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Are you experiencing an error with your TV’s cable box? Do you see the screen showing that your Cable Box is on hold whenever you turn on the TV to watch your favorite programs? If yes, you are at the right place.
Facing problems with the cable box is common as multiple users keep reporting different issues with their cable box, including its freezing, inability to load programs, pausing the videos, and many more. Fortunately, it’s not hard to fix the problems you normally face with your cable box, and the cable box saying hold issue is no exception.
To fix the problem where your cable box says hold, you can restart your device, reboot the cable box, change the power source, unplug the charger and plug it in again, check the cable connection, or contact the official customer care if nothing else works.
We have put together a comprehensive guide for you enlisting some main reasons behind the cable box says hold issue. We will also provide you with some fixes you can try to get rid of this problem, along with answering some questions you might have regarding this.
Why Does the Cable Box Says Hold?
When it comes to troubleshooting problems like this one, where you have to look into the technicalities of a device to fix the issue you are facing, it’s crucial first to understand the problem and determine its causes. This way, you have a much higher chance of coming up with the right fixes.
That’s exactly what we are going to do here. We will first list some major causes leading to the issue where the cable box says hold. After a lot of research, here are some reasons behind the problem we figured out for you.
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Connection Problem
One of the primary reasons for you to see the cable box saying hold error is a loose connection. If the cable connecting the cable box to your TV isn’t connected properly or the connection is not firm enough, the cable box won’t be able to send the necessary signals to the TV.
This will eventually result in the TV channels not displaying on your television screen, and you might see your cable box saying hold.
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Faulty Wires
Not only is a loose cable connection responsible for disrupting the link between the cable box with the TV. If the wires you are using to make this connection are damaged or faulty, the signals won’t pass through the wire properly and can even stop on the way resulting in the cable box saying hold error.
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App Not Working
Another reason you see the hold screen before you is the incompatibility of the cable box with the app you are trying to use. If you have recently installed a streaming app on your television while trying to stream the shows you love on the TV, the hold error appears on the screen; the app might not be compatible with the cable box.
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Unstable Internet Connection
This is one of the most common causes of the cable box saying hold error. When your device’s internet connection is poor, it won’t be able to send the signals properly, and the channels cannot load. This consequently results in the cable box going on hold.
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No Service
Another thing that could lead to your cable box going on hold is the unavailability of the services. For instance, if you are using Spectrum cable box and there is a serious service outage, you will most likely experience many problems with your device, and the cable box says hold is one of them.
Fixing the Cable Box Says Hold Error
If you are wondering what to do when your cable box says hold, our 6 simple solutions will help you resolve this problem without much hassle.
Method #1: Rebooting the Cable Box
The first thing you can do to fix the cable box saying hold error is to reboot the cable box. Fortunately, many problems with the cable box can be fixed by simply rebooting the device. Here is how you can do this:
- Remove the cable box plug from the wall.
- Wait for around 60 seconds.
- Plug the wire back into the power socket on the wall.
- Press the power button on the cable box to turn it ON.
- Once the box is on, check for the issue.
Method #2: Disconnecting & Reconnecting HDMI Cable
For transmitting signals, the latest cable boxes and TVs use HDMI cables. Any problem in the HDMI connection could lead to several issues, and the cable box saying hold is one of them. To fix this issue, you first need to disconnect the HDMI cable and connect it again properly.
Here is how this can be done:
- Switch off both your TV and cable box.
- Remove all the cable connections with your TV and cable box.
- Stay put for around 2 minutes and start reconnecting the cables one by one.
- Switch on the TV and cable box to see if the issue is resolved.
Method #3: Switching To Another HDMI Port
Sometimes the HDMI cable connection isn’t the problem, but the port is damaged, preventing the cable from properly connecting the cable box and TV. In this case, switching the connection to a different HDMI port can do.
While choosing the next HDMI port, change the Input source and, if possible, connect another device to the port first to see if it’s working.
Method #4: Getting a New HDMI Cable
If reconnecting the HDMI cable and switching to a different port hasn’t fixed the problem, perhaps it’s a sign for you to get another HDMI cable. While getting a new cable, ensure to check it by connecting a DVD player or some other device to your TV.
Once you have changed the HDMI cable, connect one end to the cable box and insert the other into your TV’s HDMI port. Check the input source you have selected on your TV and see if the problem is fixed.
Here is a YouTube tutorial you can follow to see how to change the Input source on your Smart TV.
Method #5: Resetting the TV
Another fix you can try to get rid of the cable box saying hold error is to reset your TV. There are several methods you can use to reset your TV. Fortunately, this is one fix that can help eliminate many problems with your television and cable box.
Here are the 3 different methods you can use to reset your TV.
Unplugging Power Cable
For the first method to reset your TV, here is what you need to do:
- Switch off your TV and remove the plug from the power source.
- Wait for around 60 seconds.
- Connect the plug back into the wall outlet.
- Switch on your TV and check for the issue.
Using TV Menu
You can also reset your TV using the TV Menu with these steps:
- Turn on your TV and hit the “HOME” button on the Remote.
- Head to “Settings.”
- Choose the “About” option under the “Settings” section.
- Select “Restart” and wait till your device turns on after turning off once.
Using Remote Control
Here is how you can reset your TV via the Remote Control.
- Turn on your TV.
- Pointing the Remote towards the TV, hit and hold the “Power” button for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Your TV will turn off and restart automatically.
- Once your device turns on again, connect the cable box to it and check for the problem.
Method #6: Soft Resetting the Cable Box
Another thing you can try to resolve the cable box saying hold error is soft resetting your device. There are two methods you can use to soft Reset your cable box. For the first one, you have to use the web login portal, and the other one can reset your cable box via a mobile application.
Via the Web Login Portal
For soft resetting the cable box via the web login portal, here is what you need to do:
- Open the Chrome browser on your PC.
- Head to the Spectrum’s website.
- Log in to your Spectrum account using your username and password.
- Select the “Services” tab.
- Find and select the TV option.
- You will now be asked on the site if you are experiencing any issues.
- Select the “Experiencing Issues” option and click “Reset Equipment.”
Wait till your cable box is reset and check for the issue.
Via the Mobile Application
To soft reset your Spectrum cable box using the mobile application, you need to follow these steps.
- Download the Spectrum application on your mobile phone.
- Open the app and use your username and password to log in to your Spectrum account.
- Select the “Services” tab and choose the TV option.
- Tap “Experiencing Issues” and follow the on-screen instructions to reset the cable box.
Method #7: Factory Resetting the Cable Box
If soft resetting hasn’t fixed the issue for you, you can factory resort your cable box as it generally helps in getting rid of most of the cable box errors.
Here are the steps you need to follow to factory reset your cable box.
- Switch on both the TV and the cable box.
- Hit the “MENU” button on your Smart TV’s remote.
- Select “Settings.”
- Scroll down on the TV screen and choose the “Restore Defaults” option.
- Wait for the cable box to go through the restart process.
Once done, see if the problem is fixed.
Method #8: Contact Specturm’s Customer Support
If you have tried all the above-mentioned troubleshooting steps and nothing seems to work out for you, you are left with no option but to contact Spectrum’s Customer Support.
Being experienced in this field for multiple years, they can help you understand the root cause of the problem and can provide you with the possible solutions you can try. For a better experience, try telling them about all the troubleshooting steps and methods you have tried before contacting them.
FAQs
How To Reset a Cable Box?
You can follow these steps to reset your cable box (both spectrum and optimum):
- Unplug the power cable of your cable box from the power source.
- Wait for around 60 seconds.
- Connect the power cable back to the wall outlet.
- Press the “Power” button on your cable box to turn it on.
Does the Cable Box Come With a Reset Button?
Yes, most of the cable boxes in the market do have a reset button of their own. You can find the button on the front side of the cable box, and it will look like a small circular button with Reset written next to or below it.
In some cases, however, the reset button could be found on the back panel of the cable box adjacent to the power cards. But if you cannot find a Reset button on your cable box, your device will perhaps reset by pressing and holding the power button.
Why Is My Cable Box Not Getting Any Signal?
If the cables connecting the cable box to the power outlet and other devices are loose or damaged, your cable box won’t get a single signal. Disconnecting all the wires and connecting them again is something you can do to fix this issue.
Is It Fine To Leave the Cable Box On All the Time?
No, if you leave your cable box on all the time, it is very likely to suffer or damage as a result of a short circuit or power breakdown. Moreover, leaving it on all the time would simply mean a lot of energy loss. So, if you don’t want to do this, it’s better to turn off the cable box after every use.
Conclusion – What to Do When Your Cable Box Says Hold?
As evident from this guide, resolving the problem where your cable box says hold isn’t really a big deal. In this guide, we have tried to provide you with all the information you need to know regarding the cable box saying hold problem.
Hopefully, one of the fixes we have mentioned above will work for you, and you no longer have to stare at the blank screen of your TV while your cable box is on hold. Do let us know in the comments section about the fix that did the job for you. Happy Streaming!
