CISCO Explorer 8642 HDC - Channels Stick, loose audio and video signal and requires a reboot

It can be many things. it can be an HDMI issue but I don't think it is since you get the temp off air some times.  So My guess is that you are getting random spikes of noise in the line. These noise spikes become stronger then the normal signal and causes the picture to freeze. When digital cable loses all signal when you are watching it, the last image the cable box could put together will be frozen on the screen.  This is supported by when you try to change the channel nothing happens. After you try to change the channel several times the temp off air message comes in because the cable box knows it should be giving you a picture but it cant pick one up. 

The guide is loaded into the most of the boxes ahead of time. You could disconnect the cable line completely and the guide info would still be there it would just not get updated any more, so it would run out of info after about a week or so.

Ok so onto the fixing it part.  Random noise can come from any where.  All you can do from the home is try to take note as to what is going on in your home when you lose signal.  Is it when you kids get home and start watching TV on the old TV in the back.  Is it while you are cooking dinner and using a lot of large appliances.  It it at the same time of day every time.  Does not have to be exact. But if it happens at 5:00 one day then 5:30 another that is close enough to possibly be a common cause.

If you find anything that is common each time it happens then you want to try and recreate the issue using what you think is causing it.  Problem is this could be a wild goose chase because it could be coming from the any where even neighbors or faulty equipment on the cox plant. 

That is all you can do. Any other correction will have to be done with direct communication with Cox.  You can email them your info and problem at Coxhelp@cox.com.

Mike,

Thank you for your fast response.  When COX came to the house they mentioned there was noise on the line but they indicated that they adjusted the signal at the pedestal to correct.  I think you are onto something about external.  I've been monitoring when this happens trying to create a pattern and so far nothing internal seems to be the cause.  I'm wondering if there is something like a line conditioner that can be used.  I've asked COX to come back out and retest the lines so it should be interesting to see what happens.

Thanks again for your ideas.  Joel

We have frequently had the channel sticking problem for a very long time, except we don't lose audio/video. It just won't change channel even though it tries.  The only fix we've found is to unplug the box and reboot it.   Odd thing is it only seems to happen to my husband, so I think there is something about how he clicks through that causes an issue -- maybe he goes too fast or he's hitting multiple buttons on the remote or something.

At one point, I knew a key combination on box  that would reboot the box without unplugging it, but I've forgotten..

We have the SA 8240 HDC

Hi AD4618,

Thanks for the input.  Sounds like a similar problem.  I had the cable people back out and the switched me to the last generation box (SA Explorer 8240 HD) and the problem seems to have disappeared.  The cable technician indicated that this they have seen this periodically but no definitive patter.  You may want to consider switching boxes.