If you're just starting to troubleshoot a problem with your SlingLinks or SlingLink TURBO units, see the basic SlingLink and SlingLink TURBO troubleshooting article. You can find a link to it in the Related Information section on the right side of this page.
If you've tried everything in that article and you're still are having problems, follow these steps:
1. First, double-check that the units themselves are working properly. Plug them both into the same power outlet as shown below.
The Link lights on both units should come on. On the SlingLink, the Link light looks like this:
On the SlingLink TURBO, the Link light looks like this:
2. If the Link lights don't come on and the SlingLinks still don't work when plugged into the same outlet, contact us. Our contact information is at the top right of this window. We'll do some more troubleshooting with you to narrow down the problem.
3. If the SlingLinks are OK, there are two other things to look into: electrical interference and wiring on different phases.
Electrical interference
In some situations, electrical interference may prevent your SlingLinks from working reliably. Your SlingLinks may work for awhile and then suddenly stop working for no apparent reason, even if you haven’t moved them to different outlets. You may also experience slow data transfer, causing your Slingbox or SlingCatcher to have a very slow streaming rate and/or a jittery picture. If the interference is really bad, it may prevent your SlingLinks and SlingLink TURBOs from working at all.
There's no guaranteed magic solution, unfortunately, but there is something that's worth trying. Your local electronics store should have ferrite RFI/EMI* choke cores. While their name sounds complex, the devices themselves are very inexpensive and extremely simple. They work much like a filter, screening out interference.
Just snap these around each power cord for your SlingLink TURBOs and they'll block some of the interference. You may need to use several of them on each power cord if the problem is severe. Since the original SlingLinks don't have a separate power cord, these cores can't be used with them. Read on for other suggestions.
*What's RFI or EMI and where does it come from?
Knowing about interference (also called "line noise") and where it comes from can help.
RFI: Radio Frequency Interference
Radio/TV station broadcast antennas are major sources of this kind of interference. If your house is close to one of these antennas, you may hear a radio station faintly playing through your stereo speakers even when the volume is turned all the way down.
- SlingLink TURBOs and RFI: With SlingLink TURBO's, using ferrite RFI/EMI choke cores might help.
- SlingLinks and RFI: With the original SlingLinks, try moving them to a different outlet that's in a part of the house that gets poor radio reception.
EMI: Electromagnetic Interference
You may notice this kind of interference when something with a large electric motor (such as the one in an electric power tool) is plugged in to the power in your house. Other possible sources include appliances or electric power transmission lines. You may hear a crackling sound on your AM radios when you have this kind of interference.
- SlingLink Turbos and EMI: With SlingLink TURBOs, using ferrite RFI/EMI choke cores might help.
- SlingLinks and EMI: With the original SlingLinks, try moving them to a different outlet.
Wiring on different phases
When SlingLinks or SlingLink TURBOs work, they communicate as shown below.
Note that the power for the entire house shown above comes from one power line.
If the SlingLinks fail, the power outlets in your home may be divided into separate phases. This means that you may have two or more independent power lines coming into your home, with some outlets on one phase and other outlets on another as shown below. When the SlingLinks are plugged into outlets that are on different phases, they can't communicate.
If your power outlets in your home are divided between multiple phases, you may need to try your SlingLinks on several outlets to find the outlets that share the same phase.
Typically, there's no obvious way to tell if the outlets in your home all come from the same phase, even when you look at the circuit breakers or fuse box. Your house may have a separate circuit breaker or fuse for each room but if the power comes from the same supply line, SlingLinks will work.
If the power comes from split or multiple supply lines, SlingLinks may not work.
Note: Of course, if you have questions about the wiring in your house you should contact a qualified electrician.
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