This is a common problem. If this is your first time installing a dish before, you should have a look at »/faq/8763 first.

If you are sure that it's not a position problem, there are a couple things you should check.

•The first is the cable. If the cable isn't RG-6, it might not work, even if it worked in the past. RG-59 cables get degraded and can eventually stop working. Check that the cable length isn't too long. It shouldn't be over 100 feet. Another very common, but overlooked problems is pressure or sharp bends in the cable. Too much pressure or a sharp bend in the cable can cut off the signal completely. You should run along the cable, from outside, into the house, checking to make sure there is no excess pressure on it.

•Secondly, you should check the LNBF. If it's a dual LNBF, switch the cable from one connection to the other. Sometimes, one works and the other doesn't. If you can get one connection working, but not the other, and you only have one receiver, you can still use it. If you notice a lot of corrosion around the connections on the LNBF, you might want to consider cleaning it. Also make sure the cable at the end isn't damaged.

•Thirdly if you have a multiswitch, you should disconnect it, and connect the LNBF directly into a receiver. If you can't get a signal, you can eliminate the multiswitch as the problem.

•If after this, you still can't get a signal, you should try replacing the LNBF. You can get them fairly cheap at local electronic stores. After a couple years, they can die off. Even brand new LNBFs can be faulty.