Cable providers such as Suddenlink offer digital video recorders so you can expand on the features and options available over traditional cable service. DVRs allow you to pause, rewind and fast forward a program you're already watching and to record programs you would otherwise miss and save them for future viewing. Should you opt to add this feature to your cable service, it's only wise to learn how to troubleshoot it when it occasionally fails to work.
Reset the DVR
No matter who your cable provider is, the first step that it will have you perform when encountering DVR problems is to reset the unit. This is done simply by removing the power cord from the back of the DVR unit and leaving it unplugged for 30 seconds. Plug the power cord back in and test DVR functions after the unit has fully rebooted. It's for good reason that technical support representatives will always have you restart the DVR because it can often solve the vast majority of simple problems your DVR can experience.
Test All DVR Functions
If the reset doesn't restore your DVR to working, it's necessary to determine the scope of the problem. If your DVR is only encountering problems when trying to playback DVR recordings or trying to save recorded programs, the internal hard drive on your DVR unit may have failed. If, however, every one of the DVR functions is failing, including setting up future programs to record and pausing and rewinding programs you're currently watching, the problem is with all the DVR services generally and some further troubleshooting is required.
Verify Service
To use Suddenlink's DVR features requires not only a DVR unit itself but requires the DVR services to be enabled on the unit as well. In other words, if you're not subscribed to Suddenlink's DVR service, your DVR won't work even if you have the Suddenlink DVR unit. Clearly if your DVR was working before, then you have subscribed to DVR services, but those services may have been unintentionally removed from your account in error. Contact Suddenlink to verify that DVR services are on your account.
Notify Suddenlink Support
It's also possible that even after verifying that DVR services are on your account, your DVR still wont' work. The best thing to do in this case is to contact Suddenlink technical support so that you can report the problem to them. Technical support departments are armed with more advanced monitoring and repair tools than are available to the customer, so the tech support rep may be able to fix your DVR over the phone. If he can't, he can arrange to have your DVR unit replaced if necessary.
Find Cable & Satellite Service deals in your area:
privacy & security protectedReferences
- Suddenlink Support; HD/DVRs
- Suddenlink Support; Scientific Atlanta Explorer Digital Video Recorder User's Guide
