Backup Your Sky box

This procedure works on all Sky/Sky+/HD boxes, and can fix problems such as freezing pictures.

Download PDF (Adobe Acrobat) instructions (1.4Mb). Also includes RAM backup instructions for Sky+/HD.

The procedure updates the system software and is generally known as a back up procedure due to the use of the back up button to initiate it – it cannot be used to copy recordings from Sky+/HD boxes.

  • Plug out the mains lead at the wall socket or at the back of the Sky box.
  • Press and hold the back up button on the Sky box (not the remote, the back up button can be found on the front of the Sky/Sky+ boxes or the top of HD boxes).
  • Plug back in the mains lead, while holding the back up button.
  • After approximately four seconds, red standby light will come on.
  • Keep the back up button held, after approximately ten seconds, four lights on Sky box will come on and the following screen will appear on your TV. At this stage release the back up button. (NB. certain boxes did not display the on-screen message through all of their outputs ie. aerial, scart etc. – if the four lights come on, assume the procedure is working). 

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  • The procedure should take about 10 minutes.
  • When the back up is finished the screen will go blank.
  • The Sky box will go into standby.
  • The Sky box is ready to turn back on.

While we have not experienced any problems, it has been suggested that viewing cards be removed from the Sky box before the above procedure. Simply re-insert the viewing card when the Sky box is turned back on.