Order your DISH service and equipment
When you sign up for DISH, let the rep know you intend to self-install. DISH can send everything you need.
What you need
- DISH Network satellite dish
- Receiver/DVR (Hopper Duo, Hopper with Sling, Hopper 3, or Wally)
- Power cable
- Coaxial cable
- DISH installation guide/setup instructions
- DISH documentation (privacy policy, terms and conditions, warranties, etc.)
- Pre-paid labels and instructions (if you need to return something)
Self-installing DISH Network TV service
Don’t feel bad if you don’t have the skills to self-install DISH in your home. We can’t even do it. But if you think you can handle it, these are the major steps.
- Mount the DISH satellite on your home (typically on the roof), ensuring it has a clear view of the southern sky. Or mount the dish on a freestanding pole aimed at the unobstructed southern sky.
- Attach coaxial cable to dish.
- Choose where you want the cable to enter your home (it may require drilling a hole).
- Run the cable from the DISH into your home.
- Attach the cable to your receiver/DVR.
- Attach HDMI cable to receiver and TV.
- Connect the receiver/DVR to your home Wi-Fi network.
- Activate the receiver/DVR.
Activating your DISH TV receiver/DVR
Now that you’ve completed self-installation, all you have to do is activate your service.
- Online: Log into your MyDISH account and follow the prompts.
- Phone: Call DISH (1-800-333-3474) to activate your receiver/DVR with a tech support agent.
- TV: Connect your DISH receiver/DVR to the internet. It may activate automatically. Follow any prompts.
- DISH Anywhere mobile app: Log into DISH Anywhere. Tap Profile > Settings > My Receivers and select the receiver you want to activate.
Professional installation vs. self-installation
Again, professional installation is the way to go. Let someone else climb up on your roof and do the work. After all, it’s free if you pass DISH’s credit check (otherwise, it’s $199). And when the tech finishes his work, they’ll activate your service and hand you a DISH voice remote so you can get down to serious couch business.