Sky boxes have come a long way over the last decade. From the older models which couldn’t even record, to the new models which have 2TB of storage space, there’s definitely a big improvement. Unfortunately, on the newer models of Sky box (both Sky+ and Sky Q), you can sometimes have the problem of your Sky box not recording.
This isn’t a particularly common problem with Sky boxes, but it still can occur. The good news is that in most cases, you can actually find a fix for this problem very easily, and you’ll be back to recording your favourite shows in no time. So, if your Sky box is not recording, here’s what you can do about it.
Sky Box Not Recording Properly
Now, if you’re having problems with your Sky box recording, then there are several different things that you can do to try and resolve the problem. Much of this advice will be applicable for all different Sky boxes, whilst some of it may only refer to a Sky Q box, or a Sky+ box.
You’ll want to try these in order to see if they work for you. They’re relatively straightforward to complete.
- Begin by simply rebooting your Sky box to see if this resolves the issue.
- Then, go ahead and perform a full reset on the top box. Make sure not to delete all of your saved recordings.
- You can also try a planner rebuild, which could have been causing the issue all along.
If you can’t record, then there’s a good chance that there’s a problem with your hard drive. Let’s begin with the most common way to fix a Sky box that isn’t recording properly.
Start with a reboot
No matter what the problem is with your television or the digital boxes you’re using with it, the most common solution to most of their problems can be by simply turning the box on and off again.
Essentially, when you’re using something like a Sky box, the software that you’re using can get muddled and confused – this is especially true if you have a lot of recordings saved to the drive of the box itself.
Simply turning the box off, then waiting a minute before you turn it back on can do the trick here. Basically, you’re giving the box a chance to start fresh again without the confusion. Then, run through the initial setup process like you would if you just got the box from fresh.
This is the first thing you should do if your Sky Q box is not working, and you can’t get it to record properly. The good thing is that it won’t delete all of the things that you’ve already recorded, too.
Go for a Full Reset (Sky Q)
If you have a newer Sky Q box, then you’ll want to reset the box itself. This is more than just turning the box off and on again, and should probably be the next step on your list of things that could resolve your recording problem.
You can do this quite easily through the settings of your box. Go into your Settings and press 0 0 1, and then Select. After you press Select, this will take you through a hard reset, which will help any problems that you’re currently having with your Sky box.
There are two different levels to choose from here. One of them won’t affect the recordings that you’ve already got on your hard drive, whilst the other will delete everything that you’ve recorded already.
So, make sure that you pick the first option out of the two. It should take a few minutes to complete, and then you can see if your box is working. This will work if you have one of the newer Sky boxes. Keep reading if you’re still using one of the older models.
Sky Planner Rebuild (Sky+)
If you happen to have an older Sky+ box, then you’ll want to look at doing a Sky planner rebuild. Essentially, this is a complete refresh of all of the channels in your Sky planner. It can be a really good way to fix any recording issues that you might have.
You can easily do this on both Sky+ and Sky+ HD boxes by using the Services function on your remote control. It can be worth trying if nothing else has worked to resolve your recording problem.
Sky Box – Troubleshooting Other Recording Problems
I’m having issues with Series Links recordings
One of the most common areas where people seem to have problems is with series links, and them not recording properly. If this is on channels like BBC One, then this could be down to an issue between the different regional options depending on where you are in the country. If this is the case, then you might need to record each show individually.
Other things that you’ll also want to do to make sure that this works as normal is to keep the software updated on your device. Your Sky box will also function best on Eco Mode too, so you should have this on as well. This way, your Sky box will get a break during the night time when you’re not watching TV.
My recordings have no volume
Sometimes, even if you have the sound up on your remote, you might not be able to hear the sound coming from your TV. Making sure the volume’s on is the first thing to do here.
The first thing to check if this is happening is to ensure that you’ve got the latest software downloaded to your device. Then, go in and check the Settings within your box itself – under your Audio Visual settings, you’ll want to ensure that this is on Normal.
I want to transfer my recordings (Sky+ to Sky Q)
One problem that you might have with your Sky box recordings is if you’re moving to using a newer Sky box from one of the older Sky+ boxes out there. This is pretty common, as Sky are pushing pretty heavily for people to make the switch, and you can’t even buy Sky+ anymore.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to take your older recordings over to the newer box. This is because they’re all saved to the older Sky+ format, and they can’t easily be transferred over, which is a bit frustrating.
So, if you are making the switch over, then unfortunately you’re going to lose any of the recordings on your older box. So, make sure you watch everything before to do!
Conclusion
All in all, as with all boxes you’re going to run into issues sometimes, and recording problems can definitely be some of the most frustrating ones to have to deal with. Finding an error message saying that your box can’r record can definitely be annoying.
Depending on whether you’re using a Sky Q box or an older model, the method that you use to fix the problem will vary. Though it does not matter which you’re using, there’s always going to be a fix to the problem, even if that means having to get a new Sky box sent out.
