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]

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.

[NIX_K6A]

Finally some good news on the Error 101 code I was experiencing. After trying various routines to try and get the error code to go away, it was eventually determined from talking to a moderator here and the support desk at 866-310-BELL, that my Home Hub 3000 may be at fault. Bell offered to replace the modem with a newer model (GigaHub).

The new modem arrived very quickly, and I had problems initially installing it, despite a very clear step-by-step guide on how to replace a Home Hub with a GigaHub. I planned to wait for after the weekend and try again. But on the Monday (May 26), the old Home Hub finally stopped working entirely. I went ahead and plugged in the new modem, and this time no errors. Only thing that was wrong was that it saw my high-speed internet (HSI) and my TV service, but no phone service. About an hour on the phone finally with Level-2 support and the phone service started working too.

This has been almost a full week now, and no new 101 errors. Working great so far. So I am back to being a happy customer from one that was almost ready to ditch the old modem in the river. I am pretty confident that the old Home Hub series modems have some sort of issue over time where it loses connection to the TV receivers, which explains why some posters here had reported the same problem after changing to a new Home Hub 3000. But if you can get Bell to exchange with a newer model (like the GigaHub), it will likely save you a lot of time, effort, and annoying outages.

Many thanks to @BellNick for his dedication to try and help on this, and to Yana at 310-BELL for getting the phone issue resolved afterwards. This is now RESOLVED for me as well.

[Mississausage]

For example – watching BNNBloomberg – haha, Bell's own channel! – fizzles out in a few seconds while watching the HD version. If/when I switch to the regular SD version all is fine. I pay for HD... I have FIBE with a HH2000 + PVR and all the devices are hardwired with Ethernet. So what gives on this and some other channels (Showcase, etc.0) ? – all HD which I am subscribed to.

Nothing has changed in my setup in months, if not years.

Tried rebooting everything – same error continues to recur on the same channels, it's not system-wide.

Calling tech support was no help. Anyone else getting this problem on just a few channels?
Is there a fix?

[BellPatricia]

Hey there @Mississausage Welcome to the Bell community 🙂
We want to help but we still need a few more details.
 

• Which TV receiver(s) do you have and does the error occur on multiple receivers at the same time? 
• What Internet package do you have? 
• Does the Ethernet cable run from your receivers directly to the modem or is there a splitter in between?

As you previously tried a full reboot the next step we recommend is to use our Virtual repair tool , when the issue occurs, so it can help detect and fix problems with your service.

Let us know the results!

@BellPatricia 

[Minskore]

I have bell fibe.  Every day, multiple times a day I get a blue screen and error code 101. I reboot and it’s fine again. But I’m fed up now. I’m paying hundreds of dollars a month for a service that should work continuously and without interruption. It’s frustrating to have to reboot multiple times a day and I’m not willing to do it anymore. I’m currently researching offers from other providers, and will likely move from Bell soon if this continues. And I’m also paying way too much. 300.00 a month for fibe tv and internet. It’s ridiculous. I know there are much better deals out there. But if I could get this working properly and at a fair price I’d stay with bell. But now with the tech issues I’m really motivated to move. Is there a permanent solution for this error and not just something that will work for a day. 

[BellPatricia]

Hey there @Minskore 

Welcome to the Bell community 🙂

Which TV receiver do you have and are you connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet? To start, we recommend trying all of the troubleshooting tips posted in these helpful replies 

Keep us posted, we are here for you if you need any more help. 

@BellPatricia 

[Minskore]

Arris, vip5662w, this receiver is connected to the tv via hdmi cable.  I’ve tried all the recommended troubleshooting, it gets better for a while and then happens again. 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Which Bell modem do you have? Home Hub 2000, 3000, 4000, or Giga Hub?

How is your VIP5662W PVR connected to your modem? Wireless or wired with an ethernet cable? If your receiver is connected as a wireless connection, are you able to connect your receiver to the modem with a wired connection? i.e. Ethernet cable.

Have you tried to do any troubleshooting? Fibe TV: troubleshooting tools, virtual repair tool and support

Have you used the Bell Virtual repair tool? Go to Virtual repair

Have you previously contacted Bell Fibe TV Tech support & reported the issues that you are experiencing? Please call: 1 866 797-8686

Please advise. We are here to help you out.

Take care.

[Minskore]

modem is 3000. Receiver connects to the modem wirelessly. They cannot be connected via Ethernet because bell installed the modem in a different room than the tv receiver. 

I have gone through all the troubleshooting techniques in the link you e referenced above. And yes I’ve previously called bell regarding this. Everything works fine temporarily then it reverts back to the same problem happening again.  No sane person should keep paying for a service like this. 

[BellNick]

Hi there @Minskore 
We'd like to take a closer look into this and have sent you a private message.
Please check your Messages within your profile avatar in the top right corner.
Unsure how to check or send a private message? See How to send a private message

[Tom71]

Yes Contributor III, have this issue since September 2024; every 3 days blue screen, error 101. only remedy so far is rebooting the modem to get it working again for 3 days. Have a dozen calls with Bell on file, changed modem and PVR 2x each - nothing makes a difference. Bell obviously has no idea how to resolve. Not sure how much longer I will stay with Bell

[BellPatricia]

Hey @Tom71 

Welcome to the Bell community 🙂

We want to help and need to get a bit more information. To start, please clarify what type of TV receiver you have.

Also:

• Which modem and internet package do you have?
• Are your receivers connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet?
• Does this impact multiple receivers at the same time?
• Do you see the error pop up on a certain station/show or is it sporadic?
• Has this occurred during live TV and recordings too? 

If you experience error 101 again try and change the channel to see if that helps restore your TV service, or if the error pops back up again after several seconds.

We also recommend using Virtual repair. Be sure to run virtual repair at the same time you experience any trouble as it can help detect and resolve issues with your Fibe TV service. 

Let us know if you need any more help.

@BellPatricia 

[Stephenfw]

I was having this problem for a while and the sequence of events and actions you’ve taken were almost identical. I think I figured it out and have not had this problem in a long time: Pull up on your router a list of all items connected to your network. Locate your specific box on the listing (Fibe TV with a MAC and IP address) - delete it. Reboot your box by unplugging it and a new IP address will be assigned. Hope this works for you.