How to Fix TiVo ‘Error C133’?

Some TiVo device users are reporting that they end up seeing the C133 error code (Cannot connect to the service) when trying to use the Search, the Browser, and the What to Watch Now functions.

After investigating this particular issue, it turns out that there are several different underlying causes that might be responsible for triggering this error code with your TiVO device. Here’s a list of the potential culprit:

Now that you are aware of every underlying culprit that might be responsible for this issue, here’s a list of verified methods that other affected users have successfully used to get to the bottom of the C133 error code:

Method 1: Checking for a Server Issue

Keep in mind that in the past, the C133 error with TiVo devices appeared due to a production update that was pushed and ended up crashing the TiVo server for North America.

Because of this, you should start by checking the current status of the TiVo servers and seeing whether other users in your area are currently experiencing the same type of error.

If you suspect that this scenario might be applicable, you should use services like DownDetector and IsItDownRightNow to investigate whether the TiVo servers are currently down.

Note: If your investigation has revealed that the Xperi Corporation (parent company of Tivo) is dealing with a severely crippling server issue, there is nothing you can do to fix the issue from your side. The only thing you can do in this case is to wait for them to fix their server problem.

On the other hand, if this investigation has revealed no evidence of an underlying server problem, move down to the next method below.

Method 2: Testing your Network Connection

Once you have made sure that a server issue is not applicable this time around, you should get to the actual troubleshooting. Since this problem is confirmed to occur whenever the home or work connection is down, you should see if your local area connection still has Internet access.

Keep in mind that the C133 error code is quite common in situations where the TiVO device is connected via a wireless network that no longer has Internet access.

To make sure this scenario is not applicable, you should take the time to test the current connections and see if you still have internet access.

There are a lot of ways of testing this theory, but our recommendation is to use a service like Fast.com to see whether you are still connected to the Internet.

If you have completed your bandwidth test and you have confirmed that you still have access to the Internet but you’re still encountering the same C133 error code, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Resetting or Restarting your Router

If you previously made sure that your home network is still connected to the Internet, the next thing you should do is make sure that the C133 error code is not actually caused by a TCP or IP issues that are facilitated by your router.

If you find yourself in this scenario, you can most likely resolve the issue in one of 2 ways:

• Restart your router – This operation will successfully refresh your current IP and TCP data that the router currently makes use of without reverting any settings and rules previously established for your router. However, keep in mind that this operation will only be effective as long as the issue is related to TCP and IP cached data.
• Reset your router – If the issue that’s causing the C133 error code goes beyond a simple TCP and IP cached data issue, a reset procedure will return your network device back to the factory state (in addition to clearing the cached data). However, if the issue is being caused by a router setting or a security rule, this method will end up earing the issue and resolving the issues.

A. Restarting your router

If you want to start with something that will not affect your immediate access to the Internet, you should start with a simple router reboot. This operation will end up clearing the currently saved Internet Protocol data and Transmission Control Protocol data.

To perform a router reset, start by identifying the power/switch button (typically located on the back of the device) and press it once to cut off the power to your device. After you do this, disconnect the power cable from the power outlet it’s currently connected to and wait for more than 1 minute in order to ensure that the power capacitors are completely drained.

NOTE: It’s important not to skip the part about disconnecting the power after you turn your router off since it allows the power capacitors enough time to clear themselves and get rid of any temp data that might be maintained in between restarts.

In case the simple router restart procedure didn’t fix the issue in your case, move down to resetting your network by following the instructions below.

B. Resetting your router

A router reset will ensure that there aren’t any network-related settings that might be causing the C133 error code.

But before you go ahead and reset your router device, you need to understand that this operation will ever all the previously established settings and security rules back to their default values. On top of this, your router will ‘forget’ any forwarded ports, blocked items, whitelisted items, and any other custom settings that you might have previously established from your router settings.

Important: If you’re ISP is using PPPoE, a router reset also means that your router will ‘forget’ the custom credentials used to give you access to the network. So before initiating a router reset procedure, ensure that you have the credentials supplied by your ISP at the ready.

If you understand the consequences of this method and you’re ready to proceed, you can initiate a router reset by finding the reset button (on the back on of the device) and using a sharp object (like a toothpick, needle, or small screwdriver) to press and hold on the reset button for about 10 seconds (until you see all the front LEDs flashing at the same time).

Once the operation is complete, re-establish the internet connection by reinserting the PPPoE credentials (if necessary), then return to your TiVO device and see if the problem is now fixed.

In case this problem is still not resolved, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 4: Restart or Powercycle TiVo Device

If none of the methods above have worked in your case, the next thing you should do is restart or power cycle your device and see whether this problem is actually being caused by temporary corrupted data that is currently being stored by your device.

If you find yourself in this particular scenario, start with a simple restart procedure.

To initiate a TiVO box restart, follow the instructions below according to the TiVo device and TiVO OS that you’re using:

TiVo Experience 3 OS

• TiVo Bolt, TiVO Roamio, TiVo Premiere –  Go to Settings & Messages > Help, then use the Restart box menu.
• Series 3 & earlier – Go to Messages & Settings, then access the Restart or Reset System menu before finally selecting Restart the TiVo DVR.

TiVo Experience 4 OS

• TiVo EDGE, TiVo BOLT, TiVo Roamio – Go to Menu > Help, then use the Restart box menu.

In case you have restarted your TiVo box and you’re still encountering the same C133 error code, initiate the power-cycling procedure by removing the power cord from the back of your TiVO device and waiting for a least 15 seconds between plugging it back in.

Note: This procedure will ensure that the power-capacitors of your TiVo device are cleared which will remove any temporary data that might cause this issue.

Once the power-cycling procedure is complete, repeat the streaming attempt and see if the problem is no fixed.