topic Pixelation on a handful of channels in Sky Q

Pixelation on a handful of channels

SekeML — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:35:05 GMT

This is probably not a new one, but I'm getting pixelation on just a small handful of channels, which affects live viewing and recording of these channels. I've restarted the box and checked the connections a number of times. I live in a flat and we have a communal dish. I have a strong suspicion that its the communal dish, but I'd like some kind of informed opinion that this might be the issue before I go down the long process of getting someone to come out and fix it. I've noticed it affecting maybe 4-5 channels, so I really dont think it can be the box or the connection picking and choosing this select few. Thanks in advance.

Re: Pixelation on a handful of channels

Daniel0210 — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:37:15 GMT

@SekeML

If you see a “no satellite signal” error message, check that the connections from the Sky dish going into the back of your Sky Q box are still finger tight. Otherwise it’s very likely either;
▫️a dish misalignment,
▫️a failing LNB (on the arm of the dish),
▫️water getting into the cabling,
▫️very heavy rain
so check the troubleshooting on this link
https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-tv-no-satellite-signal-sky-q

As you are connected to a communal dish you need to liaise directly with your building management company or landlord who will have their approved engineers to contact direct.

It’s worth mentioning that:

🔹 a misalignment is not necessarily something that will be visible to the naked eye and could only affect one or two channels (amongst the first to be affected may be TNT or GB News),

🔹 adverse weather can affect the satellite signal and following such events wait times for an engineer will probably be significantly longer.

🔹a Sky Q box requires a periodic 'Keep alive' signal that is delivered via the satellite so if that isn’t received the box will close down until the satellite signal is restored.

Re: Pixelation on a handful of channels

SekeML — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:54:11 GMT

Thank you so much! Ive just checked GB News and TNT and they have no signal at all. Gold is pixelated, but is occassionally okay for a couple of mins, ITV is fine for about 2mins before pixelating and a few of the THATs channels around the 180 channels are pixelating. This just helps me go to the management/Landlord, with a bit more of an educated assessment of the problem. Again, thank you.

Re: Pixelation on a handful of channels

SekeML — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:56:21 GMT

Also its been like this for about a week and the sun is shining so I'm satisfied its not the current weather causing it.