This post was most recently updated on November 19th, 2019

These tips have universal applicability. In fact, it transcends beyond satellite receivers as you can adopt the tips with other electronic gadgets such as phones. A regular and periodic software update is essential to the optimal performance of any piece of computer hardware. However, some software come with their issues. How would you know when it is safe to update your decoder? This article addresses that very important question of when you should update a sat decoder or when to skip an update.

Regardless of the kind of receiver in your possession, this post will surely be priceless and valuable to you.

Questions you Need to Ask Yourself Before Updating Your Decoder

1.  When should I update my decoder,
2. Why should I Upgrade my decoder 
3. When shouldn’t I Upgrade my decoder/receiver? I will have to take the question one after the other starting from the first to the last.

3 Major Categories of Satellite Receivers that Require Regular Software Upgrade

Below is the list of the types or forms of satellite decoders that may need software update at one point or the other.

• Satellite Company Branded Decoders. E.g DStv, beIN, Canal, sky decoders and so on
• Pure Standalone Free to air decoders e.g strong receivers, OpenBox, DreamBox and so on.
• Hybrid decoders such as 3d extreme, tiger t3000, icone decoders and so on.
• Finally, we have FTA and IKS decoder combo such as nusky, tiger t8, skysat, icone and so on.

Precautions Before Upgrading Your Decoder

1. change-logs: Every software release has a changelog. Changelogs consist of new features as well as discontinued ones. If you happen to not like what is contained in the changelogs, you may not update.
2. new features: Do you really care about the new features?
3. stable version: Is the new software stable or a beta version?
4. reviews and opinions: You may need to get the opinions of users

Note: you must have uninterrupted power supply before you update the software on any electronic device. A satellite receiver is not an exception

1. When you Should Update a sat Decoder

Like I said earlier, irrespective of the decoder that you own(be it mytv, canal decoder, DStv, sky, beIN decoders tiger, 3d tech..), it is important to know when it is time to upgrade your decoder. In the majority of cases, you have an option to update or not to update. The followings are the instances where a satellite receiver’s software will be imperative.

• Upgrade your receiver’s software when there is a performance drop: For example, if your system becomes so slow and it starts to malfunction, once you have ruled out any decoder hardware issues, you need to check for the latest update and upgrade your decoder’s software accordingly.
• When your IKS/SKS Decoder stops opening channels: Another instance, when you may need to upgrade your decoder’s software, is when you have an “IKS/FTA” decoder that has stopped decrypting channels. The manufacturer may roll out an update for you to kick back on track.
• When you Want to Restore or Remove a particular Feature: When a feature is missing in your decoder or you want to remove a feature, you may need to downgrade or upgrade your decoder to a specific software version. For instance, a decoder may be originally manufactured without the option to connect to the internet via 3g. The OEM may release software to add this feature.
• Upgrade to patch a security issue: If the software is released for your receiver to patch a vulnerability, you must in your own interest upgrade your decoder immediately. No one wishes to continue using a compromised decoder.
• As a necessity, you must upgrade your decoder if you are using any satellite tv company-branded decoder. I see no reason why you should ignore a push notification to update your software from mytv, canalsat, DStv, startimes sky, and so on. They know what is best for your decoders, so don’t skip it
• Furthermore, there may be a special performance enhancement brought about by the new software. In such case, you are advised to upgrade your decoder.
• Lastly when your decoder is dead then you can try to load the latest firmware to wake it up.

2. When you Should not Upgrade Your Decoder’s Software

Surprisingly, there are a couple reasons why you may choose to skip a particular software version for your decoder. In this section, I will give you some pointers to when you should ignore a software update to your decoder. In your interest, don’t jump on any software upgrade before you read about what it has to offer.

• Don’t accept an update in a situation whereby you can’t guarantee a stable power supply throughout the course of the upgrade process. If you allow power to go off while you are upgrading your decoder’s software, you run the risk of killing your decoder. So, beware!

How to Recover/Revive Dead TigerStar & SunPlus Receivers Via USB or PC

• Also, don’t update your decoder when you know that it will disable one of your favourite features. As I speak, Samsung galaxy phones with newer android os lack the option to set an image as a WhatsApp profile picture. This feature used to be available on the older android operating system. Similarly, qsat once released software that removed dqiptv and replaced it with another type of IPTV. Some strong decoders firmware tends to remove vital features such as dongle option menu and cccam options.
• Always try to avoid beta versions of any software. Beta version of the first release of a version of software tends to be generally buggy. on the contrary, the last version of a particular software is most of the time the most stable. Therefore, if the software is tagged “beta” or it is the very first release of a new version, you can skip it. wait until there is a stable version.
• Unnecessary features: If you do a research and you realise that the software is bringing unnecessary features, it is safe to skip
• Known cases of bloatware and bugs: Just like the beta version discussed above, if, by upgrading, you will inherit bloatware or bugs from the software, skip that version until there is a stable one.
• Some software may degrade the specific performance on some devices: It is not out of place to upgrade your decoder and all of a sudden, your decoder’s user interface may become to respond slowly. if you get a hint beforehand of such a possibility, please skip that version.

Tips on What to do After you Upgrade your Decoder’s Software

If you notice a drop in the performance of your satellite receiver after a software upgrade, please kindly performed the following operations:

• Reset your decoder to factory default(Note, you will lose all your settings and channels)
• If the above doesn’t improve the situation, you may need to downgrade back to the previous version.
• Let’s assume the two tips above fail, then, it is time for you to wait for another software version that will fix the issue.

Summarily, Only upgrade the software of your decoder when it is absolutely necessary. The only exce[tion to this is if you are using a branded decoder and subscription from a satellite tv provider. Even at that, regardless of your decoder or subscription, don’t upgrade when there is an unstable power supply.