Satellite signal loss

[Wakka197]

Why sometimes satallite signal loss and keeps happening? It happens in evening for a second or two every so often. What are causes . It not weather it happend on clear sky 

[BellPatricia]

Hey @bert1,

Thanks for your post, and welcome to the Bell Community 🙂

What type of receiver do you have? Is there a certain error message on your screen when you lose signal? Did the issue only start once you moved the receiver to another TV, or does it happen on both of the TV sets?

Can you also share if you have done any troubleshooting steps so far?

We have a great support article that you can review as well which includes some helpful troubleshooting tips: My Bell Satellite TV signal fluctuates 

Let the Community know if you have any other questions.

- Patricia 

[bert1]

Hi, The sat box is a 6500. We changed the box a few weeks ago thinking it was the box. The problem is still there. only the box to the one tv in the basement shuts off. It can be ok for days. The satellite can come back without us doing a thing 1 hour later or a day later. We never know when.  We have 4 boxes but only one has the problem. We checked the connections, changed the cables. Did not check the satellite cable. there is no error messages

[BellNick]

Hi there @bert1 
Is there any particular error code / message that comes up on the screen?
We'd recommend checking to ensure all your connections are connected securely.
Just to clarify, if you move this receiver to one of the other locations of your other receivers, does the issue still persists or does it only persist on that specific connection of wires (the connection in your basement)?
Has there been any strong winds that possibly moved your dish out of alignment? Do you know what your satellite signal strength shows?
Looking forward to hearing back.

[Underbalanced]

Certain channels on bell express vu are intermittent.  I use the signal meter on my receiver and it looks like some transponders are fluctuating. Anybody else having this problem?

[dks]

The most common cause for signal variation is dish misalignment. That and cable leakage. I have had no issues with Bell Satellite TV all summer. 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Your TV reception will fluctuate if your Bell TV receiver momentarily loses the signal from the dish.

Possible causes:

1. Severe or inclement weather.
2. Obstruction - tree foliage in the summer, snow & ice in the winter, or other obstacles that are blocking the path of the signal.
3. Cnfiguartion issues - Try doing a Factory reset.
4. If you are unable to view your full programming, you can synchronize your programming in MyBell.
5. Do you have any Error messages?
6. Have you checked for loose connectors & frayed cables?
7. Have you tried runing a signal test? Select Menu > System setup or Settings
8. Have you contacted Bell Satellite TV tech support? Call: 1 888 759-3474

Take care.

[Underbalanced]

Misalignment and cable leakage shouldn't knock out a couple transponders and leave the others at 90% on 1 satellite. 

[dks]

Thank you. You obviously have more technical knowledge than most, including myself. However, one other factor to consider is geomagnetic storms.

I note that both the MyBell software and web page are giving me an outage warning for my satellite TV services at the two locations where I have that service. My satellite TV service does appear to be working at the moment, however. There is no indication of the cause of the outage on MyBell. It does say that service will be restored on August 17, 2024 between 12 Noon and 4 PM. The notice was effective August 16, 2024 at 5:30 PM. 

It's not always mentioned, but satellites are affected by space weather and solar storms as a result of sunspots and corona mass ejections. These are the release of very high energy particles which can affect satellites as they pass. We tend to ignore the effects of a CME as we are protected by our planet's magnetic field. Severe ones can affect radio service and even cause power outages. Satellites, however, can be affected by solar storms and even rendered useless by them. Bell has one  satellites, nimiq  6, in geostationary orbit. They orbit at 35,786 km, from Earth, well out in space. They are also designed to survive geomagnetic storms.

So what about geomagnetic storms right now? According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, "Solar Cycle 25 likely reached the highest sunspot number yet - a value of at least 299. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) non-official, estimated daily sunspot number for August 8th was 337, a value not observed since March 2001."

More severe geomagnetic storms will arrive this weekend. You can follow space weather here. Homepage | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

While this may or may not be the cause of your fluctuation, it is another factor to consider. It should also be noted that geomagnetic storm interference is also related to latitude. The closer you are to the north magnetic pole, the more likely the effect of geomagnetic storms will be visible. It's called the Northern Lights. They have been spectacular this week at about 45 degrees latitude, here on the Great Lakes. 

[RB1]

I have lost satellite signal 91 which updates my guide and gives us lower numbered channels. I’ve had service calls before and know trees interfere with  service. Loss of service started in the early summer when leaves filled the trees. However, I cannot trim trees as they are on the Niagara Escarpment behind my house. I am paying for service and only get half the channels. Now my tv is frozen on screen trying to update satellite 91. 

[dks]

Thank you for your question. It appears you have two issues; living on the Escarpment and the loss of signal.

I also live in a municipality on the Niagara Escarpment and am well aware of the complex issues involved. That being said, if you have not done so, an inquiry to your local conservation authority or the NEC itself may provide clarity on your tree question and what you may or may not do. I know you can't cut down trees without a permit, but trimming may be permitted.  

With respect to your loss of signal, I believe the channels are split between the two satellite transponders, so there is no duplication. You might wish to have a Bell technician relocate your dish so that it has a clear line of sight to the Bell satellites. 

[Underbalanced]

Eventually found the problem. Faulty receiver not sending the right voltage to the lnb.  Took receiver from bedroom and are now using it.  NOW I AM TOTALLY LOST AS TO SENDING THE FAULTY RECEIVER BACK TO GET FIXED.  Was on the phone with Bell for 35 minutes last night when it became obvious that the Bell representative was trying to infuriate me so I hang up.  They had NO intention of actually helping me with my problem. I will be canceling 

[Fire Chief Bill]

I have recently lost satellite signal. . No sat 91 at all no help from Bell.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

In order to assist you further, can you please provide the community with the model of receiver that you recently acquired? The satellite may need to reacquire the signal. Have you run the Check or Check switch option?

I have included the following web link that will assist in setting up your replacement. Please select your receiver model. Once you have chosen your model of receiver, Select > Step-by-step tutorials. This will take you to a list of subcategories. Within these subsections there will be a tutorial that will guide you through the replacement & setup instructions.

Receiver and Remote Control - Bell Satellite TV Customer Support

My Bell Satellite TV signal fluctuates

Let the Community know if you have any other questions.

Take care.

[Fire Chief Bill]

I have Bell satellite service on my boat and recently both me and my neighbouring boat suddenly lost sat signal. The call centre help didn’t help and could only suggest we get a technician out to look at it 🙄 There are no technician in my area so that was not an option. I had a new spare receiver so I plugged that in but nothing from sat 91🤷‍♂️
Another thing is that the normal start up process of downloading the programming with the bar moving across the screen is not happening. 
Something significant has happened to the output of satellite 91. The system is not really usable as it is and I’m thinking about moving to another provider is I can’t get any results. 
Can someone help me and my neighbour who has also lost signal 

[BellPatricia]

Hey there @Fire Chief Bill

Thanks for reaching out to the Bell Community.

Can you clarify what type of TV receiver you have? Do you see a specific error message on your screen?

We also recommend checking out the link that @WelshTerrier posted above < My Bell Satellite TV signal fluctuates > where you will find steps on how to reacquire the signal to your satellite dish.

Please try that out, and let the Community know if you need any more help.

@BellPatricia