RobotPoweredHome is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my blog, I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Putting on your favorite TV show or movie on your new television and set-top box after a long day of work can be a great way to relax. So naturally, it can be quite frustrating when your TV runs into problems, and you’re robbed of the time to unwind and enjoy your latest investment.
Some days back, while I was trying to set up my Fios TV One, I ran into a problem. The setup screen would get stuck on the ‘Preparing Network Connection’ screen, staying frozen for a while before failing the setup process. This issue was quite frustrating as it made it impossible even to finish setting up the TV.
Upon looking it up online, I found that this wasn’t an uncommon issue and after digging a little deeper through forum threads and articles, I was able to find a solution.
So I decided to create this step by step guide which will help you fix your problem and explain the possible causes behind it so that you may better troubleshoot these issues in the future.
If your Fios TV One is stuck on ‘Preparing Network Connection’, some solutions that you can try are to restart your Fios TV One and ensure that you have a good internet connection. Also, check the cable connections to your TV, check for a double NAT, and reset your Fios TV One if needed.
Restart Fios TV One
If you’ve ever faced technical issues in the past, you know that restarting the device solves the issue most of the time. While this solution may seem very trivial, it is actually very effective.
When you restart a device, you end up clearing both its cached and running memory. This removes any piece of defective code that may have been causing bugs, thus returning the device to a fresh state. Thus, restarting a device can help in fixing a lot of bugs and technical issues.
To restart your Fios TV One, unplug it from the power supply, leave it unplugged for about 15-20 seconds before plugging it back into power. This solution works for problems like having no sound on your Fios TV and Fios guide not working as well.
Ensure Internet Connectivity
One reason that can cause your Fios TV One to stay stuck in the ‘Preparing Network Connection’ screen is if the device could connect to your home network but is now unable to transfer data over it effectively. This can happen if your network connection is slow or unstable.
You can make sure that your home WiFi network is able to successfully connect to the internet by using a different device like your smartphone to surf the internet. In addition, you can check for your internet’s speed and stability by using online services to test your network speed.
To ensure the least hiccups while viewing, it is recommended that your internet speed is at least 5 Mbps. Restart your router if your internet is slow or unresponsive.
Check Your Cable Connections
Another issue that could be causing your problem is an improper connection. Your TV can have problems communicating over the network if the ethernet, coaxial, or power cables are not connected to it properly.
Make sure that all the cable connections to your Fios TV One are secure. You can do this by unplugging the cables and plugging them back in slowly and carefully, making sure that you connect each one tightly.
Also, make sure that none of the cables are damaged. If you find any physical damage like wrinkles or bends on any of the cables, make sure that you replace it immediately.
Check for a Double NAT
Another common issue that can cause the ‘Preparing Network Connection’ screen to appear is a double NAT (Network Address Translation) situation. This can happen if you are using both Verizon’s router as well as your own router connected to each other, creating two different private networks.
While some of your other devices can still access the internet while experiencing a double NAT, your Verizon Fios TV cannot. This is because Verizon needs a secure connection to its servers, which requires both your TV and set-top box to be on the same private network.
You can fix this issue by setting your Verizon router as a primary router and using your own router in AP (Access Point) mode. This ensures that all the devices on the network are part of the same subnet.
If, however, you want to use your own router as a primary router, ensure that the Verizon router has the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server turned off. If you are unable to access it, reset the router and reconfigure it while connecting it to your laptop or PC. Next, assign an IP address in your home router’s private network and disable both the DHCP and WiFi. Finally, use a wired connection between your home router and the Verizon router and reboot your setup box.
Factory Reset Fios TV One
If none of the above solutions worked for you, the only option left to try is to reset your Fios TV One to its factory defaults. However, keep in mind that it removes all your saved settings and configurations and cannot be reversed when you do this. So make sure that this is the last option that you consider.
To factory reset your Fios TV One device:
- Unplug the Fios TV One box from power.
- Unpair the Fios remote by pressing and holding the play/pause button and the zero (0) button until the LED on the remote begins flashing blue.
- Allow the LED to keep flashing until it turns red.
- Once this happens, plug the box back into power and press the menu button on the remote while pointing it at the cable box.
- Wait for the LED on the box to turn green. Once this happens, press the zero (0) key on your remote and press ‘OK’.
- After a few seconds, your Fios TV One box will reset itself to its factory defaults.
Contact Support
If none of the troubleshooting steps worked for you, it could indicate an internal issue with the device. In this case, the only thing left for you to do is to contact Verizon’s Customer Support.
While talking to the representative, make sure you give a detailed description of your issue and all the different troubleshooting steps you took. This will give them a clear idea of the problem and thus will allow them to assist you easily.
Replace the Device
If your warranty is still active, Verizon will replace your faulty set-top box with a new one after you return the faulty device. Be sure to follow all the guidelines of Fios equipment return. However, if you are using an older, outdated model, the best thing for you is to buy a newer one.
Each new model comes with its own set of features and upgrades, as well as fixes for bugs and issues on older models, making it a great decision to upgrade your set-top box.
Final Thoughts
While the ‘Preparing Network Connection’ error can seem daunting, it is quite easy to fix, as the article above shows. The article covered every possible issue with your Fios TV One, but there could be a chance that a problem with your network connection causes the error.
To prevent this from happening, make sure that your router’s firmware is kept up to date. Also, make sure that your TV is not accidentally added to your router’s blocklist, as sometimes this will allow it to connect to your WiFi network without having access to the internet.
Do contact your ISP for further clarification in case it is an issue from their end. Also, keep in mind that when you restart your set-top box and router, it will disrupt your internet connection, so make sure you hold this step until nobody is doing anything important on your network.
You May Also Enjoy Reading:
- Verizon Fios TV No Signal: How To Troubleshoot In Seconds [2021]
- FIOS Remote Won’t Change Channels: How to Troubleshoot
- Verizon Fios Router Blinking Blue: How To Troubleshoot
- How to Program Verizon FiOS Remote to TV Volume
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I connect FiOS TV One?
You can connect and activate your Fios TV One using the self-guided install tool in My Verizon or the My Fios app. The activation process can take up to 20 minutes.
How do I reboot my Verizon FiOS router?
First, unplug it from its power source. Wait for about 1 minute before plugging it back into power. Give the router about 1-3 minutes to initialize, and then you can connect to the internet.
Does FiOS TV One have a clock?
The Fios TV One has a clock that is automatically set from the Verizon servers. This means there is no need for you to set the time.
How do I get FiOS channels without a box?
By hooking your TV up to a Fios adapter. This will give you access to Fios channels. Other methods include extending the coaxial cable from your main Fios TV or programming the TV to pick up unencrypted Fios channels.
