If you plan to make sustainable use of your Dish Network receiver, then it is important to always update the software installed in it. Dish receivers have the capability of downloading most software updates in the background with no intervention on your part; however, there could be certain situations when you have to update the receiver yourself. The following is a detailed procedure to update the Dish Network receiver software manually.
Prerequisites
Before updating your Dish receiver software, make sure that:
- Your receiver is connected to your Dish antenna and is capable of pulling in a good quality satellite signal. Software downloads need a strong satellite connection.
- I confirm that your broadband internet connection is working properly. Certain updates may employ the use of broadband in downloading part or the entire update files.
- The receiver is plugged into an electrical outlet. It is also important to note that when performing the software update on the receiver, do not power off the receiver. An interrupted update leads to a couple of issues.
- You have your Dish Network account information readily available. These include your receiver ID/CA ID, smart card ID, and receiver PIN code. It may be required to submit this information during or after the update process.
Ensure Your Present Receiver Software Version
The first thing that needs to be done is to determine the software version that is currently installed in the receiver. Here's how:
- Switch on your Dish Network receiver and television.
- On your Dish remote, first, press the Menu button.
- Type in Settings, Diagnostics, or System Info. This leads you to the informational menus.
- Find where the Software Version entry is made. Write down the full string of the number/letters/words displayed, for instance, L7. 11.
This is your receiver’s current software defining it as the program that runs on your device for it to perform its operations. It is worthwhile to take note of it so that you can make a comparison later on after having made some modifications.
Start a Manual Software Update Check
With the current version identified, now run a manual check to see if any new updates are available:
- This can be accomplished by going to the Dish receiver main menu.
- Click on the option that will allow checking for software updates. This is often in Settings or Diagnostics.
- Follow the on-screen prompts. Your receiver will look for the software update if there is any available for download and installation.
- If an update is found, then the instructions will appear, and you need to download and install it. Do not worry, the recordings and settings that you made before the update will not be affected
In case there is no new update available, then your receiver software is updated.
Alternative Update Methods
If the built-in update check does not find new software, try these alternate manual update methods:
- Call Dish: Dial the DISH phone number which is 1-877-471-DISH (4808) and ask for the customer service department. They can also check and push receiver software updates if available for your device online if necessary. This only works if the receiver is connected properly.
- Flash Drive Update: Some Dish receivers allow for the installation of software update files through a USB flash drive. Copy files from Dish’s support website to a USB stick plug that USB stick into an on-receiver then update. Refer to the receiver manual.
- Recover Lost Functionality: In case your receiver appears unresponsive or has problems after an update, resets can restore full functionality without the loss of recordings or settings. A front panel power reset is the first thing to do by pressing the power button for 10 seconds. If that does not help, reset from the menus, they suggest, although this impairment is also known to sometimes worsen over time.
Post-Update Checks
Once your Dish Network receiver software has been updated, confirm everything is working properly:
- Make sure that the new software version is installed as mentioned in the update notes or the expected version.
- Check all satellite receivers, television inputs, and DVR recording settings.
- Scan for channels and check for the expected ones that should be available.
- Verify web-enabled applications and call-for-service operations.
If there are any problems, restart the receiver and then conduct the test once more. If issues are not resolved, then contact Dish support. Serious functionality issues may lead to rollback to the previous version of the software.
Keeping Your Receiver Up-to-Date
If applicable, set up the Dish receiver to automatically check for updates at regular intervals and perform the checks regularly. This makes it possible to set future updates to be installed on the computer automatically with no interaction when the initial setting process is over.
It may be useful to enable the auto-update options so that the new software releases can be installed at night. It is advisable to review the release notes first to minimize the effect of the changes.
It is crucial to constantly update Dish Network receiver software for the best possible experience in watching programs. According to this guide, updating your device is quite simple even if it involves the use of the manual check and install processes.
Ready to upgrade your TV experience? Call us now at (877) 471-4808 to find the perfect Dish Network plan for you! Don’t miss out on great entertainment—our team is here to help you choose the best package and get you started today.
