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TiVo Kickstart Codes and Information
TiVo kickstart codes enable certain diagnostics at boot time. If you're having problems with your TiVo, this information may help you to determine the source of the problem. Additionally, some codes can help with setup issues.
How to Perform a Kickstart Code:
- Reboot the TiVo - This can be done by pulling the plug and waiting
at least 10 seconds before plugging it back in, or you can use
the menus under Message and Setup to tell the machine to reboot
itself.
- As soon as the machine begins the reboot, hold down the yellow
Pause button on the remote. Make sure the remote is aimed at the
TiVo.
- For most machines: Hold this down until a yellow light shows
on the front of the unit.
For units with DVD: Hold Pause until both lights
go out, then the right light goes red.
For TiVoHD users: you'll see either (a) a flashing
green light, then amber and red lights, or (b) red, green and
amber lights.
For TiVo Series3 users: you'll see all four lights
lit, then an amber light alone.
For TiVo Premiere users: Don't hold pause. Power
up the unit. When the yellow light starts flashing, press pause.
Then the red light should come on. Enter your code, and then blue
light should come on.
- Now enter the kickstart code from the list below. In most cases,
the light will then turn off and in many cases (depending on the
code and the model) the unit will then reboot. If on the reboot,
you don't get the expected behavior, try again, and try to enter
the code sooner after the light change.
| 0 |
Emergency dial-in (tone) |
Forces the TiVo to attempt a dial-in to TiVo servers via phone.
While this is proceeding, you should see this screen:
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| 1 |
Emergency dial-in (pulse) |
Same as above, with pulse dialing for older systems. |
| 9 |
Emergency dial-in (tone, with a "9" prefix) |
Same as "0" with a "9" prefix for PBX systems. |
| 51 |
Software Upgrade |
This would force the installation of an available OS upgrade. In our experience, it's rarely effective since any viable OS upgrade should install on its own at reboot time.
You'll see this screen while the install is proceeding:
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| 52 |
Emergency Software Reinstall |
This attempts to reinstall the last version of the TiVo OS on the unit.
You'll see this screen while the install is proceeding:
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| 53 |
BER Testing |
This tests the Bit Error Rate. We don't have too much info on this routine. |
| 54 |
Hard Drive Test |
This code allows a SMART test of the hard drive(s). Most recent hard drives support this series of tests. Other tests are also available. See our full TiVo kickstart code 54 page for info. |
| 55 |
Tuner and AFT Test |
Again, not a lot of info on this one. We think AFT stands for "automatic frequency tuning." |
| 56 |
Software Install |
The TiVo attempts to connect to the TiVo servers to download and install the most recent version of the TiVo OS for that model. The unit should be connected to the phone line or ethernet. |
| 57 |
Media File System (MFS) check |
Causes a GSOD (green screen of death) to appear while it checks and attempts to repair any file system problems. |
| 58 |
Media File System (MFS) cleanup |
Same behavior as 57, presumably with rudimentary defragmentation. |
| 62 |
Initialize eSATA drive |
No longer useful, this code was the backdoor to adding eSATA drives to stock Series3 TiVos. This can now be done by just plugging in the drive and rebooting. |
*DirecTV DVRs and Series3 TiVos (in HD) record digital broadcast streams and all compression is determined by the broadcaster, so hours stated are estimates assuming average compression. Standard Definition TiVo DVR and TiVo Upgrade Kit capacities are stated at Basic Quality. All capacities may vary due to hard drive models used. Capacities are guaranteed to be within 5% larger or smaller of stated size. Email with any questions. 
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