HELP! My tivo doesn't change channels to record

[Scootchula]

I can't possibly be the only one who has this problem but, quite frequently, my tivo doesn't change channels to start a scheduled recording. It stays on the same channel and records (it appears to think it's recording the correct program). I apologize if this has been addressed before but I can't find the answer anywhere. Can anyone help? What information would you need? I am pretty lame when it comes to this stuff. Thanks.

[Malcontent]

I can't possibly be the only one who has this problem but, quite frequently, my tivo doesn't change channels to start a scheduled recording. It stays on the same channel and records (it appears to think it's recording the correct program). I apologize if this has been addressed before but I can't find the answer anywhere. Can anyone help? What information would you need? I am pretty lame when it comes to this stuff. Thanks.

Is a cable box connected to this Tivo? Are you saying that the cable box doesn't switch channels?

[pdhenry]

There are tweaks in the setup menus that help improve the reliability of cable box channel changing. The placement of the emittters on the cable box is also important. I use both emitters about 4 inches apart centered on the time display (Scientific America cable box) and don't have any problem with channel changing.

[dylanemcgregor]

What information would you need?

It would be best to know:

1) What type of TiVo is is (Series 1, 2, 3 or HD)
2) What your television source is (cable, satellite, OTA)
3) How you have your TiVo hooked up to change channels on a cable or satellite box if that is what you have (IR cables are what most people use, they go from the TiVo to a little plastic piece that sits in front of the cable box and sends an infrared signal to the cable box at the right time to change channels, the other option is a serial cable, which would plug directly into the back of the cable box)

Most people who have problems with channel changing are using IR blasters with a cable (or satellite) box. So we will assume this is your setup unless you tell us differently.

Problems with IR blasters usually stem from the blaster either not being setup properly directly in front of the IR receiver on the cable box, or there being other sources of IR in the room that are interfering (those could be other remotes, overhead lights, sunlight, etc...)

A couple of things you can do
1) Make sure the IR blasters are properly positioned in front of the cable box and haven't been knocked out of place.
2) See what the make of your cable box is, depending on your cable box and cable compay, you might have an enabled serial port on the back of your cable box, using this instead of IR blasters should be more accurate (note that a number of cable companies disable this port by default, so even if you have it on the back of the box, it doesn't necessarily mean you can use it. If you come back here with the type of cable box and your cable company there should be more information available.
3)You can build an IR Fort: you can search the FAQ forum for more information, but basically you build a little fort around the IR blasters and the cable box so no outside IR signal could get in.