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All Forum Categories
You'll find access to the major sections of the Community by clicking Categories – found at the top of the site.
This will take you to All Categories, where you can choose the Category that you'd like to visit.
You can also click DIRECTV Community Forums, which will take you back to the home page. From there, you can access specific forums, the Latest conversations and Top FAQs.
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Subscribing
Subscribe to a topic
To get email updates when something new is posted to a topic, as a registered user, you can Follow that topic.
At the top of the topic that you'd like to receive notifications for, simply click the Follow button.
Subscribe to a post
To get email updates when something new is added to a post, as a registered user, you can Follow that post.
At the bottom of the original question, you will see a series of options: Like, Comment, Follow and Share. Choose Follow from that menu list.
You will now receive a notification to your primary email address whenever there is an update to this question. It's just that simple!
Manage your Notification Preferences
You can manage whether you receive Notification emails for a number of DIRECTV Community Forum activities, including topics and posts that you are following. To manage these preferences:
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Be sure you are signed in to the Community.
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Click on your user avatar (top-right corner) and select Profile Settings.
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From your Profile Settings page, choose Notifications.
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Then, simply turn Off the options for which you would prefer to not receive email notifications by clicking the slide-bar (all notifications are On as a default)
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Filtering
When you open each Forum Category (DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, etc.), and select a specific Topic, from there you have the ability to view the Questions posted within that Topic.
You will always see the most recent activity listed first.
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Community Search
You have the opportunity to Search the DIRECTV Community Forum, from the Search box at the top of your screen.
Just type the keywords or member name you're looking for in the search box.
You may see a drop-down with suggested results, based on popular searches and the words you've typed in. If one of these is what you are looking for, just select that item to display it. Clicking outside the blue box will make the box disappear.
If none of the suggestions fit, select the magnifying glass icon again to view a list of search results.
Your results screen shows how many results we found.
On the right, the Sort by menu lets you choose a way to sort your results - by Relevance, Most Recent, Activity, Likes, Most Popular – to offer you more control on the quality of your results.
Note: You can also search within a Forums topic to receive results specific to that topic.
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Signing up / Signing In
Signing up lets you fully participate in the Community - post, reply, and share your questions and advice. We hope you'll join the conversation.
How to Sign up
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First click Sign in, at the upper right corner of the page.
… or if you're accessing the Forum from your phone or tablet, click on the menu button in the upper left:
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Click Sign in / Sign up.
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Then click Sign up.
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Fill in the form.
Note: the Community ID you choose cannot contain spaces or "DIRECTV." Your password should be at least 8 characters long, have letters and numbers, and include a special character.
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Don't forget to check I'm not a robot, to complete the CAPTCHA process. If you are an employee or Non-Payroll Worker (Contractor), please check the I'm a DIRECTV employee box.
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Select the Sign up button and we'll send you a confirmation email.
Note: by clicking Sign up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Community Guidelines.
In order to post new questions, respond to existing questions and get the most out of the DIRECTV Community Forums, you will need to Sign in.
How to Sign in
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When visiting the DIRECTV Community Forums, you can sign in at any time by clicking Sign in, at the upper right corner of the page:
… or if you're accessing the DIRECTV Community Forums from your phone or tablet, click on the menu button in the upper left:
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Click Sign in / Sign up.
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Then enter your Username or Email, your Password and click the Sign in button.
You can also choose to Keep me logged in, to reduce the times you might be asked to sign in, in the future.
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Forgot Password
There are times when we all forget our password and need to reset it. In addition, if you are a returning user you may be asked to reset your password for security reasons. The good news is it should only take a couple of minutes!
How to Reset a Forgotten Password
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First click Sign in at the upper right corner of the page:
… or if you're accessing the DIRECTV Community Forums from your phone or tablet, click on the menu button in the upper left:
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Then, click Sign in / Sign up.
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Then, click Forgot password?
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Enter your email address and click Send Email. (Please make sure to enter the email address you originally used to set up your Community profile.)
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Next, please look for the email from us in your email box, and click on the Reset Password button. It should look like this:
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Enter your new password. It should be at least 8 characters long, have letters and numbers, and include a special character. Click Submit.
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Avatars
An avatar is your "face" in the DIRECTV Community Forums. When you sign up, you will be assigned an avatar. But don't worry, not only can you change your avatar, we'd love for you to do so.
It's easy for you to choose an avatar that matches your personality and interests!
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When logged into the DIRECTV Community Forums, click your current avatar - found at the top right of the page - and select View Profile.
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On your Profile page, click the Edit button.
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Now, click Update Profile Picture to upload an image.
You can upload most any kind of image - *.jpe, *.jpg, *.jpeg, *.gif, *.png, *.bmp, *.ico, *.svg, *.tif, *.tiff, *.ai, *.drw, *.pct, *.psp, *.xcf, *.psd, *.raw
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When you're done, click Save and that's all there is to it!
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Profile
Profiles show information about Community members to other members and visitors.
Viewing another member's profile
You can see a snapshot of a user's profile by hovering over their avatar, from a Forums Question or Post.
If you click View Profile, you will be taken to their Profile page.
Members and visitors can see the following information without signing up or signing in when they go to the member's profile screen:
- Community ID
- Number of Posts
- Number of Likes Received
- Number of Responses
- Number of Conversations Followed
- Total Accepted Solutions
- Community rank
- Latest Contributions
- Any badges earned by the member
- Signup date (Joined)
- Lists of posts, solutions, activity, and images
When you are signed in and you view a member's profile, you'll also have the option Follow that member.
Managing your profile
To manage your own profile, sign in, and then, from your Community ID - in the top right of the screen, either choose Profile Settings or View Profile > Edit.
On the Profile Information page, you can modify your Avatar, Email Address, and your Signature, and you can create an introduction that will appear on your Bio.
If you need to update your password, you can do so on your Account Information page:
Finally, as discussed under Subscribing, you can adjust your notification options on the Notifications page:
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Joining the conversation
The best way to take part in the DIRECTV Community Forums is by starting or joining a Conversation.
A Conversation is a Thread of posts that belong together, created when one or more members of the community responds to a particular Question.
When you post a new Question, you've started a Thread! If you reply to an existing message, your reply becomes a Response to the original message Thread.
The ways you can ask a Question and reply to an existing Question are very similar.
How to Ask a Question
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To ask a question, click the Ask a question button, found throughout the DIRECTV Community Forums.
A new screen will open.
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Begin typing your question or comment in the Title box. In the Description box, provide a detailed description of your question or problem. You can also take advantage of the formatting tabs and buttons available to you.
Below these two text boxes, you can choose where you want your post to appear (Category/Topic) and add tags. When you're done, just select the Post button.
Note: If you're new to the community, you will need to Sign up to create an account and post your question. If you're an existing member, you will need to Sign in to continue.
Creating a Conversation
If you are signed in on the DIRECTV Community Forums, you can create a Conversation by posting a reply to Questions that interest you. You can also continue that conversation by posting replies to the Responses that a Question has received.
How to Reply to a Question
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Make sure that you have signed into the DIRECTV Community Forums.
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When you see a Question that you'd like to answer or reply to, simply click inside the text box that states Comment on the post here.
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The text box will expand to provide you more space to post your comments. You can also take advantage of the formatting tabs and buttons available to you.
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When you are done, click Post and your reply will appear under that Question's Responses.
If someone else chooses to do so, they can continue the conversation with the Reply to this comment here… option, at the bottom of your response.
How to Post Images
When you are Asking a Question or posting a Reply, as part of an DIRECTV Community Forum Conversation, you can upload images by clicking the Image button.
This will bring up a screen where you can browse your computer, drag and drop image files or enter URLs to published images.
Once you have chosen your image, you will be presented with a Preview. From this screen, simply click Add.
The following image files are all accepted: .jpg, .jped, .png, and .gif with a maximum of 2MB.
Note: You can access Questions from the Forum landing page by selecting the title - to open it, to read it, to Like it, to Follow it - and then clicking the Post button to join the Conversation.
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Likes
When you are signed in to the Community, you can Like a helpful Question, Response or Reply. To assign a Like, simply look for and click the Thumbs Up icon, to the left of a post. It's just that easy!
What can you do with Likes?
When searching the DIRECTV Community Forums for helpful posts, you can filter your results by Likes to find the results that DIRECTV Community Forum users found the most helpful.
The higher the Likes, the more likely that other users have read and taken advantage of the posted reply!
You can track your Likes on your View Profile page. Then as your content helps more and more customers and garners more high ratings, you can watch your Likes soar!
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Accepting Solutions
What are Accepted Solutions?
An Accepted Solution is an answer that users can replicate to solve their issues or answer their questions themselves - without having to contact, chat or call DIRECTV.
How do I find an Accepted Solution?
Posts marked as Accepted Solutions have a light bar and indicator, at the top of the post, noting that it is an Accepted Solution.
You will also see a notification that the Conversation has an Accepted Solution on Forum Landing Page indexes.
Accept as a solution
When you're signed in, you can mark replies that answer the question you posted by hovering over the three dots, in the top-right of the Response, and choosing Mark as Accepted Solution. Community moderators / administrators may also mark an Accepted Solution to help other members find it.
Remove the accepted solution mark
If you change your mind, you can remove the marking and select another post clicking the Unmark as Accepted Answer link from the post's drop-down list. Doing so will remove the Accepted Solution indicators.
Community How-To
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Getting Started
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Community Basics
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Ranks
You can learn a lot about your fellow DIRECTV Community Forum members from their rank titles. Higher ranks = more active and helpful in the community. After all - we're all here to help each other!
Are you wondering how you can increase your rank? Doing these things can help you level up in the community:
- Reading posts, blogs and other content in the communities and lounges
- Commenting on content other community members post
- Tagging content to make it easier for others to find via search
- Asking questions about your DIRECTV products
- Providing answers to other community member's questions
- Having your answer selected as the Accepted Solution to a question
- Community members earn ranks based on their level of participation as well as how long they have belonged to the DIRECTV Community Forums.
Different ranks have different privileges measured by points, which you accumulate as you progress. Below you can see the new ranks and how they stack up. The ranks kind of "run into each other" depending on the activity of the member - Observer, Curator and Participator. Each activity in the community - reading, creating, replying, tagging - gives points, and points translate to ranks.
- Everyone starts or has started as a New Member. As that New Member gets involved, they start observing, curating and contributing.
- Observer Ranks: An Observer reads posts. They like to learn!
- Curator Ranks: A Curator tags content to help other members to find good stuff!
- Contributor Ranks: A Contributor creates posts and Accepted Solutions. They make things happen! Contributors enjoy the highest ranks.
Members are automatically given the highest rank for which they qualify, even if they perform multiple types of activities. So, for example, when a Visitor observer starts tagging posts, he'll be ranked a Participant very quickly.
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Badges
Have fun and show your community status too! You can earn badges for all sorts of activities like being active in the community (#1 Star!) or for, creating great Accepted Solutions (Helpful 1).
The following is just a sample of the badges available. Badges may be available in different levels too. Once the badge is earned, it'll be showcased on your Community Profile page. What are you waiting for?!?
Extra Badges You Can Earn:
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ACE
ACE Banner
The Award for Community Excellence (ACE) is given annually to highly-respected members who have regularly helped fellow users with outstanding answers, practical advice and timely tips.
What is the Award for Community Excellence (ACE)?
The Award for Community Excellence (ACE) is an exclusive designation awarded every year in August to recognize top contributors to the DIRECTV Support Community.
If you're selected as an ACE Achiever, then you've gone above and beyond for this important forum. And that's what makes this community work: members like you sharing tips and solutions with other members based on your own experience with DIRECTV products and services!
We believe expert users who regularly contribute useful solutions deserve special recognition. And that's what the ACE program is all about.
How do I become an ACE Achiever?
ACE Achievers are our most passionate, knowledgeable and valued contributors. To become one, you'll need to meet some basic criteria. For example, you should:
- Meet criteria for a minimum number of posts and accepted solutions throughout the year.
- Set a model of excellence in the community through your interactions with other users.
- Not be an AT&T or DIRECTV employee.
How are ACE Achievers nominated and selected?
ACE achievers are nominated once a year. We'll announce when nominations open up, usually in July. You can be nominated in two ways:
- DIRECTV Community Managers can nominate top contributors after considering the total number of posts, marked solutions and kudos received from the previous year. They take into consideration how other users have rated nominees on the quality of their interactions.
- Other community members can nominate top contributors for an ACE.
Do I get anything if I'm selected for an ACE?
Yes! As an ACE achiever, you'll get a special badge that you can display with your forum rank. You may also receive occasional non-cash gifts from DIRECTV to thank you for your participation.
I'd like to be nominated for an ACE. What should I do?
It's easy - participate in the community! There are many ways you can participate. You can write posts, help out other members, answer questions, show your love for other users and just be courteous.
Do this consistently for a year and chances are good you'll qualify for a nomination. If you don't get nominated by an DIRECTV Community Manager or another user, you can still become an ACE Achiever.
Once the nomination period opens up, just give yourself a pat on the back and nominate yourself!
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Other Ranks
Administrator
These members are Full-Time, DIRECTV Employees responsible for the health, wellbeing, and usefulness of the Community Forums. They are responsible for everything on the https://forums.directv.com domain and are authorized to make official statements. Administartors can ask for sensitive details (Full Name, Telephone Number, Email, Account Number, or anything identifiable).
Moderator
These members are contracted through DIRECTV to moderate the DIRECTV Community Forums. They are responsible for enforcing guidelines, protecting customer privacy, and keeping the peace. Moderators cannot provide technical or billing support.
Employee
These members are Internal AT&T or DIRECTV Employees (Part-time, full-time, bargained, and management). They are a volunteer group of experts that share their knowledge willingly. They are not able to make official statements. Employees cannot ask for sensitive details (Full Name, Telephone Number, Email, Account Number, or anything identifiable).
Associated Member
These members are Contracted Workers, or Outside Vendors that perform a service on behalf of DIRECTV. They are a volunteer group of experts that share their knowledge willingly. They are not able to make official statements. Associated Members cannot ask for sensitive details (Full Name, Telephone Number, Email, Account Number, or anything identifiable).
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Official Users
DIRECTVhelp
This user is the Official DIRECTV Support for the Community Forums. Comprised of many individuals that all operate under the DIRECTVhelp account. They provide T1 troubleshooting, and T2 Account Specific help. Can ask for sensitive details (Full Name, Telephone Number, Email, Account Number, or anything identifiable).
Supports DIRECTV, and DIRECTV STREAM boards.
ATT or DIRECTV Users
Usernames containing "ATT" or "DIRECTV" are not allowed and are prevented during sign-up from using the DIRECTV brand. This is to prevent confusion and create clarity around Official vs. Non-Official Accounts for members.
Users with "ATT" or "DIRECTV" in their username are Official AT&T or DIRECTV Employees authorized to conduct business on behalf of the company. While generally they do not ask for sensitive details (Full Name, Telephone Number, Email, Account Number, or anything identifiable), they are allowed to in specific situations.
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