Self Installed Cable Box

[Lscole16]

I got an additional cable box for my upstairs bedroom. I realized AFTER I mounted my tv on the wall that I was looking at the wrong cable input in the wall and the coaxial outlet was actually across the room. So the coaxial cord that came with the self installment kit didn’t reach so I went and got a 50ft cord from Walmart. I got home and did everything the instructions told me, but now I just keep getting a screen that says “We’re not able to connect to this set top box” I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.... and I’m not paying $70 for a technician to come do something I can simply do myself. I just don’t understand what’s wrong. I’ve unplugged and plugged the coaxial cord, HDMI cord multiple times and the message keeps popping up. Any suggestions on what I should do?

[Again]

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@Lscole16 wrote:
I got an additional cable box for my upstairs bedroom. I realized AFTER I mounted my tv on the wall that I was looking at the wrong cable input in the wall and the coaxial outlet was actually across the room. So the coaxial cord that came with the self installment kit didn’t reach so I went and got a 50ft cord from Walmart. I got home and did everything the instructions told me, but now I just keep getting a screen that says “We’re not able to connect to this set top box” I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.... and I’m not paying $70 for a technician to come do something I can simply do myself. I just don’t understand what’s wrong. I’ve unplugged and plugged the coaxial cord, HDMI cord multiple times and the message keeps popping up. Any suggestions on what I should do?

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I would bet that outlet isn't live, in which case you'll need a technician to come out and turn it on.

[Lscole16]

I live in a duplex, if my landlord knows a lot about electrical stuff, would he be able to do it or no? Is Having someone come turn it on going to cost me $50?

[lesmikesell]

Do you know if it has ever worked?  And if it is a separate feed from the other unit?  Someone with access to the basement/attic or wherever the wire goes might be able to trace it to the comcast entrance.  Do you even know if you have a comcast feed if a tech didn't come out to install it?

[Lscole16]

They came out and installed the first cable box I got for my living room. This is just an additional box I got for the upstairs bedroom.

[lesmikesell]

If I were doing it, I'd probably activate the new box downstairs, connecting it with a temporary splitter just to make sure it works - and then try to trace the wiring to make sure the upstairs wire is connected at all.   Someone may have disconnected unused runs in the past.

If you also have xfinity internet with a leased gateway, you should have the option of using one of the wireless boxes for your second set (Xi5 or Xi6) which might be a solution if the wire can't be connected correctly. 

[CCAndrew]

@Lscole16
What is the model of your 2 boxes? Does your working first box work if you bring it to the second location?

[CCAndrew]

@lesmikesell
If the OP has X1 boxes, the secondary box won’t work (if it’s not an XG2) without the main box hooked up.


If I were doing it, I'd probably activate the new box downstairs, connecting it with a temporary splitter just to make sure it works - and then try to trace the wiring to make sure the upstairs wire is connected at all.

[lesmikesell]

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@CCAndrew wrote:
@lesmikesell
If the OP has X1 boxes, the secondary box won’t work (if it’s not an XG2) without the main box hooked up.

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Yes, I suppose I should have been more clear about the point of hooking it up with a splitter.  The main box also needs to be connected and powered up, but you can swap the HDMI to the new box to see what it is doing.