Many Freesat users with Humax boxes have been facing recording problems since yesterday, mostly with scheduled series and individual programmes not getting recorded.
The problems were showing up on various Humax Freesat boxes, including the Humax HDR-1000, Humax HB-1100S, Humax Foxsat and others.
Disgruntled Freesat users have taken to social media to voice their complaints, with some suggesting a few workarounds that worked for them so far.
- Update: Humax notified us that the issue has now been fixed – See their full statement below.
Freesat has been around since 2007, offering more than 200 free-to-air TV channels and radio stations, all transmitted via digital satellite.
Last year, a big shakeup was announced, when Freesat and Freeview came under the roof of a single company, Digital UK, which is owned jointly by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
To watch Freesat, you need a dish outside your house and a Freesat receiver (see our recommended Freesat boxes here).
Until 2020, Humax ruled the Freesat world – but eventually, they stopped making Freesat boxes. At that point, Freesat launched a new set of boxes from Commscope (formerly Arris) – both regular and recording boxes that also support 4K.
However, even though the old Humax Freesat boxes are not being manufactured anymore, many people in the UK still use them. Therefore, the problem that popped up this week is affecting many households.
It’s important to note that, as far as we know, none of the newer 4K Freesat Boxes have been affected by this issue.
Freesat Recording Problems on Humax Boxes
Freesat users started reporting the problems on Monday (February 14) – both on Twitter and on several Freesat and Humax boards.
https://twitter.com/Chrisdu04861426/status/1493507967492276225
The main issue seems to be with scheduled / future recordings, though some are also reporting problems with the electronic TV guide on their Humax boxes.
People who had programmes, films or continuing series scheduled to record, have had all those recordings fail.
#humax @HumaxUK I also see all of my #Freesat progs scheduled to record last night failed. Any answers please? https://t.co/FKvXYYQLOZ
— Anne (@2AMAnnie) February 15, 2022
Some users have found a workaround that seems to work, for now – before you schedule a programme to record, go to your Humax box’ setting and add a “padding time” of at least 1 minute before and after the recording – that seems to make the recording work, at least in some cases.
Another workaround, suggested by Humax, is to use Instant Recordings (simply press the record button for what you’re watching right now) – that seems to work, though obviously, it’s not a solution for things you want to record when you’re not near your telly.
Humax And Freesat’s Response
Update: Humax and Freesat’s technical teams were able to find and fix the issue. Their full statement follows:
“As of 3PM, February 15, 2022, the technical team at Freesat has implemented a fix that should prevent any further instances of this problem.
“If you require any further assistance, please do get in touch. Thank you all for your patience and again, we’re really sorry for the disruption this has caused.”
It’s worth noting that failed recordings from the past 24 hours will most likely not show up on your device even after the fix – so you would have to find and record them once again, if that’s at all possible.
If any of our readers are still facing issues with this – please let us know in the comments.
Humax’s original response, before the issue was fixed, remains here:
“We’re advising customers to use the instant record function in the meantime”, they said in a statement sent to us.
“We will post an update on our social channels when we have more information. Thanks to our customers for their patience while we look into this with Freesat.”
Freesat has also issued a statement, saying they’re aware of the issue. “Our team is working hard to resolve this as soon as possible.
“We understand the inconvenience caused during this time and appreciate your patience”.
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