Error 101 "something went wrong"

[NewUser]

A few nights ago, watching any channel would result in a blue screen coming up saying that "Oops something went wrong", with an Error 101.

After rebooting things a few times, and trying both WiFi and Ethernet, the issue was still not resolved. I called the number on the screen, and the tech I reached had me reboot things again. She hinted she was doing something at her end, but was quite vague. After the third sequence of rebooting the modem, and the PVR, it started working. She couldn't give me a good explanation just "maybe there was an update or a power outage recently". (We also had a 7 second delay on the phone line, which she acknowledged was her end, and made communication very difficult).

I don't know if there's been a software update on the PVR, but there certainly has not been a power outage. My Internet is 1Gb/s, and it runs very well, testing at a consistent 936Mb/s down, and about 700Mb/s up, on a wired connection. I should also note that watching Fibe on my other devices, including Fire TV on the same TV works just fine. It's just the PVR.

The tech didn't really understand what it meant to be hard-wired with Ethernet. She had me try with WiFi also (same issue). She had to put me on hold to ask someone about how to deal with me being hard-wired, so I'm not confident she fully understood, and maybe didn't actually do anything at her end.

The real issue now is that it wasn't a one-time issue. It just it did it again today. Any channel would work for about 5 seconds before the blue screen would come up. Rebooting the PVR did not solve it. Although the Internet was running just fine, (as was Fibe on my other devices), I rebooted the modem, then the PVR again. It's working again now - it's been 15 minutes without failing, but I'm not sure for how long it will last before it happens again.

Again, my Internet connectivity is rock solid and fast. Fibe works well on apps, and on Fire TV. It's just when using the PVR. 

Is anyone else experiencing this issue? Was there a recent update that may be buggy?

[Stephenfw · Accepted solution]

This was happening primarily on the 4K but what I noticed was that when the 4K went down some of the others did as well. What I did to fix it was to delete the 4K receiver from the 3000 router then re login my 4K. That did it and I haven’t had issues since. Strange enough the 4K did not appear on the list of receivers when I queried all items that were logged on to my 3000. But it work

[Zee1]

I have 4 bell android boxes. Two are hard wired to the modem with Ethernet cable. No issues there. My error 101 was happening on the two boxes that were WiFi connected. I complained and spoke to a tech who said he would send me two signal boosters. I had to argue as they wanted to charge me for them. I don’t own the boxes so it is bells problem not mine. Anyway the problem was solved. If you are able to connect by Ethernet direct to the modem you are further ahead. 

[Stephenfw]

Hi @Zee1…my boxes that were wifi connected had the same issue. The solution I found was to delete them from your bell modem and then reassign them again. Of course reset your modem prior and that should work. 

[Chris9]

I keep getting error code 101 on my Bell fibe tv

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

If your receiver displays this message, it is most likely that the wireless receiver transmitter (VAP2500 or VAP3400) has been disconnected or turned off.

When this occurs, you may see a red dot instead of a green signal indicator on your wireless receiver and a message that mentions error code 101 will appear on all channels you try to tune to.

To fix the problem, follow the steps below:

1. Locate the wireless transmitter (VAP2500 or VAP3400). The unit is most likely located near your Fibe TV modem and connected via an Ethernet connection.
2. Verify that the transmitter is plugged into the Fibe modem via Ethernet cable and plugged into an AC outlet. Also, verify that the power switch on the back is set to the ON position.
3. Try repositioning the VAP2500 or VAP3400 to maximize the signal strength. Do not block, cover up or enclose this device.
4. If the above steps do not resolve the issue, follow these instructions to pair receiver with the transmitter.
5. Should you require further assistance, please call Bell Fibe TV tech support at:  1 866 797-8686

When the transmitter is connected via Ethernet and powered on, the signal to your wireless receiver should be restored automatically within a few minutes.

Thank you for posting your question.

Take care.

[Revive_HnG]

After I called the tech support line, I was told that it is 'a broadcasting issue' and nothing could be done about it.  And all I can do is wait and hope that the problem will somehow 'fix' itself.  Great . Bell tech 'support' never disappoints.  I wish that young man a bright future in his tech support endeavors. .

[Revive_HnG]

I have to mention: this guy had enough wits to figure out that my hardware was working well and did not make me do reboots.  

[dks]

Thank you for your concern. Can you please identify your service and receiver? Are you on Bell Satellite TV or Bell Fibe TV? Is this on one channel or on other channels? And have you rebooted your receiver? It is an essential first step in any troubleshooting. Have you tried the Virtual Repair Tool? Any error messages other than what you have already reported?  Let us know if this clears up or not. 

[Revive_HnG]

How am i supposed to type in this small space? Come on man. 
This is messed up.

--Can you please identify your service and receiver?

Fibe TV

HUB 3000

VIP2262 - HD PVR Receiver

2502 - Wireless HD Receiver

--Are you on Bell Satellite TV or Bell Fibe TV?

Bell Fibe TV

--Is this on one channel or on other channels?

on at least 4 channels

--And have you rebooted your receiver?

Rebooted the hub, receivers, VAP multiple times

--It is an essential first step in any troubleshooting.

--Have you tried the Virtual Repair Tool?

"The Virtual repair tool is temporarily unavailable."

--Any error messages other than what you have already reported?  

--Let us know if this clears up or not. 

Still there and I suspect additional channels or something else will fail later on.

My comments:

I was losing reception in some channels in the past. However it was temporary. Now the signal is gone altogether after a few seconds.

My best guess is it is the hub that is malfunctioning because it was replaced sometime last year after
I lost the wifi signal.

It is unfortunate Bell services are becoming increasingly unreliable despite the rising service costs.

Keep up the "good work" geniuses.

[BellPatricia]

Hi @Revive_HnG 

Thank you for your reply.

Can you clarify which channels this happens on, and if it affects both of your receivers at the same time?

We also recommend that you use the Virtual repair tool at the same time that you experience any trouble as it can help detect and resolve issues that may occur

Let us know if you need any more help. 

@BellPatricia 

[NIX_K6A]

My Bell Fibe TV service has started to have a problem again. It had this problem months ago, and I called Bell and spent an hour on the phone rebooting and resetting devices. They never found the problem and I continued to have it for about a week or two at that time, then it went away until May of this year (2025). So now I have been documenting all of the outages.

My equipment is a Home Hub 3000 I've had since about 2019 when Fibe was first offered to me. I have one Arris PVR unit on my main TV, and a simple receiver (Arris VIP2502) on a second TV.

The scenario is that the internet keeps working, but both TVs stop working with the "Oops! Something went wrong" message and Error Code 101. If I try to reset the devices or power off/on the boxes, they generally come back to an error 201W code. What's worked best for me is unplugging the units, waiting 15-30 minutes, then power back on and SOMETIMES the signal comes back. Often takes almost an hour before I can get things working again, doing the 10second reset on the HH3000 or having to power it right off (which I then lose internet and phone service for 5-10 minutes).

Wondering how many others have had this issue? I have used the virtual tool and it does not resolve things. Service starts working again but so far re-occurred within 24hrs each time. Did not bother calling the support line because I was getting the runaround and no direct info about what the error means. The last time I even asked if there was a newer model Home Hub I should look into buying to replace this one (I work in IT and know the equipment becomes obsolete quickly...) but was never offered a replacement, either free or as a purchase to replace this one I have.

Here's a chart of the failures so far, showing the date and time, how long before the TV came back on, the codes on each TV that I managed to write down, and what Mbps I was still getting on my internet service according to Ookla. Once I reach ten or more in May, I'll likely call to cancel the TV service. It's not worth it to pay $88.50 plus taxes for a service I cannot depend on. I'll be looking at alternatives by that point. Sorry Bell!

OUTAGE DATE	OUTAGE TIME	RETURNED	CODE 1	CODE 2	DOWN (Mbps)	UP (Mbps)
2025-05-13	07:45 PM	08:50 PM	101, 201W	101	802	746
2025-05-14	08:14 PM	09:17 PM	101, 201W	201X	769	762
2025-05-15	09:00 AM	09:56 AM	101, 201P	101	824	561
2025-05-16	10:15 AM	10:20 AM	101	n/a	825	790
2025-05-16	05:09 PM	05:32 PM	101, 201W	101	DOWN	DOWN

[GB70]

We have had this error code for a while now no the tv won't come on at all, rebooted the box tried to virtual repair tool that has been repairing for 25 min now and nothing. We want to stay with Bell but this is annoying AF going to be looking elsewhere, this is just to frustrating for the amount of money we are paying for something that consistantly fails.

[BellNick]

Hi there @NIX_K6A 
Thank you for your post and welcome to the Community.
Are you receivers connected via ethernet or Wi-Fi connection and are you able to test both connection types to see if the issue persists?
Can you share which model HDPVR you have?
Do you happen to have any printers connected to your Wi-Fi? If so, are you able to remove the printer from your Wi-Fi connection to see if the issue persists?
Are you using a VAP with your equipment? It looks like a little black tower, similar to the modem.
Looking forward to hearing back.

[BellNick]

Hi there @GB70 
Thank you for your post and welcome to the Community.
Are you able to share which receiver models you have?
Are your receivers connected via ethernet or Wi-Fi connection and are you able to test both connection types to see if the issue persists?
Do you happen to have any printers connected to your Wi-Fi? If so, are you able to remove the printer from your Wi-Fi connection to see if the issue persists?
Looking forward to hearing back.

[NIX_K6A]

I have tried with my PVR hooked up via hardwire Ethernet (modem is about 8 feet from the PVR), and using WiFi. The TV that has the simple receiver is WiFi. Both the PVR and receiver end up with the Error 101 at the same time. But my internet signal does not go down. I have a laptop and iPhone that can still connect via WiFi. I have been doing Ookla speed tests to confirm there was no dropoff in Upload or Download speeds. 

My two boxes are Arris VIP2102 (receiver) and VIP5662W (PVR 1TB). My neighbour across the street (also with Bell Fibe) does NOT lose their signal when my TV service goes out. Unfortunately, I did not check to see what PVR or HomeHub models that they have, but I assume they would be newer as mine were obtained at least six years ago and they got theirs more recently.

I do have two printers: Brother MFC-6490 and Canon TR7620. Both are using the WiFi. But the Brother is almost always off. The Canon is usually on as I need it for working from home. If you believe the printer(s) may be a possible interference cause, I can power them down to see if the TV problem ever surfaces with the printers off, but would be interested to know the thought process on why that peripheral would cause a problem. I lose the signal whether they are printing or have been idle all day.

I have no VAP equipment, and no extenders. The Home Hub is plugged into a UPS battery unit so it does not lose power during storms. I do have a 4-port D-Link unmanaged switch because I had five wired devices and the Home Hub 3000 only has four Ethernet ports. When I had the printers hooked up as wired devices, I needed the extra slots.