Popular Freeview box receives upgrade that fixes bug wreaking havoc on Netflix

A POPULAR Freeview box has received a key upgrade which looks set to fix a bug affecting a slew of features.

Manhattan released the software update for its T4-R and T4 Freeview boxes.

The latest version – 2.06 – will finally fix a long-standing standby mode issue that has affected a number of users.

The update, which began rolling out this week, addresses numerous stability issues while fixing compatibility problems with popular streaming apps and improving recording reliability on the T4-R.

If you’ve been using Energy Saver mode as a workaround to avoid the standby problems, you can now safely switch back to Sleep or Smart standby modes without fear of your box becoming unresponsive.

The upgrade comes after households were warned of widespread Freeview disruption this week that could make their TVs stop working properly.

Viewers may switch on their telly to find a black, pixelated or flickering screen as a result of planned engineering works.

Some 87 areas are expected to be affected, according to Freeview.

Freeview has urged households that the disruption is only temporary and to not retune their TV.

“If you are affected by engineering work, please don’t try and retune your TV – reception will be restored as soon as the engineering work is completed,” the company said.

“Occasionally, routine engineering work is required on transmitters in order to improve terrestrial TV services.

“While every effort is made to minimise the impact on viewers, this can cause temporary disruption to reception.”

If you don’t want to miss your favourite TV shows while the work is taking place, Freeview has suggested households check out its online TV guide.

The Freeview Channel Checker tells viewers what changes are taking place that may affect their service and viewing.

To use it, simply enter your postcode to see what will be affected.

If you have a hybrid or smart TV, you can watch uninterrupted TV during the engineering works via the Freeview app or website.

While Freeview typically requires an aerial, you can access many Freeview channels and on-demand content through streaming apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and All 4. 

If you’re not sure what transmitter you’re predicted to get your signal from, put your postcode into Freeview’s Detailed Transmitter Information tool to check.