Do you have issues with your DirecTV DVR attempting to schedule recordings on channels that you do not even get? It is one of the most frustrating things that a to-do list of your DVR is packed with numerous shows that you thought were going to take place but never did. However, there is an easy way to prevent your DVR from using up scheduling space and instead allocate it for the channels you want it to.
Check Your DirecTV Subscription
Another aspect that you should consider before making changes to your DVR settings is to go through your subscribed DirecTV package and see what channels you have. You can log into your DirecTV account online or via the mobile app to view the channel package and see which channels you should and shouldn‘t be getting.
It is also important to make a note of the channels that one does not subscribe to and therefore has no permission to access. These are the channels that your DVR should stay away from.
Alter Channel Priorities In Settings
Secondly, go to the DVR settings on your television. Locate the “Recordings” or “Scheduling” portion of the DVR’s “Settings” menu; the exact name of the menu may differ depending on the make and model of the device.
You should see an option to “Prioritize Channels” – click on it. Here, your DVR will display a list of all air DirecTV channels, including the ones to which you have no access by the order of their recording.
For any of the channels that you noted earlier as being unauthorized on your account, press the left arrow key on the remote and move them to the lowest level of priority. Upgrade the matter to the top instead of moving authorized channels.
Hide Unauthorized Channels
Some models of the DirecTV DVR also provide you with an option to block certain channels entirely. Similarly, in the settings of your DVR, look for the “Hide Channels” or “Channel Visibility” option (the names may vary here as well).
You should see another list of all DirecTV channels. Employ the menus to block any of the channels that you rarely watch and that your DVR wastes schedule space trying to record.
In this way, if you only make the channels you receive visible to the DVR, it will not attempt to download unavailable content anymore.
Adjust Default Recording Options
There could be another reason why your DVR records channels that you do not receive and it has to do with the default recording options.
Locate the default recording channel selection options in the DVR and delve into its recording settings. It is probably set to record from “All Channels” the moment you schedule something to record.
That selection should be changed to “My Channels” or “Subscribed Channels”. As a result from now on a new scheduled recording will only scan the channels that are available in your list of channels.
Know What You’ll Still See
Even after implementing the above changes, you might be able to view the listing and info of channels that you have not subscribed and such channels can show up on search results. This is normal.
Still, your DVR should not try to record the program from any unauthorized channels anymore. Just disregard the unavailable channels in the guide from now on – your to-do list and recorded programs list should only contain content from your subscribed channels going forward.
When In Doubt, Refresh Your Services
Last but not least, if you still find that your recordings are set at awkward times or you are not getting consistent access to the desired channels, reboot and service refresh it. Log on to your DirecTV account either via the website or the mobile application then power cycle your DVR and update your services.
After your system resets, log back into your DVR and ensure that your shows to record and visibility settings are as you had arranged them. It should update your DVR to work correctly and know what programming you are or are not able to watch or record channels from.
Summary
The way to cease undesirable recordings on unavailable channels is to pinpoint which channels are subscribed to and tweak the DirecTV DVR accordingly. Many of you watch your own selected programs at appropriate times and this is the best way to manage the channels, hide the unwanted ones, get default recording to include only the favorite channels, and update the service when necessary. If you follow these steps then your DVR should work as it should on the channels that you are paying for access to.
