One of the most significant advantages of the Spectrum cloud DVR is recording videos to watch later.
The feature allows you to rewind and fast-forward live TV, pause a television show, delete and manage recordings, and create instant replays.
But while these features work well on your DVR, they can stop working anytime, forcing you to find a quick solution. For example, you may encounter a playback issue, or the device may fail to record.
Although Spectrum cloud DVRs come in different models, the issues experienced by users are almost the same. Therefore, the steps for solving problems when your Spectrum DVR is not working are similar.
For example, if you cannot save recordings, the quickest fix would be to delete some files. On the other hand, if the DVR cannot connect to the internet, check your networking equipment to determine if you have a stable connection.
Other things that can stop your Spectrum DVR from working include:
- The storage is full.
- Loose cables.
- Internal errors with the Spectrum DVR.
When you identify what is causing your Spectrum DVR to stop working, it becomes easier for you to troubleshoot the issue.
Solutions to common problems with the Spectrum DVR
Here are some issues you may encounter with your Spectrum DVR and how to fix them.
1. Why Spectrum DVR is not showing recorded shows
When you have recorded a video on your Spectrum DVR, you should see the recordings displayed with the most recent on the left.
If you want to see all of your recordings, press the DVR button on your remote. But if the DVR is not showing recorded shows, it could mean the device has deleted them automatically.
The issue happens because the DVR disk space is full. Therefore, the device will delete any saved program you have not marked as Until I Delete. Here is what you can do:
- Save recordings in SD instead of HD to save space.
- Ensure your storage space is not below 5%.
- Delete unwanted programs regularly.
- Consider recording new episodes only.
Another option is to increase storage space by adding an external hard drive.
Alternatively, when creating your recordings, choose the I Delete option on the Set Series Recording screen to save them until you delete them manually.
If you have a problem accessing the shows, we’ve created a full guide to take you through the process.
2. Why Spectrum DVR fast forward is not working
Generally, the Spectrum DVR fast-forward feature can stop working because of an issue with the original broadcast.
To know if the feature is working, you should be able to see the colour inside the Information bar or Time bar. If there is no information, no content is being buffered, meaning fast forward cannot work.
You can try the following DVR troubleshooting options to find a solution:
- Refresh your receiver and try again. Unplug the receiver for one minute, and then plug it back in.
- Tune to a live show for 15 minutes before pausing the event and allow the buffer to fill up with content without changing channels. Once done, try using the fast-forward again.
- Check the batteries in your remote and determine whether the buttons are responsive.
You can also turn off the DVR, reboot it, or change channels to clear the memory buffer. Then, use fast-forward and see whether it works.
3. How to fix Spectrum DVR recording problems
When your Spectrum DVR has recording problems, the most common culprit is storage space. Don’t forget to select your active DVR when recording.
Here are some ways of fixing this issue:
- Sign in to your Spectrum account and ensure you are recording on your active DVR.
- Verify that the DVR memory is not full.
- Delete recorded programs that are eating up more space.
- Verify your Series Priority settings. Ensure there is no recording conflict.
Understand that you will have an issue with recordings if you record an on-demand program or digital music channel. Here’s a complete Spectrum on-demand troubleshooting guide.
4. Why Spectrum DVR cuts off the end of a show
The problem of Spectrum DVR cutting off prematurely when recording a video happens with live events.
You have to set the START time and STOP time when recording a video. The start time can be up to five minutes early, and the end time can be two hours late.
However, if the event you are currently recording goes past the time you have set, the DVR will cut it off prematurely. But that also happens with other programs apart from the live events.
So while there is no workaround on this, set the stop time a few minutes later.
Keep in mind that when recording shows, there may be a delay in episodes that follow a live event. Therefore, you have to extend the STOP time to record the whole episode.
Secondly, you may experience a problem when recording back-to-back shows on the same channel. In this instance, the DVR will stop recording the first show before the second one.
A solution would be to record one show at a time. Also, if your DVR is full or the memory is less than 5%, it may stop recording shows in full.
To view your available storage space:
- Press the DVR button on your remote.
- Go to DVR Settings.
- Press OK.
- Press the right arrow button to highlight Available Storage
You can now press OK to view the available space.
5. Why Spectrum DVR doesn’t work on Apple TV
When a Spectrum DVR does not work on Apple TV, the problem could be your HDMI. Spectrum has a high-speed HDMI cable that supports up to 4K quality that most Apple TVs provide.
The best way of troubleshooting this problem is to ensure you have a compatible HDMI cable. Also, check your HDMI input.
In other words, if the input in the DVR is HDMI1, the input on your Apple TV should also be HDMI1. If it is HDMI2, then put HDMI2.
Other solutions you can try include:
- Resetting the receiver.
- Ensure to set your Apple TV or additional equipment to the same channel.
It is also helpful to check that you have connected the coax cable to the outlet.
If your HDMI is not working, consider replacing it with a high-quality cable. We recommend the iVanky 4K HDMI cable.
6. Why Spectrum DVR doesn’t work on Samsung TV
As discussed above in the issue with the Apple TV, the problem with Samsung TV and Spectrum DVR is the HDMI cable. Consider the following steps to find a solution:
- Ensure you have properly connected and powered on your Samsung TV and cable.
- Ensure you have connected the coax cable to the outlet.
- Refresh the receiver and try again.
- Unplug the receiver for one minute, then plug it back in.
- Check that your Samsung TV is on the correct input. It should be HDMI1 on both ends.
You can also set your Samsung TV and other equipment to the same channel.
Whenever you encounter an issue with your Spectrum DVR, the first thing to do is identify what is causing it and follow the correct troubleshooting steps as shown above.
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