Well, you shouldn’t worry about it exploding… although it does make for a catchy picture (courtesy of Wikimedia.) Both DISH and DIRECTV receivers and DVRs have heat sensors that will shut them down long before they explode. There’s very little danger of damage to the equipment and even less danger of damage or fire. (Remember, though, the chance is never “zero.” There’s always a chance something weird will happen.) It’s something that you shouldn’t have to worry about in most cases.
There’s still something to know
However, as with any other piece of computer equipment, heat is always a concern and here’s what you can do about it:
- Never block the ventilation holes on the sides, back or top of the receiver.
- When possible keep the receiver out in the open, rather than operating it in a closed cabinet. If it must be in a closed cabinet, make sure there is plenty of ventilation.
- If you’re concerned about lowering the temperature of the receiver, raise it up an inch or so. Rubber chair cups work very well for this purpose.
- Remember, satellite receivers, clients, and DVRs are leased, so opening up the box to help it dissipate heat is off the table.
What to do if your satellite equipment is warm to the touch
Generally, consumer electronics run hot. You just don’t tend to notice. A typical laptop computer will run at 150-180 degrees inside, but it has fans to help that heat dissipate. With phones and tablets, there aren’t any fans, so they’re designed to tolerate more heat. Still, I’m sure you can remember at least one time when your phone felt very, very warm in your pocket. Nothing happened then, and chances are nothing would happen if you felt that again.
Still, if you do find your equipment uncomfortably warm, and it worries you, unplug it. Give it half an hour to cool down. Then look at how you can give it more ventilation. Make sure nothing’s blocking the air flow. If it seems overly dusty, you can blow some canned air through the vent holes. This will help it manage its own temperature. And, as I said, putting something under it to increase airflow across the bottom will help over time.
Replacing a receiver
Generally, satellite TV equipment is very heat-tolerant. However, occasionally an old receiver will fail. That’s when the experts can help. You can shop at Solid Signal for another receiver if you’re comfortable replacing it yourself. Or, even better, call the experts! We are DIRECTV’s dealer of the year and a DISH Premier Retailer. We can help you with replacement equipment and even get someone out to do the install if needed. We have access to all the same computer systems as the manufacturers. We just don’t use overseas call centers. We have a team of experts in the Detroit area ready to answer all your questions. Call us at 888-233-7563 or, if it’s after hours, just fill out the form below. You’ll be glad you did.
