TIP: Set your satellite dish type for DIRECTV

If you’ve recently replaced your dish, you might need to check or change the satellite dish type. (Here’s a quick tutorial on how to check your satellite setup.)

These are the proper dish types for the different dishes used today.

Non-HD Dishes

01: Round (18″)



02: 3-LNB (18″x20″)

Slimline Dishes

If you are using a dish with built-in SWM technology you must choose the proper option from the menu. If you are converting to SWM technology, reboot the receiver and it should properly detect the SWM and set the switch type to “01:SWM.” If you are using an external SWM or do not know whether or not you have a built-in SWM, choose the option for without built-in SWM.


Without built-in SWM: 03:Slimline-3
With built-in SWM: 17: Slimline-3S (SWM)



Without built-in SWM: 04-Slimline-5
With built-in SWM: 18: Slimline-5S (SWM)

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.