How to Activate OpenView Decoder in Gansbaai: 3 Easy Ways

You bought an OpenView box, plugged it in, and the TV shows one channel and a message. Nothing else works. This is the most common call we get about OpenView in Gansbaai, and the fix is usually quick.

A new OpenView decoder arrives from the shop switched off on the network. It has to be activated before it shows any channels. There is no monthly bill and no contract, but the box still needs that one step. Below we explain the problem first, then the causes, then the fixes, and when it makes sense to call us.

Why your OpenView decoder is stuck on channel 100

Channel 100 is OpenView's home and help channel. When a decoder is not active, it is often the only channel you can see.

OpenView's own help page says it plainly: if you can only see channel 100, the decoder needs to be activated or reactivated. That is good news. It usually means the box is fine and only needs a message from the network.

We set up OpenView boxes in lounges, flatlets and guest rooms every week, often on the same visit as a full DStv installation in Gansbaai. The pattern is always the same. A box that has never been activated, or one that has been off the network for a long time, will sit on channel 100 until you activate it.

What a new decoder shows before activation

Expect one of these on a new box:

• Only channel 100 plays, and every other channel is black.
• A message such as "Channel not activated" or "No secure device".
• Error 200, 206, 69 or 20 on screen.

Signs an older decoder needs reactivating

An OpenView decoder that has worked for years can also drop back to channel 100. We see this often in holiday homes in De Kelders and Pearly Beach. The owners arrive for the long weekend, switch on, and find only the help channel. The steps to fix it are the same as for a brand new box.

What stops OpenView activation: the common causes

Before you dial anything, it helps to know why activation fails. In our experience on the Overberg coast, it comes down to four things.

A weak or missing signal from the dish

The activation instruction travels to your decoder over the satellite. If the signal is weak, the message never arrives, even when your phone says "success". OpenView says signal strength and quality should both be above 75% for smooth viewing. On the coast, salt air slowly eats connectors and LNBs, and we explain why in our article on how salt air damages satellite gear.

A dish on the wrong satellite or the wrong LNB

OpenView and DStv use the same IS-20 satellite, but on different frequencies. An old dish from another service may point somewhere else. An old or damaged LNB can also miss the OpenView frequencies. If you are weighing up a new LNB, our Smart LNB price guide explains what each type does.

A mistyped STB number

The STB number is long. One wrong digit and the system will not find your box. People also type the model number from the sticker by mistake.

A loose cable or power in the wrong order

A satellite cable that is not screwed in properly gives no signal. OpenView's advice is to unplug both power and dish cables, plug the dish cable in first, then power.

How to activate OpenView decoder with your phone (USSD)

This is the method we use on almost every job. It works from any cellphone, with no data and no app. Some people call it the SMS method, but you dial it like a normal number.

What you need before you start

• The decoder plugged into the TV and powered on.
• The dish cable firmly connected to the LNB IN port. If you are unsure which cable goes where, our guide to decoder cables and connections shows each port.
• Your OpenView remote. The HELP button is how you find the STB number.
• A cellphone with signal, and pen and paper.
• About fifteen minutes when the power is stable. Avoid starting just before a power cut.

How to activate OpenView decoder step by step

1. Switch on the TV and decoder. Go to channel 100.
2. Press HELP on the remote. Write down the STB number shown on the help screen.
3. Check the signal strength and quality at the bottom of the same screen. Both should be above 75%.
4. On your cellphone, dial *120*6843*1#. This number also appears in the bottom right corner of channel 100.
5. Choose the activation option in the menu and follow the prompts.
6. Type in your STB number exactly as it appears on screen.
7. Leave the decoder on. It may reboot and update its software, which can take a few minutes.
8. Once it settles, flick through a few channels to check they play.

Do not unplug the decoder while it updates, even if the screen goes black for a while. Pulling the plug halfway is a common reason people have to start again.

How to activate OpenView decoder on WhatsApp or by phone call

If the USSD code will not cooperate, OpenView has two other help lines. Both need your STB number, so write it down first.

• WhatsApp: 082 966 6429. Send your STB number and explain that you need activation.
• Customer care: 0861 696 843. Useful if an error code will not clear and you want someone to talk you through it.

Those numbers are listed on the official OpenView help and FAQ page.

If you would rather skip all of this, our OpenView HD installation service covers the dish, the decoder setup, activation and a full channel scan in one visit.

OpenView error codes and what they mean

Error codes look scary, but they fall into two groups. Some mean the box is not active. Others mean there is no signal.

How to activate OpenView decoder again after an error

For the activation errors, OpenView's steps are simple:

1. Dial *120*6843*1# on your cellphone.
2. Choose option 2 to clear error codes.
3. Enter your area's postal code when asked.
4. Pick the error message that matches your screen.
5. Enter your STB number.
6. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the message to clear.

For E52 and "no signal" messages, dialling will not help. Unplug the power and dish cables, plug the dish cable back in first, then the power, and let the box reboot. If the signal still reads 0%, the problem is outside on the roof.

Signal checks for OpenView on the Gansbaai coast

Most failed activations we get called out to in Kleinbaai and Franskraal turn out to be signal faults. The decoder is fine. The dish is not.

Rain fade and the south-easter

Heavy rain weakens satellite signals for a while, and OpenView notes that the picture returns once the rain passes. Wind is a different story. A strong south-easter can nudge a poorly fixed dish just far enough to lose the signal for good. Our article on signal drops in bad weather explains how to tell a passing storm from a real fault.

• If the picture breaks up only in heavy rain, wait it out before you try activating.
• If the signal stays low on a clear, calm day, the dish or LNB needs attention.
• If the dish arm wobbles when you touch it, do not try to fix it from a ladder in the wind.

Holiday homes and decoders that move house

Many homes in De Kelders, Franskraal and Pearly Beach stand empty for weeks. Decoders get unplugged, moved between houses, or left in a cupboard. OpenView says you can take your decoder with you when you move. If you want to use a box at a second property, read our guide on using a decoder at a holiday home first, because the dish at the new house matters more than the box.

Second-hand decoders

A used decoder can work well, but ask the seller for proof of purchase. If a box will not activate after several clean tries with a strong signal, phone OpenView before you assume it is broken.

When to call our team in Gansbaai

You can do the activation yourself in most cases. Call us when the problem is on the roof, not on the phone.

• The HELP screen shows signal strength or quality below 75%, or 0%.
• Your dish is old, rusted or was set up for a different service.
• You want DStv and OpenView from one dish, which needs a dual LNB.
• Errors come back after you clear them.
• You are not comfortable working on a ladder or roof.

We work across Gansbaai, Masakhane, Kleinbaai, De Kelders, Franskraal, Pearly Beach and out along the Stanford road. You can see the full list on our service areas around Gansbaai page.

At the time of writing (October 2026), OpenView lists its decoder at R799 and a replacement remote at R199 on its own site. Our Gansbaai DStv installers quote the dish, alignment and setup separately, and we always tell you if your existing dish can be reused.

We align by meter, seal the connectors against salt and rain, and do not leave until every channel plays.

How to activate OpenView decoder: FAQs