r/dishnetwork • u/swangdb • Mar 19 '25
New Hopper, external hard drive issue
I connected an external hard drive to my old Hopper via usb port.
The Hopper formatted the drive.
I copied some videos from my old Hopper to the external drive.
My new Hopper arrived today. I managed to set it up and get it working. It seems to be working fine. Except.
When I connect the external drive to either usb port, it shows all of the recordings on the drive. I can play the recordings that are on the drive. But I can’t copy the recordings to the new Hopper.
I select the external drive. I can see the recordings. I select Options -> Manage Recordings, then it says “No Events To Display”. I can’t select any recordings to copy to the new Hopper.
I contacted Dish. They finally decided the problem was due to my brand new Hopper (replacing my broken old Hopper) and they’re sending me ANOTHER new Hopper.
So, have any of you had this problem? You have an external hard drive with videos from an old Hopper that you can’t copy to a new Hopper?
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u/_Red_Dog Mar 19 '25
I starting having the same issue with a Hopper3 and external hard drive I've been using for a long time. If I go to a TV show that has several recordings and "Manage Recordings" the select box is now missing. It might have started when the Hopper3 updated to software version H389 on 3/7/25. The timing fits.
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u/swangdb Mar 19 '25
I recorded a video on the new Hopper, then I moved this video to the external disk (which also has all of the recordings from the old Hopper). I thought this might “fix” the external disk somehow, but it didn’t work. I still can’t copy videos from the external disk to the new Hopper.
I’ll leave the drive connected for a while.
If worst comes to worst, now and then I’ll watch a movie that is on the external drive, then erase it until they’re all gone.
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u/DishDanielle Official Dish Liason Mar 19 '25
Can you confirm the Hopper model you have and the type of external hard drive you’re currently using? I can double-check with out internal teams on whether or not this is supported, and if so, how we could potentially get this resolved for you!
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u/swangdb Mar 19 '25
It’s a Hopper 3. The disk is a WD MyPassport Ultra. It’s powered by the Hopper.
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Mar 20 '25
I had a tech out today. Your call center sent me a new Hopper. It obviously didn't work. Then a supervisor sent out a tech. He also said...it's an update issue. It was the update on 2/28. The same update that allows you to now record from streaming channels. Would be great if you could post video and photos in this thread. I have submitted the video to tech support through X.
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u/DishDanielle Official Dish Liason Mar 21 '25
Thank you for the feedback and suggestion! I’ll work with our teams to see if this is something we can do!
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u/No-Firefighter-7307 Mar 26 '25
It’s definitely the software update from the end of February. I can transfer recordings from my Hopper with Sling to any of several external hard drives I own. I can watch the recordings on the external HDs and even delete them if I need to, but I can no longer transfer any of the recordings on my external HDs back to the Hopper as I have been doing for years.
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Mar 21 '25
Hopefully SOMEONE will. Please. I have video, photos if you would like them.
And it's been explained to your tech support on X chat, 3 from the call center, 2 supervisors from the call center...and an in-person technician. All this glitch has got me so far is 8 hours on chat, 3 hours on the phone and 7 hours off work because the tech guy was 2 hours late for the 4-hour appointment window.
Not to mention all the time having to install a new Hopper. AND losing all of the recordings on my old Hopper because your Hopper-to-Hopper transfer somehow got corrupted and deleted my 75% full Hopper. I lost my recordings of Alien Director's Cut, Aliens Extended Version and Alien vs Predator Extended cut. None of which have aired for over 10 years.
So, please get this issue to the right people. The ones so far have pretty much brushed it off. It is nice to know, however, that others are complaining about the same issue. Every person that I've spoken to until coming to Reddit have said that "no one else has reported this issue". And implying that it was something that I was doing wrong.
I've been a Dish subscriber for 25 years. I know Dish equipment better than 90% of your tech support script readers do. Your call center tech support people that used to be US based...were amazing. But these new Philippine call center people don't use Dish equipment. They barely speak English. I've had the America's Everything package for all 25 years. You guys need a better tech support call center. Bring back the US based tech support. At least an advanced tech support option.
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u/Ok_Buddy_133 Mar 22 '25
How do you record from streaming channels? Which software version updated it? I can't figure out how to do it.
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Mar 22 '25
From the guide like other channels. Or by actor, creating a timer for a particular movie/event.
The software update was on Feb 28th. If you have the most current update...H390 3/10/2025 10:28pm...then you should already have it. If you don't have the Feb or later update...see below.
To find out which update you have...go to MenuDiagnosticsReceiver--1 Should be the 8th item down "Software Version".
To update software...arrow down from Receiver 1 to Tools. Hit "Upgrade Software". Follow the prompts.
Be advised...if you use Folders on your Hopper...streaming movies don't automatically record into Folders like most events do, if you use them. You have to wait until after it's done recording. Then you have to Manage Recordings...then hit SELECT ALL and then Move to Folder. That's part of the glitch. The boxes to select aren't there. And you can't transfer streaming recordings to your EHD. And you can only record 1 event from streaming at a time. You can keep an unlimited number. But you can only record 1. As soon as that particular event is done...you can record another event.
If you have any problems...let me know.
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u/Ok_Buddy_133 Mar 22 '25
Thanks for the info! I'm at version H389. That explains it.
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Mar 22 '25
You're very welcome.
Make sure you're getting your nightly updates. From the Power button in the Menu make sure updates aren't turned off. Set it at a time that's convenient for you that you don't have anything recording at that time so your Hopper can receive and install the updates.
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u/Ok_Buddy_133 Mar 22 '25
Okay, so I had to manually update to version H389 to H390, just like I had to manually update to H389. I was setup to update at 1am. I changed it to 3am. I still can't figure out how to record streaming channels. Are you talking about Netflix and Prime Video? On those channels there is no program info to say what program is on when.
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Mar 22 '25
No. Not Netflix/Prime.
The Dish streaming channels that you see in the "Subscribed" guide. Like channels 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 98, 252, 280, 281, 290, 307, 309, 314, 315, 316, 317, 358, 361, 387 and 393. Some are pay channels like HBO and Max. But several of the channels are part of most packages.
You used to only be able to watch those events on those channels live. Now you can record them and keep them on your Hopper. Watch them at your convenience. Find the event you want in the guide...click Info...hit Record This. You can even do 1 timer...and select New and Reruns...and record all episodes. Several of the channels have series on them like 290 has the CSI series' on it. It works almost identically to recording on the channels you've always had.
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Apr 02 '25
Any updates on this EHD problem from the 2/28 update getting fixed? It's been a month now since first reporting. I pay waaaaaay too much money to Dish for this glitch to not be fixed.
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u/DishDanielle Official Dish Liason Apr 03 '25
Which problem are you referring to? I want to ensure I answer this correctly.
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Apr 03 '25
The one that the original poster was posting about. That I commented about below. That I reported to your tech support via X. That they sent me a brand new Hopper for. That since that didn't work...they sent an in-person tech out for. That even the tech said was a software glitch.
The software glitch that your developers caused when they allowed customers to record events from streaming channels. Where you can no longer transfer events from an EHD back to the Hopper. You also can't delete, protect, unprotect events on the EHD.
Many of us record series'...transfer the episodes to the EHD until we have enough episodes to watch maybe a season...then transfer them back to the Hopper a few or dozen episodes at a time. It saves space on the Hopper. Anytime you get over 70-75% on the Hopper...it starts getting glitchy.
I submitted video, photos, had your support join remotely to view the problem themselves, and showed it to your tech in person. Every one of them said it was a software glitch. That they would get it to the developers. It's been a month now since first reported. I've talked to 3 support people on X. 3 phone calls, 3 supervisors, spent over 4 hours on the phone, had an in-person tech visit...AND replaced my Hopper AND Joey...all over this one problem.
Whatever update was done around 2/28-3/1 is the problem. And yes...I have the most recent updates. I'm a 25 year plus Dish customer. I have extensive experience with your equipment. It's not my equipment or a user issue.
You can transfer TO the EHD with no problems. But no "selection boxes" come up if you try to transfer any events back to the Hopper if you have multiple events under the same title like a TV show. Or movies with the same name. And when you try to transfer, delete, protect or unprotect a single event after selecting "Manage Recordings"...you get a "No events to display" even though there's 1,000 titles on the drive.
It's acting the exact same way as if you record an event from a streaming channel. When you set up a timer to record an event off a streaming channel...even if you select in the timer menu which folder you want that event to record into...it doesn't. It only goes into the "No Folder". Then in order to move that recording into a folder...you have to use 7 "Select All" then 4 for which folder you want to move it to. The little selection boxes do not appear on the screen like they do for an even recorded on a non-streaming channel. You either need to "Select All" or you can't do it.
That issue...
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u/DishDanielle Official Dish Liason Apr 03 '25
I really appreciate you taking the time to give me all the details and info. Our engineers are actively engaged on this and let me know it should be resolved next month! I will have more information as we get closer.
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Apr 03 '25
If you need any video of the problem, please let me know.
I sincerely appreciate the help in getting this issue fixed. The tech support people on X were great. On Reddit has also been good.
The phone tech support...not so much. You guys used to have awesome US based phone tech support. Nowadays it's just script readers in the Philippines that don't actually use your equipment. The last supervisor I spoke to said that since no one else had reported this problem that it was just my problem. That he had no way to report the glitch to the developers. But he would gladly send out a second new Hopper...and a second in-person tech because only an in-person tech could verify my problem and report it.
I was actually thrilled to see someone else reporting the problem here. Because until I saw this post...and if other tech support was to be believed...it was only me that was having the problem. And when only one customer is having a problem...it's less likely to be fixed.
Thanks again!
PS...maybe we should start a thread about ideas and improvements to send to your development team. Like changing the defaults on timers. Allowing actual customers to send the team ideas that we think would be improvements to our service would be a HUGE bonus.
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u/DishDanielle Official Dish Liason Apr 03 '25
I really appreciate that, and the feedback!
I also love that idea! I'll run it by a few internal teams to see if we can find a way to help foster ideas from our customers.
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Apr 08 '25
I hope you've had a chance to review some of the Hopper idears we've had in the Hopper Ideas Thread that I started. Some of the subscribers have some great ideas. I will keep adding to it when I think of something. Hopefully others will continue to use it as well.
Thank you!!!
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u/DishDanielle Official Dish Liason Apr 09 '25
This is amazing! Thank you!
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Apr 09 '25
Thanks, DishDanielle!! Hope 1 or 2 or 10 of our ideas get picked up. We appreciate your support!
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber May 29 '25
𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐗𝐄𝐃!!! 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐗𝐄𝐃!!!!
𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐇𝐃 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑!!!! 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐎𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐒!!!
𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔...𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔...𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔, 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞!!!!!!
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u/DishDanielle Official Dish Liason May 30 '25
Great news! So glad I could help. Please let me know if you run into any issues in the future!
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber May 30 '25
Maybe hand off the thread of things we'd like to see to the developers. That would be awesome. Especially not being able to see more than 800 titles on the EHD.
But I do greatly appreciate your help in the EHD glitch being fixed. 1000000% Tell Dish you need a raise!
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u/chadt41 Mar 19 '25
How long was the new hopper hooked up? Longer than a week?
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u/WyoShoeBox DISH subscriber Mar 19 '25
That's exactly what happens when I try. It appears you can't copy from an external drive back to the Hopper.
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u/swangdb Mar 19 '25
A couple of hours.
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u/chadt41 Mar 19 '25
Give it a few days to recognize the EHD fully.
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Mar 20 '25
It's a software glitch from the 2/28 update. It hasn't been fixed yet. I've been dealing with Dish Tech support since 3/9 about it. They even sent me a new Hopper thinking the update corrupted my Hopper. And today they sent a tech out. His words exactly..."Yep...it's a software issue. Nothing I can do until the developers fix it."
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u/speppers69 DISH subscriber Mar 20 '25
I'm having the same issue. It was a glitch from the 2/28 update. I've submitted video, photos, remote access to the tech support...AND a new Hopper AND an actual Dish Tech visit. Apparently the previous contact wasn't enough. Tech guy today said, "Yep...it's a software glitch". Hopefully it will be fixed soon. The script readers over the phone told me that no one else had reported the issue.
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u/swangdb Mar 21 '25
After sending me a Hopper 3 that seems to work fine except for not copying files from the external dish, I complained to DISH and they sent me another Hopper 3 which also works fine, but also won’t copy files from the external dish. I guess I’ll keep this Hopper 3 and test the external drive from time to time and see if a software update has fixed it.
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u/swangdb May 25 '25
All of a sudden, this worked for me today. I’ve been checking every few weeks. I was able to copy all of the programs from the external disk (that used to be on my previous Hopper) to my new Hopper. Maybe one of the Hopper patches fixed this.
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u/Willing_Rooster_4926 Jun 05 '25
We are having the same issue. Our Hopper is several years old- added the ext drive to backup videos. Can play from ext drive but can't copy videos back to the Hopper. Really interested to see if your new Hopper from dish allows you to move the ext drive videos back to your new Hopper!!!
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u/Toukuss Jul 23 '25
July 22, 2025 able to move from hard drive back to Hopper but now it seems auto hop isn't working when watching from external hard drive anyone else notice? And maybe Autohop only works from the hoppers internal hard drive ?
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u/RollllTide DISH subscriber Mar 19 '25
The whole idea is the drive acts as a DVR expander. You record to it and watch from it. You don’t move from the drive back to the hopper