Error Codes
Ever seen the code at the beginning of a message on your DSTV? Usually it’s E16-4 or an E107-4. How about the 8118 code on your decoder’s display panel? Well, that’s an error code.
To resolve this problem there are a number of options available. Firstly, read the rest of the message to see what it says. If it says that your account has been suspended, then your account is probably suspended. However, there are times when all you need is a reauthorisation. A reauthorisation is a clearance signal that can be performed either by a Multichoice agent through the call centre(011 289 2222) or your nearest agency. You can also use the online Self-Service.
Then there are error codes that appear on the decoder itself.
8118– If you’ve got an 1110 decoder I’m pretty sure that you’ve seen the error code 8118. This is an indication that the software on the decoder is corrupted. There are reasons for this, but the main problem is power supply. When electricity is abruptly switched off and back on, this causes a power surge. Power surges can occur when lightning strikes the house or when there is a unintended power failure. This can cause any electronic system that is not unplugged, to blow. The decoder’s power supply is internal, which basically means that it can cause damage to other hardware inside the machine. This slowly corrupts software and eventually it crashes. To avoid these power surges from damaging your equipment, always ensure that you have a surge protection plug installed. This will give protection to all your electrical appliances.
ddd– This is a common problem for people using decoder models 910; 933 and 990. It means your power supply has been damaged due to power surges. There’s nothing much you can do when this happens. Just ensure that it does not happen again by installing the correct protection!
0 on DualView- This is a software malfunction. We know that a faulty power supply does have an influence on the software, but it is important to note that Multichoice no longer updates the software for this model. This means essentially, that the decoder is just waiting to crash. Good luck!
Replacing the decoder can be done in various ways. If you have a valid DCC(Decoder Care Contract) then you should be able to swop the decoder for a refurbished one. If you don’t, get ready to pay R342.00(Standard decoder), R479.00(PVR), R399.00(DualView). This will only get you a refurbished decoder.
You’re probably thinking, “What is refurbished and why?”. Well how it works is, Multichoice agencies do not do repairs for customers. Instead you pay the repair charge of the decoder that you will recieve when you swop your own decoder.
Getting a brand new decoder will cost you. For a price list of decoders see my page on Pricing(coming soon). Keep in mind that prices may vary upon location.
The DSTV-Guy 
My decoder is showing channel 100 only and payed. I even called Dstv help line and still didn’t get any help…WHAT CAN I DO
Tx for the information , it helped a lot . But I have a problem , my pvr recorder doesn’t show the channel no infront and it always change itself to channel 100 when we are watching . Pls help .
I paid my dstv yesterday but it doesn’t what must I do
Hi we replaced our old decoder with a new decoder we dit call the call center to enter our new card number now we received an error code E30-4 what can we do to get it right ,the call center dit not fixed our problem
Can you please help me? I paid my account but still my decoder is still suspended and when i call multichoice they say that my id no is not corresponding with the one they have…#stressed
my extraview pvr is stuck on boot and displays the eroor 06f1 on the display …what can i do
I got a HD PVR 2 U I got it 4 3 years now nobody told us to take out ensurence te decoder reboot every time and a code 0692 apeers
My friend paid R345 for the decoder ser no:604501693,Model 33, SC 1017056999 but is showing this msg The smart card is not enable for this channel….. and E16-4 (Pliz help him accordingly)
I have a problem with my dstv some chennels they show as if its got a dvd scratches n when i try to call insurence they advise me to restart it by taking off the LNB cable but aftre sum time it start again
Hi Thabo,
The most likely reason may be your dish. You may need to get a technician to come and check if your dish is still in allignment.
I have extra view decoder which doesnt wanna come on it keeps on scanning and cutting all the time..im using a Dsd1131,the primary decoder is working fine.
Good Day
I have an explora on premium. I have recently moved from JHB to CPT and I got dstv tech to install it for me with a smart LNB. During the day all the channels are working but from 19:00 none of the HD channels are working. What could be the problem? This is very frustrating as I feel like downgrading because it’s pointless to pay R879 monthly but don’t enjoy DSTV.
Please ignore my concern.
Hi Nandi. If you haven’t managed yet, you will need to have the installer come out to your home and check your signal.
Hi my HD PVR decoder has started showing the error code 0bE2 and then rebooting suddenly once every hour or so. What should I do ?
your services r not helping at all,self service is worse n we dont hv airtime to b calling ur call cetre for such all matters!please do sumthng abt it,its annoying
Unfortunately you seem to have misread the information on my website. I am not DSTV. I am working independently and sharing information with DSTV subscribers. By the way, I do it for free on my own time. Yes that’s right, I don’t get paid for helping DSTV customers. I use my knowledge that I acquired from my few years that I used to work there. In future, you can simply request help from our website, in which case we will be happy to assist. Otherwise, buy lots and lots of airtime and try calling DSTV and see if they can help you. Other than that, before you say my services are not helping, read carefully and see that our services are there to assist, so make use of it, don’t criticise it.
My dstv is not connecting it says no signal for 3 days now , took decoder in to be checked out , they say its working fine, but still nothing.
And what is the error code that is displayed?
Hi.we’v bn having problems for the last few days!Some channels do show but others have an E38-32 and some has no signal.Pls help
Hi Joan. In that case, you most likely have a dish related problem. I would suggest you contact the nearest DSTV Installer and let them send a technician to your house to check your dish or your LNB on the dish.
Remember that all channels are broadcast from different frequencies and different sources. So if your dish or LNB is not 100% accurately lined up (which happens after a while- especially after wind or rain) then you will see some channels but not others.
Hope this helps!
My dstv hd 4u decoder just shows a solid red light. No picture on the TV. Please assist.
Hi I payed my DSTv this morning at spar,but it’s still showing E16-4, my smart card is 10311546708
Hi Thato,
Kindly click on this link and enter your information in order to fix the E16-4:
https://selfservice.dstv.com/MyDStv/FixErrors#/decoders/clearerrorcode
hello on tuesday evening I switched off my dstv and went to sleep on Wednesday when I came back from work I tried tp switch it on ,only a steady orange light is on no pictures no audio,I have a tv link to my bedroom also
plz help I cant miss champion’s league final on sunday
Hi Mpho,
If there is only a steady orange light and no visuals or audio, then you possibly have an issue with the decoder’s power supply. If your decoder uses am external power supply you could probably just replace it. If the power supply is internal, then you may have to replace the decoder. Either way, get to a Multichoice agency as soon as you can- take your decoder and power cable with you.
You may get to watch Champions League afterall.
i have a e16 error message on the secondary decoder (extra view) signal quality etc is fine, ive changed the secondary decoder to a new one and still get the same error despite dstv telling me the signal is sent, what could be the problem
Hi Alex,
Try a hard reboot by removing the card and unplugging the decoder; then turn it on and only when you see the message asking for your smartcard, insert it.
Sometimes it takes a while for signals to be recieved. So of you see the E16-4 try sending the signal again , but instead of calling, go to: https://selfservice.dstv.com/MyDStv/FixErrors?utm_expid=53607468-0.nyyVNRbETtmVpKmGM2Jpbg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.za%2F#/decoders
If the problem still persists you may have to take the decoder to a Multichoice agency for testing (don’t forget to take the primary decoder along).
Hope this helps.
No change, I don’t see how it can be a decoder problem as changed decoders and still have the same issues, I’ve done factory reset on both and updated the software, could it be a problem with the lnb?
I’m able to access all my recordings on the secondary decoder, so it’s definitely active with dstv, still none of channels work though
How old is your smartcard?
The explora is new, less than a year, HD pvr a few years old
Check the signal status on all the decoder’s ports. What is the signal strength and quality reading?
If you are getting proper signal on one TV but not the other, your LNB is fine. Getting a technician to come and test your installation is going to cost you a call out fee, whereas taking the decoders to a multichoice agency may help you find the solution even faster and you avoid a call out.
Signal quality and strength on HD pvr on line one and two is in the 90s on explora which is main decoder line one in the 80s line 2 zero line 3 in the 80s
I’m guessing the problem is the zero on tuner 2 on explora, what would suddenly cause that? Is it the lnb? , the cable? Or the decoder itself?
So in this case it can be one of the following:
• An issue with your cable or possibly (check the F-connector on the cable running onto the tuner that is on zero).
• Decoder’s tuner is dead.
• The multiswitch (not likely).
The reason why I don’t think it’s the LNB is because you say the other decoder is receiving proper signal.
You are welcome to call me on 0620468532.
my decoder shows the green and red lights going on and off constantly
Hi NP,
That is probably a power supply issue. You should take the decoder and power supply cable to the nearest agency for testing.
I have dstv problem I paid yesterday the 16th of November but there is no reconnection please help
My decorder is showing channel 100 only but I paiyed please help
Hi Moeng,
You should go to this link and enter your information. Select the error code which you see on your screen (it’s probably an E16-4).
https://selfservice.dstv.com/MyDStv/FixErrors?utm_expid=53607468-0.nyyVNRbETtmVpKmGM2Jpbg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.za%2F#/decoders
I hope this helps.
Hi i also have a problem with my decoder all i can view its the 100 channel only all my channels are disappear n when i open them its shows E16-4
Hi Mamsy, please press the TV button on your remote andnensure that you are on the correct bouquet of channels. From the list that appears you should select the one that says DSTV.
If your decoder has been disconnected due to a late payment, then after paying you should contact DSTV for a reconnection. (Always make sure thr decoder is plugged in)
If none of the above applies, please respond or call me on 0620468532.
Happy to help.
How to fix error E50 without the remote?
When i turn my dstv on,it shows and after booting its shows nothing when i click a channel…even free channel doesnt show
Does your decoder scan for channels?
Do you see any error messages on the screen like E16-4 or E30?
Our account has been paid about 2 weeks ago and just a few hours ago,it now shows only channel 100..do we have to pay now although we only watched 2 weeks
My dstv says e19_4 channel is blocked because your decoder has been inactive or your service May have been suspended …. I left my decoder unplugged for three weeks when I switched on it plays channel 100 only
Hi Kadish, leaving your machine off for so long means your machine misses the software updates. You can try a forced upgrade. What is your decoder model?
What a lot of half truths are in this article is staggering. As an electronics technician, that repairs decoders I can tell you 8118 errors and ddd errors are definitely repairable and have NOTHING to do with software or Power surges what so ever.
Hi Kenobie. Thank you for your contribution. Some information on this site is definitely dated (it was written many years ago).
Would you mind sharing with us the best way possible to fix this problem?