Troubleshooting Winegard Playmaker Antenna: No Movement Issue

Troubleshooting Winegard Playmaker Antenna: No Movement Issue

The Winegard Playmaker antenna is designed for convenient satellite TV access. If you're facing a "No Movement" issue, where the antenna doesn't move when powered on, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Receiver Compatibility:

  • The Playmaker antenna requires a compatible receiver, such as the Wally or VIP211 series.
  • Ensure you're using a compatible receiver. If not, you'll need to obtain one for the antenna to function.

2. Coax Cable and Connections:

  • Direct Connection: Use the factory-provided 25' coax cable and connect it directly from the receiver to the antenna, bypassing any RV wiring.
  • Power On and State Selection: Power on the receiver. If it prompts you to select your state and scan for satellites, proceed with the setup. The antenna should start moving during the scan. If you do not get the State and Scan screen, see our article on troubleshooting that problem. Troubleshooting Winegard Playmaker: No Mobile Antenna Setup Screen
  • Antenna Movement: If the antenna moves, the issue was likely with the coax cable or RV wiring. If you need a longer cable, consider the PIGM60L cable extender kit.
  • No Movement: If the antenna still doesn't move, proceed to the next step.

3. Voltage Check: See video on performing a voltage test. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYujLFp-nXo

  • Sufficient Power: The antenna needs at least 12VDC power from the receiver to operate. Use a multimeter to check the voltage at the end of the coax cable connected to the antenna.
  • Voltage Present: If there's at least 12VDC, the issue might be with the antenna itself, and it may need repair or replacement. Submit a Support Ticket for further assistance.
  • No Voltage: If there's no voltage at the antenna's coax cable end, check the voltage output from the receiver.
  • Sufficient Power: Check if the receiver is outputting at least 12VDC.
  • Voltage Present: If the receiver outputs 12VDC but the antenna doesn't receive it, the coax cable is likely faulty and needs replacement.
  • No Voltage: If the receiver isn't outputting 12VDC, it might be defective and needs replacement. Contact Winegard or DISH, depending on where you purchased the receiver, for warranty assistance.

Further Assistance

If you've followed these troubleshooting steps and the antenna still doesn't move, submit a Support Ticket for further assistance. Remember to include details about the steps you've taken and any observations you've made during the troubleshooting process.


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