This programme is no longer available

[btrftg]

Definitely a software glitch since V330. - V350.

After a week of finding an unresponsive Q box each morning, or audio output but no visual signal stuck on whatever channel was being watched when previously turned off, or visual output to home screen but with in screen preview blank and programme guide stating all programmes and recordings were 'no longer available' (they were via Sky Go so box was functioning other than output settings,) plus mini boxes had to be reactivated, I called Sky who to be fair said they never heard of this issue but immediately sent out an engineer. He thoroughly checked everything, was happy all connections/settings/software were correct but replaced the box to be sure. I suggested this may be a power setting issue triggered by Sky's own overnight intervention given when either box or TV was turned off during the day this problem didn't arise. He set box to Active (it had been Eco.) New box functioned without issue for 5 days but this morning was unresponsive, requiring a manual power recycle (now working as it should.)

Cheaper for Sky to focus on fixing the software than expensive engineer visits and hardware replacement.

[High+Chaparral]

Two more mornings of unresponsive box, reboot, rinse, repeat.

Maybe I should put it on one of those timer plugs so it power cycles automatically before I get up. 🙄

[Plapps]

I am getting exactly the same thing, did you manage to get an answer for this?

[Daniel0210]

@Nick19051 

I have moved your post to a more recent thread on this subject. 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, getting same issue here also, contact technical support got a new Sky Q box and a new viewing card, was okay for the first 3 days and now doing the same thing as the previous box did, pay enough money per month for a service that is just... unacceptable!

Current Software version: Q350.000.12.00L (679jvlc)

[Andy_S1]

I've been in dialogue with the support team and at this point in time there is not a solution for this. The support guys may provide you with instructions on how to perform a reset but though this works initially, the problem returns after a few hours. As it is more of a faff than turn the power to the box on and off, I'll be sticking with that remedy.

Can I check that everyone's experience of this issue is similar to mine?

I find the issue only occurs if I leave the Sky Q box on for a number of hours while not watching it. If I put the box into standby and leave overnight or while I'm at work, it's fine when I switch it back on. Anybody lost the picture while actually watching content from the box?

[Hel74]

Hi Andy, I mostly agree but I tried to be religious about it and put the box on standby every night, first couple of nights it was fine in the morning but now I get the error when I turn it on too. I can get the home page up and the TV guide but the moment I try to change channel it all goes horribly wrong and I'm left with no option but to unplug and restart the box

[LooneyLefty]

Hi all

So, my experience is as follows... months ago, (before  the programme not available error) our box would disconnect from our router every couple days. This tended to happen when waking from sleep/stand by, so we changed the settings to stop the box entering any type of eco mode. This rectified that problem. Just shy of a month ago we started getting the programme not available error. It started off infrequently and now it's happening so often it's making our box not fit for purpose (already started using the native apps in our Samsung for all streaming services). Not been offered anything other than pleasantries over the chat and at this point thinking of cancelling due to Sky not upholding the contract I entered into. The only reason we've not done that already is that I have recordings of friends and family on the Q box. 

[TimmyBGood]

---

@LooneyLefty wrote:

The only reason we've not done that already is that I have recordings of friends and family on the Q box. 

---

Perhaps be aware that Q has around four years of remaining life as a platform (at most) and all hard drive access will cease when it's discontinued.

[LooneyLefty]

You're right. I'll tell them to sack it off tomorrow. 

[High+Chaparral]

I have Eco mode and smart standby turned off.

If I leave it on overnight (with the TV & soundbar off) by the morning it has crashed and needs a power cycle.

If I leave it on standby, it comes back on in the morning but I get the "This programme is no longer available" and can't change channel. A reboot is required to fix it.

Seems to me this is a software issue introduced in the last update, and they should put us back on the last known good version.

[Fadinglight]

I have the exact same issue. Started suddenly, says 'programme no longer available' when trying to select any channel from the guide. 

Alternatively at the same time as that's happened I've also come across just a blank screen where the box appears on (green light) but there's no picture or sound and pressing the sky button on the remote has no effect.

Full power off and reboot solves the issue until such time as I step away from the box and then seemingly whenever I come back it has done the same thing! 

[chipper58]

I was watching a programme on Sky and switched to watch a program on Amazon. When I returned to sky the TV had a blank screen. I could hear the program but the Q box was unresponsive. 

[LooneyLefty]

Before I ring and cancel my Sky services, has anyone had any joy over the chat? I haven't had a response in 48 hours and have been disconnected. All in all, a really shoddy and unsatisfactory experience. 

[Tbd32]

Hi there, I'm really sorry for how frustrating this has been, especially having to power off your box just to watch something. That’s not the experience we want for you at all, and we completely understand why you’d be upset.

Please be assured our teams are aware of the issue and are actively investigating it as a priority. While we don’t have a specific timeframe to share right now, we’re doing everything we can to get this resolved as quickly as possible.

We really appreciate your patience and understanding while this is being worked on.

I got this last night. I have to keep logging in or it looks like the chat ends. I nag them every day. Not good is it.