What to Do During a DISH Network Outage

Live TV signals from DISH travel a long path to reach your home, and there are three major touchpoints that can cause an outage: (1) the television stations that send their content to DISH satellites via radio waves, (2) the DISH satellites that bounce the radio signal down to your satellite dish, and (3) your DISH home satellite setup, which converts the signals for display on your television. When you lose just a channel or two, it’s most likely an issue at the TV station itself. But when most or all of your channels go out at once? That’s a true DISH Network outage. Here’s how to narrow down the cause of your signal loss and try some potential fixes to get your channels back.

Potential Cause: DISH Infrastructure Outage

DISH satellite outages can happen when there’s a glitch in the digital coding that directs radio signals between TV stations, DISH satellites, and your home equipment. Here’s what to try first if you get an official error message or just can’t get any channels.

Try these troubleshooting tips

1. Crowdsource for known DISH Network outages. Third-party outage tracker Downdetector surveys customers for issues they’ve faced within the last 24 hours, then graphs the total reports along with a percentage breakdown of issue types (e.g., “poor reception” or “total blackout”). Downdetector also provides a DISH Network outage map so you can do a quick visual check for issues near you.
2. Contact DISH. Tweet the DISH Answers team during select hours to ask if there’s a DISH Network service outage near you. You can also call the DISH customer support phone number 1-800-333-3474, which is staffed 24/7.

If there’s a confirmed area-wide DISH Network outage in your area, the only thing you can do is wait—but rest assured, DISH prioritizes these repairs to get your channels back ASAP.

If you can’t find evidence of a DISH satellite outage near you, you may be able to get service back sooner by troubleshooting your DISH home setup. Read on for potential causes on your end and the fixes you can try.

Potential Cause: Satellite Dish Issues

Your DISH home setup starts with your satellite dish. Sometimes, physical objects can knock your satellite dish out of alignment, disconnect wiring, or block radio signals(for example, any fallen branches, piling snow, or ice resulting from extreme weather conditions). Material changes to your home, such as new drywall, roofing, or carpeting, can also interfere with signal.

If physical objects aren’t the problem, your signal can still be disrupted by an issue with the digital communication between DISH satellites and your satellite dish. Here’s what to do.

Try these troubleshooting tips

1. Do a visual check for objects that may be blocking the signal. If you can easily remove them, go for it. But if you have to climb a ladder or go onto the roof, please call DISH to schedule a technician visit.
2. Contact DISH. Call the DISH customer support phone number 1-800-333-3474, which is open 24/7. Your representative will walk you through troubleshooting steps and try fixes on their end to narrow down the cause.

With DISH’s 99.9% network reliability and professional installation in up to six rooms, you can depend on optimal signal throughout the year and in many weather conditions. But if problems do arise, you can count on expert DISH technicians to know what to do.

Potential Cause: DISH Receiver Issues

The next piece of equipment that makes up your home satellite setup is your DISH receiver (i.e., set-top box), which converts the radio waves into digital signals your television can understand.

DISH receivers, like any electronics, can experience digital hiccups that cause a DISH Network service outage in your home rather than in a wider area. For example, a receiver can glitch if a service-wide update doesn’t upload properly, if it overheats and loses data packets—or if any random cyber-phenomenon proves once again that electronics have a mind of their own.

Try these troubleshooting tips

1. Check your receiver cables. Make sure the cables connecting your DISH receiver to your power outlet and your TV are in good condition and plugged in properly. Audiovisual cords that connect to your TV may include HDMI cords on newer receivers or RCA or component cords on older ones.
2. Reset your DISH receiver. Unplug the power cord (it usually has a red tag), then wait up to 5 minutes depending on your receiver model before plugging it back in.

If you need help while trying these fixes, check out the signal loss guide for your receiver or contact DISH at 1-800-333-3474.

Potential Cause: Home Internet Issues

Lastly, your home internet can cause a DISH service outage limited to your home setup. You might not expect your internet service to cause a DISH outage, since DISH uses satellite signals to deliver live channels. But most DISH receivers also require an internet signal to keep On Demand and DVR features working properly.

Side note: a reliable home internet connection may actually prevent a total DISH Network outage in your home. With DISH’s new Signal Protector guarantee, Hopper receivers can deliver select live TV channels by internet if you lose satellite signal. Try the steps below to see if your internet is helping or hurting your DISH connection.

Try these troubleshooting tips

1. Reset your router. You know the drill—unplug the power cord, wait 20 seconds, then plug it back in.
2. Reconnect to Wi-Fi. If you recently changed your router settings (e.g., password, security protocols), you may need to re-enter your Wi-Fi credentials to reconnect your receiver.
3. Try an Ethernet connection instead. Connect a spare Ethernet cord from your router to your DISH receiver. If that fixes your DISH Network outage issues, your Wi-Fi is the source of the problem, and you’ll need to contact your internet provider for help.

The Universal Troubleshooter: DISH Customer Service

The DISH TV outage tips above may prevent or shorten a customer service call—but don’t hesitate to contact DISH at any time. You can reach customer service 24/7 at the number below to get back to watching your favorite programming as soon as possible. Contact DISH at 1-800-333-3474