If you contract with a cable TV service provider like Time Warner, part of the service agreement will almost always include a technical support department -- some of which are staffed 24 hours a day, though this depends on your provider -- that can help address and troubleshoot and technical problems you experience when using your cable service. It's wise, however, to learn some basic troubleshooting skills on your own, thus enabling you to address and possibly fix the problems you encounter without the need to spend any time waiting on the phone for a technical support rep. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Reset any digital cable equipment Time Warner installed in your home by unplugging its power cord for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If you use only a coaxial cable connected directly to the TV without any digital cable converter boxes, simply unplug the TV's power cord. Plug all power cords back in and allow all equipment to reboot, after which you can check your Time Warner cable service again to see if the reset resolved the issues for you.
2. Unscrew the coaxial cable that connects your Time Warner-installed cable outlet to the coaxial input on either the TV or digital cable box you use. Remove the cable completely and inspect the copper needle running through the middle of the cable; it must be straight, sharp on the end, and sticking out past the end of the coaxial connector by about 1/8 inch. The tip of the needle should also be clean without any dust, dirt, or moisture buildup. Badly damaged cables will need to be replaced altogether but assuming your cable looks OK, reattach it to the TV or converter box and check the cable service again for any improvement.
3. Watch programs on the other TVs in your home that are connected to Time Warner cable service. It's possible that the problems you are witnessing are part of a service outage rather than any problem specific to your home service. See if similar problems show up on the same channels. If so, this is likely an indication of a service outage and you need to report the issue to Time Warner.
Tags: Time Warner, cable service, digital cable, your home, cable service again, coaxial cable
