Troubleshooting: Black or Blue Screen on TiVo TCD140060 TCD 140060 - All Lights On Front Are Lit

There is a known problem with the TiVo TCD140060 and TiVo TCD130040. The problem affects only some units, and becomes more common as the units get older. This page will help you diagnose and repair the problem.

UNITS AFFECTED: TCD 140060 and TCD 130040

PROBLEM: There are two symptoms of the problem--in most cases, both of these symptoms are present:

1) Your TCD140060 or TCD130040 TiVo DVR displays no picture when it is powered on. If you are connecting from the TiVo to the TV using a coaxial cable (round screw-on connector that requires the TV to be set on Channel 3 or 4), then you would see a black or dark gray screen as soon as you plug in the unit. If you are connecting from the TiVo to the TV using red/white/yellow composite cables, you will likely see a blue screen or whatever screen your TV produces when it has no video.

2) If you look at the front of your TiVo DVR, you will see that all of the lights are lit, and remain lit. (While this symptom is generally present with this condition, sometimes, no lights at all are on. In this situation, a replacement power supply almost always fixes the problem also.)

RECOMMENDED SOLUTION: A new power supply. Please see our TiVo power supply page for product information. Please see this link for more detailed information.

Power Supply Installation Instructions:

1) Pull the plug from your TiVo and wait 5 minutes for it to discharge.

2) Open the TiVo and remove the drive bracket. Follow steps 1 and 2 in these instructions.

3) Remove the Power Supply:

(a) Use a Torx T10 screwdriver to remove the two (2) screws holding the power supply to the TiVo chassis (see blue circles in Figure 1). Use needle-nosed pliers to straighten the four (4) pins holding the power supply in place (see red circles in Figure 1 and the closeup of the tab in Figure 2).

(b) Then remove the flat white cable from the power supply (just pull the cable away from the power supply to remove it from the power supply connector). See Figure 3 for a picture of the cable after it has been removed.

(c) Next, clip the white cable tie holding the drive power cable in place (the cable tie is shown in the upper left corner of Figure 1 below).

(d) Then slide the power supply toward the front of the TiVo and up and out of the TiVo.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

4) Install the Replacement Power Supply: Reverse the instructions above to install the new power supply. Do not forget to re-connect the white ribbon cable and the hard drive power cable to the new power supply. Although your replacement power supply comes with a new drive cable, in nearly all cases, you can use the cable that came with your TiVo.

5) Reconnect the drive bracket and close the TiVo. Follow steps 6 and 7 in these instructions.

For support questions, please email us.