No one wants their television stream to be interrupted, especially in the middle of a game. Why? Because the enthusiasm is running high, the viewers are at the edge of their seats, and everyone is scanning the scoreboard to see if their favorite team will snatch the victory. When such an exhilarated atmosphere is set, the last thing anyone needs is the cable box malfunctioning, wiping the programming, and showing the accursed message, “cable settings not available.” Sadly, that’s what happens in most cases. There could be any reason for it. Your cable provider might have a problem at their end, your equipment might be at fault or you may have missed the due date on that monthly bill. Whatever the case, you don’t need to despair. This post is here to help you troubleshoot your cable box from Cox.
Who doesn’t know about Cox Communications? This cable company has been in the running since 1962, proudly delivering high-speed internet, channel-rich cable TV, unlimited phone, and complete Homelife services to its 20 million or so subscribers across 18 states. If you happen to live in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Omaha, San Diego, Oklahoma City, Tucson, and Virginia Beach, then you can be sure to find Cox in your area. To get the amazing cable programming from Cox, you have to subscribe to one of its marvelous TV packages and set up its state-of-the-art equipment, which includes a cable box, DVR, and a 4K streaming media player, depending on your chosen tier. Since Cox cable is also not immune to random outages like its competitors, you can expect your cable box to go out every once in a while.
This might not be a problem if you’re randomly switching the channels, but if you are hooked to a game, then the message, “Your settings menu is not available” can easily turn your mood off. What can you do in this case? First, contact the Cox bill pay department to inquire about any missing payments, or check the Cox app to see your statements.
Loose Connections
The thing about cables is that they come loose over time, interrupting your television feed. You might be looking for a problem in the system when the only thing you need to do is inspect the cables. So, go ahead and scan the wiring properly. See if the cable card, composite cables, component cables, audio cables, HDMI, and the power cable is plugged in the right spot. Tighten the loose wiring and check if your picture comes back on. If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.
Remote Inspection
The communication between your Cox remote and the receiver might be awry, casing this whole fiasco. The good news is that you can troubleshoot your remote on your own, by following these steps:
- See if your Cox remote is programmed the right way.
- Ensure that the remote is in TV mode.
- The Cox remote should have a direct line of sight to the receiver, with no obstacles in its path and the distance not exceeding 15 ft.
- Check the batteries. Are they inserted properly? Are they dead? In any case, reinsert a fresh pair of batteries into the remote.
- Order a new remote if your current one’s damaged.
A new remote should communicate perfectly with the receiver, enabling your settings menu.
Manual Reset
If the cables are fine and the remote is working properly, then do a ‘2-Minute Power Cycle’. It has the potential to reboot your receiver, giving it a fresh restart. You only need to follow three simple steps, here:
- Unplug the receiver from the power outlet.
- Wait for two minutes.
- Plug the receiver back in and power it on.
This is called a manual reset. Once you do this, your cable signals will be restored.
Cable Connection Reset Tool
Another way to reset your Cox cable receiver is to go for the Cable Connection Reset Tool that the provider hands out to its subscribers. Keep in mind that a reset via this tool might take up to 15 minutes, and it will interrupt your recordings if any. To use the Cable Connection Reset Tool, sign in to Cox.com and click on the “Reset Your Receiver” button in the equipment-troubleshooting menu.
Cox App Reboot
Cox gives you one more platform by which you can reboot your TV equipment, and that’s through the Cox mobile app. If you’re a tech-savvy individual, more comfortable with your smartphone, then download the free Cox app and log into it with your account credentials, which include a User ID and a Password. You can also register for an account and set a new password, in case you don’t already have one. Next, head to Home > My Services > My TV > Reset Equipment. A Reset Cable Box screen will appear. Tap on Begin Reset to start the reboot cycle, which may take up to 30 minutes.
Automated or Professional Reset
You can also call the Cox customer service number to give them an earful about the issue you’re facing. Request a reset and let the agent reboot your receiver using an automated reset system. If it doesn’t seem to restore your screen, then the last resort is to call in a technician for an inspection. A professional should get your Cox cable receiver going in no time.
Wrapping Up
Use the aforementioned tips to quickly fix your receiver like a pro. These will make sure that the “Cox Cable Settings Menu Not Available” message disappears and you get your entertaining Cox channels and exciting programming back.
