OREI EX-170C, EX-165C+, and EX-230C Troubleshooting Guide – OREI

Introduction

This guide helps you troubleshoot common issues with the OREI EX-170C, EX-165C+, and EX-230C HDMI extenders. These are simple 1-to-1 HDMI extenders designed to send HDMI signals over Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable for home and professional AV setups.

Understanding the difference between EX-170C, EX-165C+, and EX-230C

The EX-170C, EX-165C+, and EX-230C share the same physical design, ports, and distance ratings. All three support up to 230 ft at 1080p@60Hz and up to 131 ft at 4K@30Hz. The difference between these models is the internal chipset and hardware.

Customers often ask which model to buy. In most use cases, all three perform the same. However, the chipset difference may affect compatibility with certain source devices or displays in edge cases. If one model does not work in a specific setup, trying another model from this family may resolve the issue.

Issue description

This article covers the most common setup and performance issues reported with the EX-170C, EX-165C+, and EX-230C, including link problems, no video, audio issues, IR control problems, 4K limitations, power concerns, and compatibility questions about Cat cable type and run length.

Signs

No link light on the transmitter or receiver
Display shows no signal or a black screen
The extender worked before, but now it has stopped passing video or audio
4K resolution is not passing, or the system is limited to 1080p
Audio is missing or intermittent
IR remote control is not working reliably
Power cable piece is missing or damaged

Basic troubleshooting steps

Confirm the source device is powered on and outputting a signal.
Verify the HDMI cables are connected securely.
Try changing the HDMI cables.
Check that the display is set to the correct input source.
Power cycle both the transmitter and receiver by unplugging them, waiting 30 seconds, and reconnecting power.
Try changing the CAT cable.

Advanced troubleshooting steps

1. No link light on transmitter or receiver

There are two LEDs on the CAT ports on the Transmitter and Receiver, Green and Yellow. The Green LED represents power and Yellow represents the signal. If the Yellow LED does not come up but the green one does, it could mean no media source is connected or the media source is not outputting a signal. So, check the media source first. If media source is confirmed to be active.

Verify T568B wiring on both ends of the Cat cable.
Try changing the CAT cable.
Use Cat 6 if available; Cat 5e is supported, but Cat 6 is recommended for better reliability.
Try a different media source if possible.
If neither unit shows a link light after trying multiple cables, the unit may be defective.

2. No video on the display

If the link light is present but there is no image on the display, the issue is often related to the source signal, HDMI cabling, or display input selection.

Try changing the HDMI cable.
Use a different media source, if possible.
Power cycle the transmitter and receiver.
Connect a display to the HDMI Output on the Transmitter and check if it works.

3. Unit worked for a period then stopped

A system that worked initially but later stopped may be affected by power, cabling, or heat buildup.

Perform a full power cycle by unplugging both transmitter and receiver, waiting 30 seconds, and reconnecting.
Check for loose HDMI or Cat cable connections.
Check for heat buildup and make sure the units have proper ventilation.
Try connecting the power adapter to a different wall outlet.
Check the status of the Green and Yellow LEDs on the CAT ports.

4. 4K resolution not passing or limited to 1080p

These extenders support 4K@30Hz up to 131 ft. Beyond 131 ft, the signal will fall back to 1080p. Cable type and source settings can also affect whether 4K passes correctly.

Verify the Cat cable run is within 131 ft for 4K operation.
Check the source device resolution settings. Confirm the source is set to 4K@30Hz and not 60Hz.
Confirm the display supports 4K.
Use Cat 6 or Cat 7 for best 4K performance; Cat 5e may limit results.

IMPORTANT: 4K@60Hz is not supported on these extenders. The maximum supported 4K resolution is 4K@30Hz up to 131 ft.

5. Audio not passing through

These extenders pass audio embedded in the HDMI signal. If audio is missing, the issue is often related to source audio settings, format compatibility, or cable quality.

Check the audio format setting on the media source.
Confirm the display supports the audio format being sent.
Power cycle the system.
If audio works on a short HDMI cable but not through the extender, try changing the CAT cable.
Try using a different media source to rule out a compatibility issue.

6. IR control not working

The extenders include one-way IR control allowing you to control the media source at the display location.

For IR to work properly the connections need to be made correctly. The IR Blaster cable will connect to the IR OUT port on the Transmitter and the IR Receiver cable would connect to the IR IN port on the Receiver unit. Place the IR Receiver cable's head near the front of the TV so it is in line of sight. Use the media source remote (not the TV's) and point to the IR Receiver head and press any button. The signal would travel back over the CAT cable to the Transmitter end and come out the IR Blaster cable. Make sure the IR Blaster head is placed near or on the IR window of the media source device you wish to control.

For help with IR connections, refer to this video:

7. Compatibility with Cat 5e

Cat 5e is supported, but Cat 6 or Cat 7 is recommended for best performance, especially for 4K signals. If you are seeing issues on Cat 5e, upgrade the cable before assuming the extender is defective.

Try Cat 6 before concluding the unit is defective.
Verify T568B termination on all Cat cable ends.

Contact support

Contact OREI support if the steps in this guide do not resolve the issue. When you reach out, it would be helpful to have some or all of the details mentioned below:

Your setup details, including the source device, display model, cable type, and cable run length
A description of the problem and the troubleshooting steps you have already tried
Your purchase invoice or order number
The model number of your extender (EX-170C, EX-165C+, or EX-230C) and connected equipment

Our support team is available via phone or email between 9 AM to 5 PM CST, Monday through Friday.

Email: info@orei.com

Phone: +1 877-290-5530

Disclaimer

This guide is intended for general troubleshooting only. Results may vary depending on source devices, displays, cable quality, installation environment, and system configuration. If you are unsure about any step, or if the unit appears damaged, stop troubleshooting and contact OREI support for assistance.