Fix Faulty DStv Smartcard Errors Codes like E04-4, E05 and E06-4 Without Visiting DStv office

You have every need or right to panic if your DStv’s decoder suddenly starts throwing up smart card errors out of the blue. Many things start creeping into your mind, such as: Am I going to have to buy another decoder altogether? Would I need to buy just another smart card? Is my subscription wasted? How long will the fix last if I am to take this decoder to the DStv office? I am happy to tell you I have had the worst DStv decoder smart card errors. I went out of my way to fix the one I encountered recently. This guide will teach you how to fix faulty DStv Smartcard error codes.

You will be able to fix DStv faulty smartcard errors such as “E04-4(Please insert the Smartcard), E05 and E06-4(The Smartcard is either faulty or has been inserted upside down. If it is defective, please take it to the nearest…..Agent)

What Constitutes a Decoder’s Smartcard Fault and Error Code?

As you must have noticed, many Pay-TV subscribers are gradually introducing cardless decoders. Your Deocer’s Smartcard works like your sim card, it is subject to damage from abuse or mishandling.

Using the simplest of definitions, a Smartcard can be said to be faulty when the decoder to which it has been paired/matched suddenly fails to recognize the Smartcard. You will know there is a problem with your decoder’s Smartcard when your decoder starts throwing up error codes on your television screen. In the case of DStv multichoice decoders, you get errors and the accompanying message such as this: “E04-4(Please insert the Smartcard) and E06-4(The Smartcard is either faulty or has been inserted upside down. If it is faulty, please take it to the nearest…..Agent).

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Causes Of a Decoder Smartcard Error Codes

Although I will use a DStv decoder as my case study, This fix can be applied to any decoder using a Smartcard to decrypt its contents. Before we discuss how to fix faulty DStv Smartcard error codes, Let us first determine the causes of this error.

• Normal wear can cause Smartcard problems.
• Make sure you place your decoder on level ground or furniture. Prevent it from slanting. Also, make sure it is securely positioned.
• Don’t shake your decoder while it is on and working. Please avoid shaking or moving around your decoder while it is on with its smart card inserted. If you do, you will most likely have a Smartcard error.
• Clean your decoder and its environment as frequently as possible. Dust can also cause a faulty Smartcard. It can accumulate on the golden chip on the card and cause it to lose connection.
• Also, avoid removing your Smartcard from your decoder for whatever reasons. If you form such a habit, you will soon damage your Smartcard.
• If you must travel with your decoder, please remove the smart card and wrap it up with a spotless cloth. Also, ensure you cover up the entrance of the smart card on your decoder. The reason is that you may not control your movement while traveling. Good for you if you are traveling by road in Nigeria. Your decoder and every item that is not secure in your vehicle will dance around uncontrollably. This will cause a displaced Smartcard eventually.
• Needless to say that your decoder is not water-resistant. Avoid moisture from accumulating inside your device. Also, do not submerge it.
• Please, do not bend your smartcard
• Also, make sure your kids don’t play with your decoder.
• Furthermore, try as much as you can not allow your decoder to fall off from any height.
• Finally, avoid placing your smart card in flames or scorching temperatures.

How To fix Faulty DStv Smartcard Error Codes Without Visiting any DStv Office

We have two significant errors when something is wrong with your smart card. The first is “E04-4″. This error is accompanied by a message as follows: Please insert the Smartcard. The second error code is  “E06-4″ with the following message “The Smartcard is either faulty or has been inserted upside down. If it is faulty, please take it to the nearest…..Agent”. For the sake of clarity, I have replicated the two errors in the pictures below.

First Method

You can try the following to get your problematic smartcard to work again.

1. Firstly, make sure you have inserted the card correctly. To determine this, remove the card and insert it, ensuring the chip faces downwards, and the arrows on the back of the card face the decoder.
2. Simply remove and re-insert it and make sure you lock it in properly.
3. Use a soft clean, and dry cloth to clean the golden chip on the Smartcard.
4. If the above also doesn’t work, blow compressed air into the CA slot. I mean, blow air into the Smartcard slot to isolate the dust therein.
5. Slightly bend the card outward towards the chip. Please use decorum while doing this, as the card must not appear as being warped. Also, if you don’t do this properly, you could break it.
6. Let’s assume the above fails to solve the issue, it is time for you to do a hard reboot of the decoder. To do this, remove every accessory attached to the decoder, including the LNBf cable, HDMI cable, and AUX. Lastly, remove the power cord and wait for around 5 minutes. Return every to position apart from the LNB cable; once the decoder has booted fully, plugin in the LNB/coaxial cable and see what appears. You should see an I07-4 error this time around. This message tells you to hold while the system repairs your Smartcard. IT usually lasts for less than 1 min.

fix faulty DStv Smartcard error Codes: If the first method fails, Try these steps.

This trick is a kind of invention. When others failed me for the first time. I guess the card is gradually wearing out due to age, abuse, and normal usage. I applied the trick that has worked for me when any of my sim cards began to act up.

The Steps

• Get a transparent tape plus a paper or paper tape without paper. You should not use paper tape with a sheet of paper.
• Remove the Smartcard, then apply two layers of paper tape at the back of the card. Ensure you only apply at the portion that falls behind the Smartcard chip. Do not apply this to the entire Smartcard. Also, ensure that no part of the tap extends to the other side of the Smartcard.
• Alternatively, if you use transparent tape and a sheet of paper like me, use light writing paper. Make sure you fold it once, then fasten it to the back of the Smartcard with the help of the transparent tape.
• Finally, clean your Smartcard once again and insert it. By now, you must see the “decoder is checking the Smartcard and current viewing status. Please wait…” message. This means you are on track. Wait a little more time. Your channels will start showing.

The last resort

Except if you have broken your DStv smartcard into pieces, the above trick will work for you. Peradventure, you still can’t fix this with all said and done, It is time to take it to DStv authorized dealer for a swap or replacements. In an extreme case, you may need to pay in full for another or add a little money to get an exchange. You must handle all your electronic gadgets with utmost care. You will be better off doing so.