Spectrum DVR Not Recording Scheduled Shows: How To Fix In ...

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I’m a big sports fan but unfortunately due to my hectic work schedule I always end up missing games that clash with work appointments.

I upgraded my set-top box to Spectrum DVR to record my favorite TV series and watch it whenever I want to, to fully savor the experience.

The episodes got recorded for the first few days without any hiccups, but as time went on, I realized that Spectrum DVR failed to record the scheduled episodes.

Now this wouldn’t do, and I went online to learn why this was happening, how I could fix it, and how I could prevent it from happening again.

I had to do quite a bit of research to solve this problem, reading through various tech blogs and support websites to find information relevant to the issue I was facing.

I hopped on to Spectrum’s Support page and found that the most common reasons for failed recordings are related to storage, improper cable connections and incorrect settings.

Spectrum DVR recording issues can be resolved by clearing the storage space, checking the cable inputs, resetting the DVR and setting proper recording instructions in place.

After reading the instructions provided by Spectrum, I applied them practically, and truth be told, my recording issues got resolved once and for all.

Here are some practical tips that I followed to overcome my Spectrum DVR recording issues, along with various steps taken to fix them.

Why is your Spectrum DVR Not Recording?

If you are having a hard time with your Spectrum DVR not recording your shows and wondering what could cause such issues, you are at the right place.

The most common reasons for the Spectrum DVR recording issues are attributed to lack of storage space, incorrect cable connections and cache memory build up in the device.

Before you get into troubleshooting, let me take you through some of the basic functions of the Spectrum DVR and its recording features.

How Many Shows Can a Spectrum DVR Record at Once?

From my understanding, the Spectrum DVR can record one show at a time while you are watching TV.

If you have a traditional DVR that comes with two tuners, then you have two options: record one program while you watch another on the TV screen.

And if they aren’t on your TV, then you can record two programs at a time.

On the other hand, if you are using an enhanced DVR that comes with six tuners and much more storage space, you can record more programs at a given time.

So the number of recordings made by the DVR depends largely upon its type, video format and the genre of the program.

Raise the Series Priority

I read through the Spectrum support page on DVR recordings, and according to Spectrum, your DVR won’t record your shows if there is a conflict in scheduled timings.

In other words, if you have scheduled multiple shows to be recorded simultaneously, your Spectrum DVR will not initiate the recording process due to a lack of proper instructions.

You can resolve this conflict by prioritizing the shows you really want to watch ahead of other programs.

For instance, let’s say that your favorite NFL game begins at the same time as your much-loved TV show.

Instead of scheduling a recording simultaneously, you can assign priority to one of the above programs that you really cannot afford to miss.

I would prioritize the NFL game if I were you, as most TV shows have a repeat episode. But that’s my priority, and yours may be different, so choose accordingly.

Here are the steps to assign priority in your Spectrum DVR.

• Press “My DVR” on your remote.
• On the left side of the screen, you will find an option called “Series Priority”.
• Press “OK” on the program that you would want to record.
• Press up and down arrow keys to reorganize the list of shows.
• Press “OK” to save your changes.

By ranking the shows, the Spectrum DVR records the one with the highest priority in case of conflict, even if you are not around to receive the warning message.

Clear your Storage

The most common issue for your Spectrum DVR recordings to fail is due to lack of storage.

Your recordings aren’t happening simply because there isn’t enough storage space left in the DVR.

I suggest you clear the space by deleting some of the old programs that you have already watched.

If all the programs are important to you, then try to transfer the video files to a flash drive, after which you can comfortably delete the shows to clear space.

I also recommend you keep your storage below 75% level to avoid recording failure in Spectrum DVR.

Manage your Storage

Another factor that you need to consider is the kind of video format that the Spectrum set-top box uses.

While using the SD (Standard Definition) format, the Spectrum DVR consumes less space than the HD (High Definition) format.

This is because the HD signal contains much more details and reduces losses in contrast to the SD signal.

You should also note that a sports recording consumes much more space than the other news, series, movies, etc.

You can also manage your storage by setting your Spectrum DVR to record only the new episodes.

Here are the steps to set your DVR recording restricted to only new episodes.

• Press “Record” on your Spectrum remote.
• Choose the series that you want to record and select “Record Series”.
• Under the record episode side scroll, choose “New only “.
• Select “Record” to finalize the settings.

Alternatively, you can also set the “record duplicates” feature off to ensure that the same episode is not recorded repeatedly to save space.

You can set the record duplicates to off by following the below steps.

• Press “Record” on your Spectrum remote.
• Choose the series that you want to record and select “Record Series”.
• Under the “record duplicate” option, side scroll, choose “No “.
• Select “Record” to finalize the settings.

You can use your recording settings wisely to manage and save space.

In my case, managing the Spectrum DVR settings is a tedious task, and I usually prefer using an external hard drive to back up all the recorded programs from the DVR.

This helps me to confidently delete all the recorded shows and series from my Spectrum DVR without the risk of losing the content.

Restart your Spectrum DVR

You can also face recording issues despite having sufficient storage space in your Spectrum DVR.

Sometimes metadata build-up can cause a malfunction in the DVR, which could impact your recordings.

A simple restart should solve your problem related to cache and metadata.

You can restart your Spectrum DVR by a power cycle, which is usually done by unplugging the power cable from the electric socket and plugging it back in.

Once the Spectrum DVR is powered up, give it some time until it becomes fully active.

You can wait until all the functions and features are loaded in the DVR and record your favourite shows.

Check your Inputs

Checking your cable connections is an important part of your troubleshooting activity.

First, you need to ensure that all the cables are properly connected to the Spectrum Set-top box and the TV.

If you are using an RF cable, ensure that it is correctly connected to the “RF in” port of the Spectrum DVR to get a proper TV signal.

A faulty coaxial cable can result in no incoming TV signal resulting in a black screen.

You also need to check the connection from the Spectrum DVR box to the TV to ensure that you get the final output without any issues.

I recommend you have an extra pair of coaxial cables to eliminate the possibility of loosened or faulty cables.

How to Record Series on your Spectrum DVR

One of the best parts of owning a Spectrum DVR is that you can record an entire series that you don’t want to miss no matter what.

You can ensure that the entire TV series is recorded and saved so that you watch it at your own pace anytime you want to.

You can easily record your favourite series by following the below steps.

• Press “Record” on your Spectrum remote.
• Choose the series that you want to record and select “Record Series”.
• Under the record episode side scroll, choose “All Episodes “.
• Select “Record Series” once you have set the start and stop times as per your requirements.

How to Record Series on the Spectrum Mobile App

If you are a Spectrum user, then you also get to enjoy the benefits of recording your favourite series on your mobile device.

All you need to do is download and install the Spectrum mobile app on your smartphone or tablet, and you are good to go.

Here is the step by step guide to record a TV series using the Spectrum Mobile app on your smartphone.

• Choose the TV series from the “guide” or using the search option in the app.
• Select “Recording Options”.
• You will be given a list of spectrum receivers to choose from so that you can save the content on the desired receiver.
• Select “Confirm”.
• Once the recording is completed, the series episodes will appear on the DVR list of your chosen receiver.

Final Thoughts on Recording Scheduled Shows on Spectrum DVR

Apart from the above problems, the Spectrum DVR recording might not occur if there is a faulty component in the recording device.

I suggest you contact the Spectrum support team through online chat or via phone call to raise a complaint on your device.

You also need to know that the Spectrum DVR cannot record videos On Demand.

I have made the mistake of trying to record content on Demand only to realize that Spectrum DVR does not support this feature.

Another issue that I found out is that the guide may not be able to identify or label certain programs like news content, as such programs do not have episodes.

This could result in failed recordings in your Spectrum DVR.

Lastly, ensure that all the record settings are properly in place to avoid missing out on your favourite TV series.

If you’re tired of fussing around with your Spectrum Equipment, and would like to see what else is on the market, remember to Return your Spectrum Equipment to avoid cancelation fees.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset my Spectrum DVR?

You can reset your Spectrum DVR by unplugging the power cable and plugging it back into the device.

Can you skip commercials on Spectrum DVR?

You can skip unwanted segments in your recorded content, including commercials, with the help of the Time Shift Buffer service used by the Spectrum DVR.

How do I access my Spectrum DVR?

You can access your Spectrum DVR through SpectrumTV.net or via Spectrum TV mobile app.

Why does Spectrum DVR cut off the show?

Your recordings can get cut off due to a delay in processing the signal through the cable system.

However, you can resolve this problem by time at the end of the recording to compensate for the delay.