StarTimes error codes and on-screen messages each point to a different cause. Smart Card Error is usually a card problem, No Signal is the antenna, and No Access is the subscription. Match your message below, and you can clear most of them yourself in a few minutes.
What StarTimes Error Codes Mean
- No Signal: the decoder gets nothing from the antenna or dish.
- Smart Card Error: the card is loose, dirty or in the wrong way.
- No Service: there is a signal, but the decoder has not found your channels.
- Card not paired: the card belongs to a different decoder.
- No Access or Not Subscribed: the subscription has expired or has not reached the decoder.
Smart Card Error
This message almost always means the card is inserted wrongly, not that it is broken. Switch the decoder off, take the card out, and put it back with the gold chip facing down.
Always switch off first. Pulling the card out while the decoder runs can cause this error by itself. Follow the arrow on the card and push until it clicks.
If the error comes back, wipe the gold chip gently with a soft, dry cloth, then try again. Still no luck? The card or the reader may be faulty, so take both to a StarTimes outlet.
No Signal
No Signal means a connection or antenna problem, not an account problem. Check the cable, then move or raise the antenna.
With an indoor antenna, try several spots around the room. Even a small move can make a big difference. If that does not help, an outdoor antenna mounted high works much better, especially far from a transmitter or behind thick walls.
On a dish decoder, check that the dish has not moved and that the cable connector at the dish is dry and tight.
No Service
No Service means the decoder sees a signal but has not found your channels. Run a fresh channel search.
- Press Menu on the remote.
- Open System Settings.
- Choose Automatic Search and confirm Yes.
- Let the search finish without touching the remote.
If some channels are still missing after that, our guide to restoring missing StarTimes channels goes further.
No Access or Not Subscribed
This means your subscription has expired or has not been applied yet. Recharge, keep the decoder on a channel, and wait up to 15 minutes.
You can recharge with a card from a dealer, mobile money, your bank or the StarTimes ON app, depending on your country. After paying, leave the decoder switched on. If the message stays longer than 15 minutes, check your balance on the decoder to see whether the payment arrived.
Paid but still blocked? Our guide to resetting a StarTimes decoder after payment walks through every fix in order.
Smart Card Not Paired
This happens when the card is linked to a different decoder, often after a swap or a repair. You cannot fix it at home. Take both the card and the decoder to a StarTimes business hall, and staff will pair them again.
Decoder Will Not Power On
First, check that the power cable is pushed fully into the socket and the decoder. Then test the socket with another device. If the front light still stays off, the decoder needs a technician.
No Sound or No Picture
Check the cables between the decoder and the TV. Video out must go to video in, and audio out to audio in, matching the colours. Then make sure the TV is on the right AV or HDMI input.
Is only one channel silent? Press the Track button on the remote. Some channels use a different audio track that you have to select.
Other StarTimes Error Codes
StarTimes does not publish a full list of its number codes. For any code not covered here, restart the decoder first, then reset it to default settings if the code returns.
- Switch the decoder off at the wall, wait 30 seconds, and switch it on.
- If the code returns, reset the decoder to default settings from the menu.
- If it still shows, write the code down and contact StarTimes customer care.
A code that survives a reset can mean a hardware fault, so do not keep resetting.
StarTimes Error Codes: Common Questions
What does Smart Card Error mean on StarTimes?
The card is usually in the wrong way, loose or dirty. Switch off, reinsert it with the chip facing down, and clean the chip if needed.
Why does StarTimes say No Access after I paid?
The payment has not reached the decoder yet. Keep it on a channel for up to 15 minutes, then check your balance.
Clear StarTimes Error Codes by Matching the Message
Most StarTimes error codes come down to the card, the antenna, the channel list or the subscription. Read the exact message, follow the matching fix, and save the full reset for last. If you also use GOtv, our GOtv error codes guide covers that decoder.
For pairing, hardware faults or codes that will not clear, StarTimes’ official support page lists contacts for your country.
Frenzy valentine is a passionate blogger, developer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and author of myfreshgists.com.
Am using startimes on my phone ,the app I mean…but have been trying to pay and the payment keeps failing..what could be the problem
My decoder display 0xC02C0005.. error what can I do???
Smart card error am calling their line am told of coronavirus have told them am looking for virus.nkt
I paid for classic bouquet either on the 18th December but disconnected and have no access to any of the stations today 27th December.My smart card no is [number removed] with my mtn no [number removed]
still no change smarcard number [number removed] dont let my money go to waste pliz let me get the service i have paid for,… customer satisfaction.
To solve this, reboot your decoder and if the issues persists, contact StarTimes customer care. Thank you
i have paid for my classic subscription but i am not enjoying my viewing because the Tv is displaying “No access Smartcard not paired”… smartcard number is [number removed], please look into the matter.
Dear kihanya, note we are committed to solving issues with your satellite TV. However, I must bring to your notice that we are not StarTimes customer care.