My sky says it’s initialising and has been for 48 hours- date day 01/01 and time 1.00 am - have foll

[Mutley07]

My sky box says it’s initialising and has done for last 48 hours- time say 1.00am Thursday 01/01 have followed all instructions but still won’t work 

[Annie+UK · Accepted solution]

Usually this is down to a loss of signal from the dish and needs someone out to check your set up

[Camie2022]

I had the exact same problem - no signal and date said thurs 01/01. Tried all the sky suggestions but after a good google search I found a suggestion on updating the software and it worked! All you need to do is keep the 'back up' button on thr top of your sky box pressed. Keep it pressed and at the same time unplug the sky plug. Keep the back up button pressed until you get a massive white text message on the tv screen saying 'updating software'. You can let the back up button go now. It'll update itself and after about 10 mins the sky box will start initialising itself and the issue shoukd be resolved! 

[Camie2022]

Sorry just to update my post - I made an error on how to update the software!

- unplug sky box. Leave for a minute. 
- hold down 'back up' button on top of the box and at the same time plug the sky plug back in!

- white screen will come up saying software update - let go of back up butto 

- wait 10 mins and the signal issue and the 01/01 date issue should be resolved. It was for me anyhow 

[Camie2022]

Thanks Annie but it wasn't a dish issue for me. Just a software update requirement... I think all the advice pointing towards the dish being the culprit isn't always correct 

[Taffy71]

I've tried the above and I'm still getting that my box is initialising 

[Mark39]

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@Taffy71 wrote:

I've tried the above and I'm still getting that my box is initialising 

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Is there any background to this? Has the box been switched off? Have you been seeing a 'no satellite signal' message?

[Taffy71]

Hi yes I've switched the box off at the mains I've done the software update and I'm still getting that's its initialising 

[Mark39]

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@Taffy71 wrote:

Hi yes I've switched the box off at the mains I've done the software update and I'm still getting that's its initialising 

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The usual cause is that no satellite signal is reaching the box, so check for  a possible problem with the dish cables. If all looks OK, your best option is,to call Sky to book an engineer

[..snotthelimit]

Would I still be able to book an engineer visit for a SKy+ HD box ? When trying the chatbot it said engineers vists can't be booked for Sky+ boxes, only for Sky Q and Glass - is this actually true? 

[Mark39]

I'm afraid so. Sky no longer provide engineer support for Sky+ equipment. You would need either to engage a local satellite installer,  or consider,upgrading from Sky Q.

[Daniel0210]

@..snotthelimit 

If you already have Sky Protect cover through Domestic and General Insurance you can contact them direct for an engineer appointment but otherwise it's as @Mark39 has stated. 

[..snotthelimit]

Ok, so waited for some calmer weather and went up into the extension roof to check the lnb. I saw that cap on the horn had basically disintigrated over time leaving it exposed. This wouldn't have affected the signal suddenly I thought since it had been missing for some time by the looks of it. Furthermore I used a tissue to check if there was any water in there but all dry. Prodded my finger int there and felt something spongy. Used a small screwdriver to prize it out. It was only a piece of moss that had fallen off the main roof in the last heavy rain and lodged itself in there. Anyhow, one Pringles-lid-and-some-sealant-later service is resumed once again!