Fix DirecTV ‘Error Code 771’ (Signal Loss)
Troubleshooting Signal Loss Issues with your DIRECTV at Home
Some DirecTV users are seeing the 771 error message (Signal Loss – No Signal) when attempting to watch certain channels or when attempting to power on their DirecTV device.
Although this message is indicative of an issue regarding the communication between the DirecTV receiver and the satellite dish, there are several underlying causes that might produce this error code. Here’s a list of potential scenarios that might cause this problem:
- Severe Weather – In most cases, the signal between your dish and the satellite might be temporarily lost due to severe weather impacting communications. If this scenario is applicable, there is nothing else you can do other than wait for the storm out and try again once the weather conditions improve.
- Outage period – According to some affected users, you can also expect to see this error if AT&T is currently doing some infrastructure changes, the servers are offline or there’s a bigger technical issue affecting DirecTV users in your area. If this scenario is applicable, there’s not much else you can do other than wait for the issue to be rectified by qualified technicians.
- An improper receiver or satellite connection – As it turns out, you can also expect this error code to get thrown due to an improper connection affecting the receiver to the satellite dish. If this scenario is applicable, you can most likely troubleshoot the issue by doing a series of verifications to ensure that the connection cables are unhindered and no obstructions are causing the 771 error code.
- Firmware inconsistency – If the problem is not related to bad weather or a connection issue, a firmware issue is the most likely culprit. Older DirecTV receivers have a tendency to ‘forget’ the connection with the satellite dish. To rectify this issue, all you need to do is prompt a dish response by sending a signal via your remote.
- Incorrect dish location – You might get this error code if something is blocking the connection of the dish with the satellite (a tree is a prime suspect for this). If the satellite dish doesn’t have a clear view of the sky, you’ll need to call a DirecTV support agent and ask for a tech to come and relocate your dish.
Now that you are aware of every potential cause of this issue, here’s a list of viable fixes that other affected users have confirmed to be effective in resolving the 711 DirecTV error in their case.
1. Check for an Outage period
Before you move on to mode advanced troubleshooting strategies, you should start by taking a look outside.
The 711 DirecTV error code is often associated with an Outage period caused by bad weather in your area.
The connection between the dish and satellite might be temporarily lost due to severe weather, or AT&T might be dealing with a bigger technical issue that affects DirecTV users in your area.
If you suspect that AT&T is currently dealing with an outage period, you should start by checking the DirecTV listing on DownDetector and Is It Down Right Now
If you find evidence of an outage period that is affecting DirecTV, all you can do is wait for the issue to be resolved by qualified technicians.
On the other hand, if you find no evidence of this problem being caused by an outdated period, move down to the next potential fix below.
2. Check Receiver to Satellite connection
If you’ve previously ensured that the issue is not being caused by a case of bad weather or outage period, the next thing you should do is ensure that the receiver is properly connected to your satellite dish.
When it comes to doing this, there are a few instructions you need to follow to ensure that the receiver connections & satellite dish connections are unhindered:
- Start by checking the Satellite-in (or SAT-IN) cable and make sure that all connections between your receiver and the wall outlet are secure (If you have adaptors connected to the cable, check them too).
Checking the Satellite connection - In case your receiver uses a power inserted (and it’s attached to the DirecTV cable coming from your dish, unplug it from the electrical outlet and wait for 15 seconds before plugging it back in – This will give the power capacitors enough time to clear themselves.
Clear the Power Capacitors - If you have access to your Satellite dish, ensure that nothing blocks the line of sight from the dish to the sky.
If you made every essential verification and everything checks out but you’re still seeing the 771, move down to the next potential fix below.
3. Send a Response signal to the dish
If the methods above we’re not effective in your case and you’ve made all the necessary checks to ensure that the problem is not related to a connection issue or bad weather conditions, the next thing you should do is troubleshoot against a firmware issue.
According to some issues that we’re dealing with the same kind of issue, pressing on the channel up button twice and then pressing on the channel down button twice will send a response signal to the dish and this might sometimes resolve the issue.
If the screen flashed a few times before the problem goes away, the fix has been successful.
In case nothing changes when you press these buttons, continue down to the next potential fix below.
4. Relocate the satellite dish
If none of the potential fixes above have proven to be effective in your case and you’re not dealing with a hardware-related issue, chances are the issue is occurring due to a non-ideal location of the satellite dish.
Most commonly, something is blocking the connection of the dish with the satellite – Check if a tree or other object might be interfering with the connection.
If you find this scenario to be applicable, the only viable option is to get in touch with a DirecTV support agent and ask for a tech to come out and relocate the dish.
Important: Under no circumstances should you climb on your roof and do these modifications yourself. DirecTV tech agents follow a series of safety rules and used specialized equipment to re-calibrate the satellite after the location is changed.
To get in touch with an official support representative from DirecTV, you can either call this number 800.531.5000 or you can open a chatbox by accessing the contact page.
