Are you travelling and suddenly your satellite antenna stops working? No need to worry! We'll show you simple solutions and when it makes sense to call in a professional.
Possible causes at a glance
- Connection and connections: Loose or damaged cable connections between the receiver and satellite antenna as well as a defective LNB can interfere with reception.
- Devices and Settings: Incorrect settings or hardware problems on the receiver as well as searching for an unavailable satellite will affect reception.
- Energy supply: An interrupted power supply, e.g. due to an empty on-board battery or disconnected power source, can cause reception problems.
- Environmental and external factors: Visibility obstructions caused by trees, buildings or bad weather are common causes of reception interference.
- Software and data: Out-of-date software and transponder data can result in the system not finding the satellite.
Solution approaches
- Check cable connections: Check all plug connections and reconnect if necessary, mainly on the receiver, which is easily accessible, and on the TV.
- Check the alignment of the antenna: In order to enjoy an interference-free TV signal, your aerial must guarantee a clear view to the south, as the TV satellites for Europe are all located above the equator. Obstacles such as trees, buildings or other objects can interfere with or completely prevent reception. Depending on your location in Europe, the optimum inclination of the antenna is usually between 25 and 40 degrees. Even the smallest deviations can result in no signal being received.
- Check satellite settings in the receiver menu: Select the correct satellite, compare with app or list if necessary.
- Update software: Update control unit or receiver to new transponder data (depending on manufacturer via USB or menu).
- ensure power supply: Check whether the system is receiving power by checking whether the LED on the receiver is lamping or whether the receiver menu is displayed on the TV. You can also check whether the 12 V have sufficient voltage via your control panel at the input, if possible.
What do the manufacturers say?
- Ten Haaft (Oyster, Cytrac): Reception problems are often caused by incorrect transponder data, software errors or visual obstructions. Correct alignment of the antenna and up-to-date software are crucial. The software update is carried out via USB or RS-232 and requires the exact selection of the appropriate version. The process is technically somewhat more demanding and should be carried out carefully.
- Teleco: A clear view of the satellite and the correct satellite selection are essential for interference-free reception. If problems occur, we recommend a reset via the control panel. The software can be updated particularly easily via an app for Bluetooth-enabled control units. This makes the process very user-friendly.
- Kathrein: Faulty cable connections, an outdated software version or a defective LNB can impair reception. Aftersales Service should be contacted if you are unsure. Software updates are usually carried out via USB stick or, for certain models, directly via satellite. The documentation is available, but requires some technical understanding.
- Megasat: Reception problems are often caused by faulty cabling or outdated software. Regular inspection of the components is recommended. The software can be easily updated via USB stick. The necessary files and instructions are easily accessible and easy to understand in the support area.
When is professional help necessary?
If no signal is received despite all measures, there may be a hardware defect or a complex software problem. In this case, you should contact a Bürstner partner or the manufacturer's support team.
💡 Our tip
Regular checks of the satellite antenna before every journey help to recognise and avoid problems at an early stage.
This website uses automatic translations. Please excuse any errors. In case of doubt, the original German version applies.