What can be done about the annoying loud fan noise from the 7216 STB?
I've been hearing this complaint fairly frequently lately, and only about the 7216. One contributor wrote that it started happening right after a software update, so it could be a programming issue. A DVR needs at least 2 inches of space on all sides to breathe in order to stay cool. Obstructions to this airflow could be causing excessive fan speed and rev ups. If the DVR does have proper space to breathe, then the only cure I've heard of so far is to get a replacement.
I have just received a replacement box (7216-1) and it has the same issue of the fan running on high. It replaced one in a bedroom doing the same thing. It started after the last update with the new menu features.
I have another 7216-1 box in the living room and placed it in the bedroom location the two had issues running their fan on high. It had no problems. I placed the one with the high speed fan, lovingly called turbo, in the living room location and it still ran the fan on high.
I have read a couple post online about this. Its seems to be an issue with some boxes and the last update. I will update my post after a resolution with Verizon.
Just off the phone with Verizon Tech, this is a know issue. He said it only affects some set top boxes. They are working on an update, but don't have a time frame when it will be out. In the mean time, they are going to send me another box.
Anyone have a resolution for this noisy thing? We exchanged our old unit for this "upgrade" last week. It seems to run constantly. any luck exchanging for anpother unit?
Mine recently started this to, but only after a power up. I pull the power plug to force a restart, sometimes takes three or four tries before its quiet again, then I hope the power doesn't go out. Once started and quiet it stays that way.
@mattnworb wrote:My 7216, after a year of fine service, suddenly started making this same loud fan noise. Disconnecting the power has had no effect - tried 4 times. The ventilation around the box has not changed. Is there no other solution besides an equipment swap?
Almost certainly not. And Verizon does not provide any way to transfer any recordings from the old DVR to a replacement, so if you have any that you haven't watched you probably want to go ahead and do so.
But you can transfer your Favorites list(s), recording schedules, Guide settings, IMG customizations, etc. to the Cloud from the old DVR and then restore them to the replacement DVR once it is installed and activated:
Menu ==> Settings ==> Save Settings (then do a Restore Settings on the new DVR)
__________________________________JustinFiOS TV, 25/25 Internet, and Digital Voice userQIP7232, QIP7100-P2, IMG 1.9.4Keller, TX 76248 (VHO 1)
I have had the same issue. After a replacement, I had the same noise. I told support about the posts on the forums (on 9/28/13) and they said there were no known issues. I wonder how this is possible when many of these posts are acknowledged by Verizon staff?
I must be lucky. I havent had this issue on mine. Hopefully I wont either.
I just received a replacement for my QIP 7216 because the other one was making a intermittent and labored fan noise all the time. When I installed the replacement, it too made the same loud noise, but constantly. I just took your advice and changed the brightness to low, and the noise immediately stopped. I hope it stays that way. Thanks for the tip.
Thank you so much for this post. My DVR has been howling away for almost a couple of weeks now and I was afraid I might have to deal with Verizon's customer service again But after changing the led brightness to low its back to being quite again! Good Find Matty!
Having the same issue with the fan running. On my 3rd box in a month. So replacing the box is not the solution. Also changing the LED to low did not work. Unplugging the unit did stop the fan but the record function did not work. For the record function to work ,I had to resend the signal but fan started running. Verizon needs to step up and find a solution.
SQ
My 7216 had been working great for well over a year. Last month, it started making the constant fan noise. I had Verizon send a replacement that arrived this morning. I hooked it up and what do you know the new one makes the same noise. Changed the LED settnig to low with no result. I'll try again to get a new one sent out.
Had our QIP 7216 for at least 2 years with nary a problem. Then a few weeks ago, I started getting the
intermittent fan noise. Tried Matty's fix of changing the LED setting and voila, no more noise!! THANKS MATTY!
Yes, Verizon, this is still a problem. Just talked to verizon tech support and getting my 3rd motorola dvr in a month. So far, both DVRs I have gotten have had bad fan noise. The first one would run fine for a couple days and then start up at night when nothing was being used or recorded.(Adding this as my tech support guy thought that was what would do it). After unplugging for a while and resetting, it would be fine for a couple more days. The new one we got ran non-stop from the moment we plugged it in. That one is going back home to verizon. I am sure they will ship it back out to another one of their "valued" customers. I tried asking if I could get a different model than the QIP 7216 and was told they had no way to help. Verizon tech said that he knows of no current issues with fan noise. The posts I am looking at must be old. I am adding this to ensure they realize the problem is still going on. It is a problem with the equipment, not it's location. There is no way the box is overheating in the middle of the night with nothing on. If it were a heat issue, then it would turn on when the cabinet has the PS3, TV and DVR on at the same time. Plenty of room around it, so no airflow issues. Verizon, it is time to find better equipment. I may have to start thinking of switching companies if this keeps up.
I too have the problem with the fan constantly running on the same STB model. This was a replacement for an older model STB which stopped working properly. I've had the new STB for a week and it just started whirring this morning. There is sufficient space around the STB so ventilation is not a problem. I have unplugged the unit and restarted it. I have also reset the LED brightness to low. Neither step stoopped the constant whirring of the fan. I guess I'll need to get another box.
Oops. Spoke to soon. 10 days later the noise is back, regardless of LED settings. 😞
About two months ago my 7216 STB DVR (1st) fan noise increased. I cleaned the dust from the grill and when I went to restart it, it wouldn't. I got a replacement (2nd), same high speed fan noise from the start. I tried dimming the display with no luck. Had another one sent (3rd), when it started it made a couple cycles of low (quiet) to high (noisy) then stayed high. I tried dimming the display and it worked, quiet as could be, stayed that way for hours. Checked it the next morning, back to noisy. The noise level is unacceptable!
I have no heat, or airflow issues. I even tried them all in another room on a table top, to rule out the installation. I'm surprised there is not more concern or acknowledgement about this problem.
Thanks all. Looks like I got one of your returned boxes. Excessive fan noise. Setting the LED to Low had no effect. Where are my Torx wrenches.
Tried the high to low LED trick and it worked but for only about a week or so. Fan is back to its normal annoying self. Not interested in getting a new one based on the other responses in this forum. I will add that on occasion the fan has tired itself out and taken a break giving us some peace and quiet but I think with all the excitement over Christmas it is now reenergized to be as loud as it can in preparation for the New Year.
Come on Verizon!!, fix this and quit the elementary troubleshooting of "a replacement unit will fix everything" mentality. This is clearly a systemic issue with the last update pushed or a poor hardware choice.
@Xalerx wrote: Tried the high to low LED trick and it worked but for only about a week or so. Fan is back to its normal annoying self. Not interested in getting a new one based on the other responses in this forum. I will add that on occasion the fan has tired itself out and taken a break giving us some peace and quiet but I think with all the excitement over Christmas it is now reenergized to be as loud as it can in preparation for the New Year.Come on Verizon!!, fix this and quit the elementary troubleshooting of "a replacement unit will fix everything" mentality. This is clearly a systemic issue with the last update pushed or a poor hardware choice.
I haven't heard if a fix for this is in the latest IMG that is currently rolling out. Which version of the IMG do you have?
Hi. Right now I show Release 1.9.4 build 16.13 Object Version Number 36.13. Currently the fan is cooperating and is being quiet 🙂
Cheers!
Well, I just received a replacement to a DVR that started making that 'loud' noise for the past weeks as well. The replacement DVR (a Motorola), was worse. So, I'll be sending it back. This is extremely annoying!
Well, mine finally quieted down. Didn't change a thing, just went away. I know it will be back but who know when.
Same fan issue. Received a replacement QIP 7216 P2 DVR STB yesterday (to address another problem). Automatic Set up worked fine. Overnight fan speed increased and has not come down. Reboot no solution. Unplugging RF cable brings fan down (???) but that is not a solution. Problem seems to have been acknowledged by VERIZON but not solved. Keep up the posts reporting this problem. Offering replacement with units that have the same issue is not acceptable. If replacement unit works in VERIZON testing units they have to change their QA processes.
@rcstretch wrote: What can be done about the annoying loud fan noise from the 7216 STB?
So I have the same problem of course. Can't stand to use it. Tried jamming the fan but then it error codes as there must be a safety check on the unit to shut off if fan is jammed. Going to ask for another one.
My QIP-7216-P1 (1.9.5 17.17) starting sounding like a vacuum cleaner in the middle of the night last night. I tried rebooting, shaking the box, etc... Truning off the power (and leaveing it off) solved the noise problem.
... should also mention that unplugging the input cable reduces the fan noise as well, so it seems like a configuration problem not a true thermal/hardware issue.
There might be more to this than just the fan... I turned my DVR off overnight so I could sleep. When I turned it on this morning it would not "boot". Only the amber light on the upper right fo the display would blink. I tried things a couple times and at some point thing I saw the error code E024 (It was early and I was half asleep ;^)) I then unplugged the power and the input cable and then it would boot. Plugged the input cable in and things seemed to be ok. Only then did I find out that all of my series defininitions had been wiped, and all my recorcding had disappeared as well. Time to get a replacement I think...
Had my QIP 7216 for over two years. Last night, I called Verizon for a different issue (internet speed) and was talked into a two-year agreement for the souped-up 50/25 Fios package. Tech said my internet speeds would increase within a half hour and they did, as promised. My TV wasn't on at the time but when I turned it on this morning I noticed the loud fan noise started. I tried turning it off and it still kept going. Googled it and came here. Nothing is working to stop the fan except pulling the plug. I can't beleive how loud this thing is for a fan. Just wanted to post to keep the thread alive and document it for the next person. Going to call them in the morning.
The fan was intermittantly noisy for the past few weeks. Today it started running constantly. Tried the LCD setting tweak, but that did not make a difference. Called VZ. Customer service said it is a known issue and they will replace. This will be my 3rd DVR they're replacing. Based solely on this thread, it's been a known issue for 2 years, why aren't you being proactive and replacing all the DVR's with hopefully a different brand?
They do have a different brand. It is called Quantum.
My QIP 7216 DVR also started running (sounds like the fan) all the time. I saw other posts that said changing the LED display on the box could help. I did that and it did help me (for now). You might try the following:
Using your Remote Control, go to Menu, Settings, System, Set Top box, LED Brightness, and change the setting to Low.
Hope this helps.
