How To Get Wireless Internet On Sky Box

To get wireless internet on a Sky Box, press Setup on your Sky remote, scroll to Internet Connection, and press Select. Then choose your Wi‑Fi network and enter the password using the number keys on the remote.

How to get wireless internet on Sky Box (HDMI model)

For Sky Boxes with built‑in Wi‑Fi (models with an HDMI port), the setup path is straightforward. Press Setup on your Sky remote. When the pop‑up appears, scroll to Internet Connection and press Select. Then choose your Wi‑Fi network from the list and type the network password using the number keys on the remote. The box will connect, and you can begin streaming on‑demand content immediately. Sky Germany's Sky Stream box uses the WLAN-Verbindung menu option, then WPS or Passworteingabe, with the OK-Taste to confirm.

Connecting a Sky+HD box with a Wireless Connector

Older Sky+HD boxes without built‑in Wi‑Fi require a Wireless Connector. Follow these steps:

Plug one end of the black Ethernet cable into the green port on the back of the Sky+HD box and the other end into the green port of the Wireless Connector.
Plug the black power cable into the blue power port on the Wireless Connector, then connect it to mains power and switch it on.
Wait a minute or two for available wireless networks to appear on screen.
Select your wireless network and enter the password using the alphanumeric keypad on the Sky remote.
Press Select to confirm the connection.
The screen will confirm the connection, then press Back Up to finish.

How to tell if your Sky box has built‑in Wi‑Fi

Check the front panel of your Sky box for a WPS button. If a WPS button is present, the box has built‑in Wi‑Fi and can connect directly to your home network. If there is no WPS button, the box does not have built‑in Wi‑Fi, and you will need either a Wireless Connector or an Ethernet cable to get online.

Using a mobile hotspot with your Sky Box

You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot to get wireless internet on your Sky Box when your home Wi‑Fi is unavailable.

iPhone hotspot setup

Go to Settings, tap Cellular, then tap Set Up Personal Hotspot and follow the onscreen instructions. On some devices, the path is Settings > Personal Hotspot. On your Sky Box, navigate to the Wi‑Fi network list and select your iPhone hotspot name, then enter the password shown on your iPhone. Apple TV connects to iPhone hotspot via Settings > Network > Wi-Fi, then selecting the nearby iPhone or iPad hotspot name.

Android hotspot setup

Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Hotspot. If Hotspot is not visible, tap Edit at the bottom left and drag Hotspot into Quick Settings. On your Sky Box, find your Android hotspot in the Wi‑Fi network list, select it, and enter the password.

Troubleshooting Sky Box wireless connection problems

If your Sky Box won't connect wirelessly, try these fixes in order:

Weak signal: Reposition your Sky Box closer to the router or remove physical obstructions like walls or large objects. Interfering devices like cordless phones, baby monitors, or microwave ovens can cause wireless signal issues.
Check password entry: Ensure you typed the Wi‑Fi password correctly using the remote's number keys or alphanumeric keypad.
Outdated firmware: Outdated firmware on the Sky Box can cause compatibility issues and impact wireless connection.
Wireless channel interference: Wireless channel interference from neighboring networks using the same channel can cause signal problems; changing the router's wireless channel may help.
Network congestion: Network congestion from multiple devices dividing bandwidth can cause slow speeds or buffering; consider upgrading internet plan or limiting connected devices.
Reset Sky Box: Resetting the Sky Box to default settings can resolve underlying software issues if all else fails.
Try a wired connection: If wireless continues to fail, connect an Ethernet cable from your router directly to the Ethernet port on the back of the Sky Box for a more stable connection.

For those looking to improve overall network performance, you may also want to learn how to make my wireless router faster by adjusting its placement or updating its firmware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can all Sky boxes connect to Wi‑Fi?

No. Sky Boxes with an HDMI port and a WPS button on the front panel have built‑in Wi‑Fi. Older Sky+HD boxes without a WPS button require a Wireless Connector or an Ethernet cable. Sky Q boxes all act as Wi‑Fi sources if powered unless Wi‑Fi has been manually disabled, while Sky HD+ boxes and Sky Stream pucks can use Wi‑Fi but do not act as Wi‑Fi sources.

What if my box won't connect?

First verify your Wi‑Fi password is correct and the box is within range. Restart both the Sky Box and your router. If the issue persists, use an Ethernet cable for a wired connection, which bypasses wireless issues entirely.

Can I use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi‑Fi?

Yes. All Sky Box models with an Ethernet port can connect via a wired Ethernet cable. This often provides a faster and more reliable connection than wireless.

Do Sky Q boxes act as Wi‑Fi sources?

Yes, Sky Q boxes all act as Wi‑Fi sources if they are powered and Wi‑Fi has not been manually disabled. This allows other devices in your home to connect through the Sky Q box.