on your Sky remote control. 

Step 8: Hold down select and the green button together for about two seconds, until the red light on the Sky remote control blinks twice.

Step 9: Key in the number of the channel on your TV that you use for watching satellite TV.

Step 10: Press select on your Sky controller. The red light blinks twice. The controller setup process is complete.

Please help us to help you and others.... if you did not find your brand of TV or you know of a different 4 digit code that worked and isn't listed below please let us know by contacting Customer Services, we will then get the list below updated to include it.

Sky TV Link (Magic Eye) - Fault Finding

The Sky TV Link when installed and working correctly will allow you to watch and control your Sky box from a remote location.

However, sometimes they stop working which may lead to you thinking the unit is faulty, more often than not this is not the case, it's just an installation problem.  Here we cover fault finding for two different scenarios, one when the LED is lit, and one when the LED is not lit.

LED is NOT lit - I have installed my TV Link as per the TV Link - Installation section but it does not work.

Firstly you need to connect the TV Link directly to the back of your Sky, Sky+ or Sky+HD box.  Do not use any cables or connectors for this test, simply plug the female end of the Link on to the RF2 output.  If the LED does not light up when plugged directly on to the RF2 outlet you will need to follow the TV Link installation instructions, if when you are following the instructions the screen already says RF Power Supply - On, you will need to turn off and save new settings, then turn back on and save new settings.

If when plugged directly on to the RF2 output on the Sky box it now lights up you will need to check the cable and connectors at both ends of the cable, please ensure they are fitted correctly by following the steps below.

1. Most coax connectors can be broken down in to three parts, the main body, a clamp that sits in a cup on the main body and a cap that screws down on to the main body causing the clamp to grip the cable.
2. Begin by sliding the cap over the end of the cable. Then carefully score round the outer sheathing (about 12mm from the end) using a sharp blade and remove to reveal the copper braiding.  Fan this out and fold back so it lays flat against the cable toward the cap you put on earlier.
3. Cut away the centre dielectric (white plastic or foam) so it stands proud of the outer sheathing by 2mm, this will then reveal 10mm of the centre copper core.
4. Now feed the clamp part of the connector over the end of the cable until it rests on the outer sheathing ready to clamp down on the copper braiding.
5. Now put the main body of the connector on.  The centre copper core will go in to a small hole on the main body, the clamp will sit in the cup of the body and the cap is then slid up and screwed on, this will cause the clamp to tighten against the coax cable with the copper braiding trapped between the cable and clamp.
6. Give it a gentle tug to make sure it is fitted correctly.

Tip: When screwing the cap to the main body causing the clamp to tighten, make sure you have all the copper braiding pulled back as this must NOT touch the centre copper core.

1. Some wall plates, splitters and amplifiers will stop the DC signals from getting back to the Sky box, if you have any of these fitted somewhere in the cable run you will need to make sure they are suitable for use with a TV Link, if they're not you will need to replace them with compatible products.
2. The cable needs to be double screened to prevent noise leaking through as this can also cause problems with TV Links working.  If you have purchased satellite grade coax cable for a new TV Link installation this will be double screened, if you are using coax cable that you already had you may need to replace it.
3. Harmonics can cause problems as well, you will need to avoid multiple lengths of 11 meters. So if your total cable length falls between 10.5m to 11.5m, 21.5m to 22.5m, 32.5m to 33.5m etc you may need to extend the cable to fall out of these ranges.
4. The only other problem we have come across that can cause a TV Link to not work at the second location is the second TV running open circuit.  This causes an impedance mismatch, you can easily cure this by inserting a short piece of cable between the TV Link and the second TV.

If you have checked (and if necessary rectified) the above reasons for failure it could be you have a faulty TV Link, if this is the case you will need to contact Customer Services as they will be able to assist you further.

Can I buy my own Sky / Sky+HD Box?

Yes you can.
This question is probably one of the most common ones.  For some reason most Sky subscribers are under the impression that new Sky and Sky+HD boxes can only be purchased directly from Sky, this is in fact not true, you are free to purchase a box from wherever you choose and install it yourself.  See below for instructions on how to install your new Sky box yourself.

Note to the installation engineer! (Yellow Sticker)

When you receive your new Sky digibox it will probably have a yellow sticker on the front with the message....

NOTE TO THE INSTALLATION ENGINEER!
It is imperative that the Over Air Software
Download is performed during installation.

What you are about to do is a forced download of the software, this will mean that your digibox has the most up-to-date software currently available. We don't feel it "is" imperative but it won't do any harm and it means that if the software was updated by Sky between your digibox being manufactured and you installing it, the software will be current.

1. Connect the digibox to your Sky dish and TV then turn it on so you can see Sky TV.
2. Turn the power off at the plug so the digibox is completely dead.
3. On the top of the digibox you will see a button that says Back Up, you need to press this button and hold it in.
4. Whilst holding the Back Up button you need to switch the power back on at the plug, keep holding, don't let go of that Back Up button.
5. Now that you've switched  the power back on you will need to continue holding the Back Up button for about 30 seconds, after 30 seconds a message will appear on the screen saying "Updating System Software etc etc" and all the lights on the front of the box will come on.
6. Now that the message has appeared you can let go of the Back Up button.
7. After about 10 minutes (normally longer if you're abroad) the digibox will turn off and reset itself, give it a couple of minutes then turn it back on.

The Callback.
This really isn't worth doing because all it means is the digibox calls Sky and gives them the details of your new digibox, it doesn't stop you from having to call Sky yourself and giving them the exact same details to get your card matched to the digibox.

Do I need to connect my Sky box to a telephone line?

Well, ask Sky and they'll probably say yes on all counts, but in reality you only need to connect your Sky TV box to a telephone line if either of the below two reasons apply to you.

You WILL need to connect your Sky box to a telephone line if....

Subsidised Sky TV Box
If you purchased your Sky TV box from Sky at a reduced cost (subsidised) or were given a box free of charge then you will need to connect it to a telephone line for the first 12 months, after 12 months you can disconnect it from the phone line if you wish providing the second reason below does not apply.

Sky Multiroom
Sky Multiroom is where you have two boxes with separate viewing cards but running on the same account. Because Sky give you the same package on both TV boxes, the first at full price and the second at a reduced cost of £10 per month, Sky insist you connect both boxes to the same telephone line, by doing this Sky can monitor the boxes in as far as they know they're still in the same property.  It prevents customers for example from getting Sky Multiroom then giving one of the boxes and cards to a friend or relative to use at a reduced cost (£10 per month).  Both boxes will call Sky roughly every 30 days to let them know that both are still connected, this is called a "Callback", if one or both boxes do not carry out the automatic Callback Sky will send you a letter asking you to connect them both to the phone line on your contract, after a while if you do not do as Sky ask they will start charging the full subscription charge that you subscribe to for both boxes.

You will NOT need to connect your Sky TV box to a telephone line if...

1. You purchased a non-subsidised box from an independent retailer such as us.
2. You originally had a subsidised Sky TV box from Sky but a year has passed since you took your contract out with them.
3. You do not have Sky Multiroom, Sky Multiroom installations must have all boxes connected at all times.

If you end up buying your new Sky TV box from an independent retailer other than us please make sure you get it in writing that the box is definitely non-subsidised, this is because some retailers sell subsidised boxes as non-subsidised, if you end up with one it could cause problems with Sky when you come to pair your card to the new box.

Coding a Sky+HD remote to operate a Sky+ box.

If you accidently ordered a Sky+HD controller instead of a normal Sky+ controller and would prefer to make it operate the Sky+ box instead of exchanging it, please follow the instructions below.

How to program the Sky+HD controller to operate a Sky+ box.

1. Press the TV button on the controller.
2. Press and HOLD the Select and i buttons TOGETHER until the LED on the controller flashes twice.
3. Press the number 1 button.
4. Press the Select button.

The Sky+HD controller will now operate all Sky+ boxes but not the Sky+HD box.

How to change the Sky+HD controller back so it operates the normal Sky+ box again.

1. Press the TV button on the controller.
2. Press and HOLD the Select and i buttons TOGETHER until the LED on the controller flashes twice.
3. Press the number 2 button.
4. Press the Select button.

Please Note: If you have a Sky+HD box and a normal Sky+ box in the same room we do not recommend changing the Sky+HD controller to operate the Sky+ box as it could cause problems.

What are my delivery options?

We currently have two delivery methods, Royal Mail and FedEx.

Royal Mail
This is the default shipping method for smaller lower value items.  Orders sent using this method are usually delivered the next working day providing the order was received and paid for before 4pm. Please note the word "Usually"; we say this because although most items are delivered next day the Royal Mail 1st class service is not guaranteed.  We ask any customers that are experiencing a delay with delivery to please wait a reasonable amount of time before contacting us, ideally seven calendar days.

FedEx
Larger and/or more expensive items will have FedEx as the default shipping courier with a delivery estimate of 2 - 3 working days.  FedEx can also be selected for large and small items as a premium next working day service, there is a charge for this which varies from product to product and shipping destination so please add any items you wish to purchase to your basket and select your shipping destination from the drop down box, the correct charge will then be displayed in your basket before checkout.

Support questions and answers coming soon.

Work in progress. We thank you for your patience.

Sky TV Link (Magic Eye) - Installing

The Sky TV Link (magic eye) is an excellent gadget.... when it's working!

1. Press the SERVICES button once.
2. Press the NUMBER 4 button - (System Setup).
3. Press the 0 (ZERO) button, then the NUMBER 1 button, then the SELECT button - (Installer Menu).
4. Press the NUMBER 4 button again - (RF Outlets).
5. Press the DOWN ARROW button once - (Outlet Power Supply).
6. Press the SIDE ARROW button once to turn the power supply to on.
7. Press the DOWN ARROW button once again - (Save New Settings).
8. Press SELECT to finish the set-up.
9. Press SKY to exit the menu.

1. Press the SERVICES button once.
2. Press the RIGHT ARROW button once (Settings), then press SELECT.
3. Press the 0 (ZERO) button, then the NUMBER 1 button, then the SELECT button - (Setup).
4. Press the RIGHT ARROW button three times - (RF Outlets).
5. Press the DOWN ARROW button twice - (RF Outlet Power Supply).
6. Press the SIDE ARROW button once to turn the power supply to on.
7. Press the GREEN BUTTON to finish the set-up.
8. Press SKY to exit the menu.

If you now look at the TV Link the red LED should now be lit, if you are careful you can shield the remote and TV Link from the box using your body whilst cupping the remote pick-up part of the Link in your hand for testing, if the Sky channel changes you are ready to move on to the next stage - Cable.