The DIRECTV Genie is a new generation High Definition Digital Video Recording Receiver that is being promoted by DIRECTV as part of their satellite television service. This device is loaded with a variety of useful functions and all of them are available for use in one friendly tool. However, with any technology, there may be instances where something behaves unexpectedly. Whenever problems arise, the first solution usually applied by many is to either restart or reset the device. Now, if there is one thing that people find annoying when using the DIRECTV Genie, it is the lack of a reset button.
Understanding the DIRECTV Genie System
It is also useful to explain what the Genie is before looking at how to reset it since it is a term that is used frequently. The DIRECTV Genie HR44 model is the primary whole-home DVR system that is housed in your living room and connects to your television set. It has multiple tuners and this means that you can record various shows at the same time.
The Genie can connect using a wireless connection to clients or mini boxes in other rooms. The client boxes of these options let you access the recordings and On Demand feature of your Genie DVR. Therefore when you are planning to reset the system then there is a need to consider both the main Genie DVR together with the client boxes.
The Reset Button on the DIRECTV Genie
DIRECTV Genie also has a reset button near the access card door on the side. It is located at the right-hand corner of the genie in case you are standing in front of the receiver. This is a very small and thin button that is located in a small depression so to activate the button one would need to use a paperclip or the finer part of a pencil.
If you press this reset button, your Genie receiver will shut down and turn back on as soon as you release it. It works almost like turning off the power cord and then turning it on again, though it is not the same. You can also expect that when the system reboots, perhaps because you entered an incorrect password, and you regain control, the satellite signal will be lost for a brief period as the dish resynchronizes. It will also affect any recordings or shows being watched at the moment. So use this reset only when there is a problem to resolve as it will invalidate your cookie preferences.
Resetting the Whole System
So, when you press the reset button on the Genie DVR it will reboot only that specific receiver and not your entire DIRECTV network. If you are struggling with issues with the connectivity of the Genie to the client boxes, then you might have to reset the whole home.
To do this, navigate with the help of the directional buttons to the ‘Menu’ button, then select ‘Settings’ and then ‘Reset’. This will prompt a restart which will include the Genie DVR as well as all other clients connected to it. When you reconnect each appliance to the box and reboot it, you are allowed to resync all the communication between the boxes that are normally capable of solving issues.
When to Use the Reset Button
Reloading your DIRECTV Genie hardware should not be your initial course of action when confronted with issues. As a first approach, you should attempt basic troubleshooting methods such as checking connections or turning off and on individual client devices. As a last resort, refresh components if the problem continues.
Some examples of when resetting can help include:
- Internet connection problems
- Sometimes they cannot easily access the On Demand options.
- Missing recordings
- Stating that the problem is in the car’s remote control, not working.
- Stiff menus or other parts of the interfaces
- Various error messages
Resetting is simple with the hope that all will return to normal and go back to working as it were, rather than having to call a technician. Just remember that it may take some 10-15 minutes for the entire system to regain operation and become stable.
Other Important DIRECTV Genie Tips
Along with knowing how to reset your Genie, there are some other useful Genie tips to keep in mind:
- To troubleshoot, you should try resetting your DVR at least once a month in case there are memory problems that are cached.
- If the Genie becomes unresponsive to the input, then you need to unplug the power cord and then plug it back in to reboot the device.
- Ventilate the room to avoid issues of overheating that are commonly associated with green walls.
- Add new patches or versions of the software when they are available
In summary, do not shy away from using the reset button especially when you experience hitches in your DIRECTV system. The only thing you should be mindful of is that you wait for a while when the program is recompiling. As has been indicated, resetting will most often do the trick and return your Genie to normal without issues.
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