The right way to connect DStv Explora to WiFi depends on which Explora is under your TV. The older boxes need an add-on adapter or a cable, while the Explora Ultra has WiFi inside. Here's how each model gets online, written for Langebaan homes where routers, rentals and lock-up-and-go units change all the time.
Quick answer: The original Explora, the second model and the 3A or 3B all need the DStv WiFi Connector or a network cable. The Explora Ultra has built-in WiFi, so you pick your network in its settings. On any model, finish with the Connectivity Checker to confirm you managed to connect your DStv Explora to WiFi.
First, work out which Explora you own
You don't need to open anything. Turn the decoder around or tip it gently and look for the label with the model name. Your original paperwork or the MyDStv app may show it too.
- Explora Ultra: the newest box, 4K capable, with streaming apps and WiFi built in.
- Explora 3A or 3B: a compact box that DStv lists as connecting via the WiFi Connector or an Ethernet cable.
- Older Explora models: the first and second generation boxes, which also rely on the connector or a cable.
If you're weighing up an upgrade, our post on Explora prices and hidden costs covers what each box costs to put in.
Model by model: how each Explora gets online
| Model | WiFi built in? | Ways to get online | Extra you may need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Explora | No | WiFi Connector or cable | Connector and dock, or a long cable |
| Explora 2 | No | WiFi Connector or cable | Connector and dock, or a long cable |
| Explora 3A and 3B | No | WiFi Connector or Ethernet cable | Connector and dock, or a long cable |
| Explora Ultra | Yes | Built-in WiFi or cable | Nothing, just your password |
DStv's own minimums are the same for all of them: about 2Mbps for downloads, 4Mbps for SD streaming and 10Mbps for HD. An uncapped line is recommended, which matters if your lagoon flat runs on a small LTE bundle. If the box has been unplugged for months, our tips on reconnecting DStv after a break help first.
Connect a DStv Explora 1 or 2 to WiFi with the connector
These earlier models use the DStv WiFi connector for Explora decoders. If your router has a WPS button, DStv describes a quick pairing method that skips typing a password.
- Check the router is online by browsing on your phone.
- Place the connector beside the decoder, not on top of it.
- Plug the connector's power cable into a USB port at the back of the Explora.
- Wait for the front light on the connector to glow white.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to pair with the router using WPS.
No WPS button on your router?
Use the docking station instead. Slot the connector into the dock, plug the dock into a back USB port, and the set-up wizard opens on its own. Pick your network, press OK twice, and enter the password with the keypad or press ALT for an onscreen keyboard.
Connect your DStv Explora 3A or 3B to WiFi
DStv's comparison page lists the same two options for both 3A and 3B: the WiFi Connector or an Ethernet cable. So the docking station steps above work exactly the same on these boxes.
If the router sits in the lounge, skip the connector. A cable into the green Ethernet port on the Explora is DStv's most stable option, because other gadgets can't interfere with it. Our decoder setup and configuration service can do this for you.
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Connect your DStv Explora Ultra to WiFi without extra kit
The Ultra is the easy one. There's no adapter and no dock, so you simply open its network settings, choose your WiFi name and type the password. A cable still works if the router is close by, and it's the steadier choice for 4K.
The Ultra also runs streaming apps, so it leans on the internet far more than older models. If the lounge WiFi is patchy, our WiFi and network installation team can add a mesh point or run a neat cable.
Good to know: If you're asking how to connect DStv Explora to TV first, every model uses an HDMI cable from the decoder to the TV. Get the picture working before you start on the internet side.
Langebaan conditions that trip up every model
Lock-up-and-go units in Club Mykonos and Mykonos often have the router switched off at the wall when the owners leave. The decoder then sits offline until someone notices Catch Up has gone quiet.
Rental homes in Myburgh Park, Country Club and Long Acres change tenants and internet providers regularly. Each new router usually brings a new network name and password, so the Explora loses the link and needs the set-up run again.
Technician tip: The summer south-easter blows fine sand into everything. Keep the docking station and router off the floor near sliding doors, and wipe their vents now and then so they don't overheat and drop out.
Out in Saldanha and on farm plots towards Paternoster, the router can be a long way from the TV. That's where a cable or point-to-point link beats any adapter. Our notes on DStv for holiday rentals cover getting a rental ready between guests.
Check the connection on any Explora
- Press Help on the remote, choose Tools, then Connectivity Checker.
- Look for two green ticks: router connection and internet connection.
- Press the blue DStv button and go to Settings, User Preferences, Connected Services.
- Switch on the features you want, since they're off by default.
Safety first: Don't climb onto the roof or a ladder to look at the dish, and never open the decoder. Switch off at the wall before you unplug anything from a crowded multiplug.
Want us to set it up?
If the checker still fails after you've rerun the set-up twice, call a technician. Our DStv Explora installation service handles every model, and our DStv installation in Langebaan team covers the whole lagoon area.
Contact our local team for a quote. We price the job before we drive out and test everything with you before we leave.
Talk to our Langebaan team
We work across Langebaan, Myburgh Park, Mykonos, Country Club, Long Acres and nearby. Call or WhatsApp us and we will tell you the practical next step.
Connect DStv Explora to WiFi: FAQs
Does the Explora Ultra have built-in WiFi?
Yes. The Explora Ultra has WiFi built in, so it doesn't need the DStv WiFi Connector. You choose your network in its settings and type the password, or plug in a network cable if the router is close.
Can the Explora 3B connect to WiFi without the connector?
Not over the air. DStv lists the WiFi Connector or an Ethernet cable as the two ways to get a 3A or 3B online. A mesh point with a network port beside the TV lets you use a cable without a long run.
Which DStv WiFi connector for Explora models do I need?
The same DStv WiFi Connector works with the older Explora models and the 3A and 3B. It comes with a docking station, which DStv suggests when the router is in another room. The Ultra doesn't need one.
How do I connect DStv Explora to WiFi in a Langebaan rental with a new router?
Rerun Connectivity Set-up, pick the new network and enter its password. On an Ultra, change the network in its settings. Then run the Connectivity Checker to confirm both green ticks.
Why can my DStv Explora connect to WiFi but Catch Up still won't load?
Connected Services is probably switched off. Press the blue DStv button and go to Settings, User Preferences, Connected Services, then turn on the features you want.