Sky + HD box getting no satellite signal. Both boxes at the same time?

[Learningman]

Signal loss started during some rain on Friday last but currently clear skies and no obstruction to the dish. Can the signal be blocked by Sky in some way? When boxes are updated, it's done via WiFi, can this method disable boxes remotely? I have done the usual stuff like plugging out the mains and rebooting both boxes several times. For both boxes to go offline at the same time with the same issue which should automatically be resolved in good sunny conditions and are not?

[Daniel0210]

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@Learningman wrote:

For both boxes to go offline at the same time with the same issue which should automatically be resolved in good sunny conditions and are not?

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@Learningman 

Not necessarily. 

FYI Sky no longer support Sky+ and Sky+HD. You'll need to employ a local satellite engineer at your own expense to check/repair/replace the dish if it's a dish or LNB issue.

If you have Sky Protect insurance through Domestic and General Insurance you can call them but a recent post suggested they wouldn't send an engineer - but did offer the customer £65 towards arranging one themselves.

The alternative is contacting Sky to upgrade to Sky Q or change to Glass / Stream.

[Mark39]

Updates are carried out over the air, not via WiFi.

Given the circumstances it's possible that rainwater has got into the LNB or the cables. If so, the signal might return once your dish setup dries out.

Unfortunately Sky no longer provide engineer support for Sky+ equipment unless you have Sky Protect, so you'll need to contact a local satellite engineer to take a look if the problem doesn't resolve itself.

Alternatively now might be a good time to consider upgrading to Sky Q. Any dish or cabling issues will be addressed as part of the Sky Q installation at no additional cost to you.

[TimmyBGood]

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@Learningman wrote:

Can the signal be blocked by Sky in some way? When boxes are updated, it's done via WiFi, can this method disable boxes remotely? 

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Sky satellite boxes can receive an end-of-subscription signal over their satellite dish: this happens with migration from Sky+ to Sky Q (or Glass/Stream)

They also require periodic subscription confirmation through the dish, so cable disconnection cannot keep an out-of-subscription box working.

[oj01 · Accepted solution]

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@Learningman wrote:

Signal loss started during some rain on Friday last but currently clear skies and no obstruction to the dish. Can the signal be blocked by Sky in some way? When boxes are updated, it's done via WiFi, can this method disable boxes remotely? I have done the usual stuff like plugging out the mains and rebooting both boxes several times. For both boxes to go offline at the same time with the same issue which should automatically be resolved in good sunny conditions and are not?

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Even without a subscription the box would work for FTA channels, so, no, it's not been disabled by Sky. I agree with the suggestion that rain water has got into the LNB or cabling.