Though it's not always the case, flashing lights can be a sign of serious problems with your DirecTV receiver. A number of different issues -- ranging from disconnected power to a bad hard drive -- can cause the blue power light to flash. Troubleshooting may help to diagnose simple causes. If these don't remedy the problem, run a system test on the device or call DirecTV's technical support line.
Initial Troubleshooting
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Step 1
Press the "Reset" button to reboot the receiver. The Reset button is the red button located inside of the the receiver's access card door on the front panel.
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Step 2
Unplug the receiver, wait five minutes and plug it back in again. Press the "Power" button and wait for the device to reboot. This step is only necessary if your receiver does not have a dedicated Reset button.
Step 3
Check that your cables and access card are firmly connected. Loose connections can cause the receiver to experience intermittent or interrupted service.
Step 4
Listen to the device for a clicking sound. One of the most common causes of the the flashing blue power light is a problem with the hard drive. If you hear a clicking sound, the hard drive on the device may need to be replaced.
Step 5
Contact DirecTV's customer support line at 1-800-DIRECTV to speak to a technical support representative. In addition to a failed hard drive, other causes of the flashing blue light include broken caps and damaged circuit boards, all of which must be repaired by a certified DirecTV repair person or you will void your warranty.
Run System Test
Step 1
Slide the "Mode" switch on the DirecTV remote to the "DIRECTV" position.
Step 2
Press "Menu" to load the Quick Menu.
Step 3
Select "Settings | Setup | Info & Test | System Test | Run Test."
Step 4
Wait for the receiver to run its self-diagnostic test. If it does not pass the test, run the test two more times to guard against false readings based on fluctuations in the satellite signal or phone line. If the receiver continues to fail the test, call DirecTV to speak to one of the company's customer support representatives.