What Is IKS? A Plain Guide to IKS Renewal for Satellite Receivers
IKS is a service your satellite receiver uses over the internet, and it runs for a fixed period before it needs a renewal. Here is what it is, what a renewal does, and what to check first.
If you own a Starsat, Geant, Tiger or similar satellite receiver, you have probably seen the word IKS in its menu or on the box. Many people renew it every year without knowing what it is. This guide explains it in plain words, so you know what you are paying for and what to check when something stops working.
What IKS means
IKS stands for Internet Key Sharing. Your receiver still gets its picture from the dish, the same as before. The difference is that the receiver also connects to a server over the internet, and that server is what the plan gives you access to.
So an IKS receiver needs two things at the same time: a dish pointed at the right satellite, and a working internet connection. If either one is missing, the channels on the plan will not open.
IKS is not IPTV
The two get confused all the time.
- IKS: picture comes from the dish. Internet is used only for the small server connection, so even a slow line is usually enough.
- IPTV: picture comes over the internet. No dish is needed, but you need a faster and steadier connection.
Our longer comparison is here: IPTV vs satellite server (IKS).
What an IKS renewal does
An IKS plan runs for a fixed period, such as 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. When the period ends, the server stops answering your receiver and the plan's channels go dark. A renewal starts a new period on the same receiver.
Nothing is installed and nobody needs to visit you. The renewal is tied to your receiver's Serial Number (SN), and once it is activated on the server side your receiver picks it up through the internet.
Which brand is your receiver on?
IKS is not one single service. Each receiver family uses its own server brand, and a renewal for one brand does not work on another. The brands we supply are:
Your receiver's server menu shows which brand it uses. If you cannot tell, send us a photo of that menu and we will confirm it.
What you need before you renew
- The serial number. It is in the receiver menu under System or STB Information. See how to find your serial number.
- The right plan for your satellite. Each plan lists the satellites it covers. A plan for 7W will not open channels on 68E.
- The duration. Longer plans cost less per month. A short plan is a sensible first step if you are new to the brand.
How renewal works on Playrix Sky
- Open your brand's page and pick the plan and duration.
- Enter your serial number on the plan page.
- Pay at checkout.
- We activate the plan on your serial number.
The full walkthrough is in how to renew your IKS plan step by step.
If channels do not open after renewal
Most problems after a renewal come from the receiver's side, not the plan. Check these in order:
- Is the receiver connected to the internet? Test the network in the receiver menu.
- Is the dish signal good on the satellite you are watching?
- Is the receiver software up to date?
- Restart the receiver once after activation.
More detail is in IKS channels stopped working: check these four things first.
A note on what we can promise
We are a dealer. We supply the original plan from the provider and activate it on your receiver. Channel line-ups and server behaviour are set by the provider and can change. That is why we ask you to check your satellite and receiver before you order, and why an activated plan is final. If a plan you paid for cannot be activated at all, you get a full refund, as written in our Refund Policy.
Ready to renew? Start from the satellite servers page, or message us on WhatsApp with your receiver model and satellite and we will point you to the right plan.