Scan for channels from an antenna or cable box on your Samsung TV (2024)

Over the air (OTA) programming has come a long way - instead of static, most local stations now broadcast in HD! And to make things even better, your TV has a tuner that can scan for and automatically program local channels that will appear on your channel list. Plus, an antenna will help your TV find even more channels and improve the quality of the signal.

For more information about accessible content on your Samsung TV, check out Channel Guides on your Samsung TV.

Connect a cable or antenna and scan for channels

Important: The Broadcasting menu will be greyed out if you do not first change the source to TV.

Channels and broadcasts just don't magically appear on your TV. You have to connect an antenna or cable and then scan for local stations. Once you do this, available channels nearby will be yours to watch!

First, make sure you have anantennaor a cable box already installed and set up to go. You may need to attach a coax cable to the antenna or box if it doesn't come with one.
When you're ready, connect the other end of the coax cable to the ANT IN port on the back of your TV, or One Connect Box if you have one.
Change the source on your TV toTV.There are a few ways to do this.
You can press the Source button on your remote and then select the source labeledTV.

You can pressHome,navigate to Menu,and then select Connected Devices. From here you can select which source your TV is connected to.
Once you are on the TV source, use the directional pad or arrow buttons on your remote to selectSettings (All Settings).
SelectBroadcasting, and then selectAuto Program.

See Also
Channel Guides on your Samsung TV Manual Retuning - to restore reception or missing channels How to set up your TV | Samsung TV Setup | Samsung UK Samsung TV Plus – Stream Live TV for Free | Samsung US
SelectStartto begin auto-programming, and then select eitherAir,Cable, or Both.
SelectAirif you are using an antenna only.

Select Cable if you are using a cable box only.

SelectBothif you are using an antenna and a cable box. You will get the most channels this way.
Your TV will begin to scan for channels. After it's done, selectCloseto finish.

If you aren't getting a good signal or see an error message on your TV, check out our troubleshooting guide.

Get more channels with Samsung TV Plus

If you're already bored of all the channels that come with cable or an antenna - or maybe you don't have either set up - you can get free TV using Samsung TV Plus! This service is complimentary on all newer Samsung smart TVs and streams channels over the internet directly to your TV.

To access this feature, you simply need to press the Home button on your remote and then select Samsung TV Plus. You can learn more about the service by checking out our complete Samsung TV Plus guide.

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Scan for channels from an antenna or cable box on your Samsung TV (2024)

FAQs

How do I get my Samsung TV to recognize my cable box? ›

Connect your cable or satellite box and other devices to your Samsung TV

Navigate to Settings > General > External Device Manager.
Select UHD HDMI Color (Input Signal Plus).
You'll see a list of the HDMI ports on your TV. Select the HDMI port that you are going to connect (or have connected) a 4K device to.

Read On ›

Why is my Samsung TV not finding channels? ›

Finding a specific channel may be difficult if there is ongoing signal construction in a nearby area, or if the digital broadcast signal is weak. This is not an issue with your TV. If the symptom persists, please contact your service provider.

Discover More Details ›

Why is my Samsung TV not picking up my antenna? ›

First, I would suggest checking the connection status of your antenna and making sure it is properly plugged in. If that doesn't work, try running the Auto Tuning function on your TV. If the issue persists, you can try changing the connected device to TV.

How do I get local channels on my Samsung smart TV? ›

Once you are on the TV source, use the directional pad or arrow buttons on your remote to select Settings (All Settings). Select Broadcasting, and then select Auto Program. Select Start to begin auto-programming, and then select either Air, Cable, or Both. Select Air if you are using an antenna only.

See Details ›

How do I get my TV to recognize my antenna? ›

This can be done by turning on your TV (if you haven't already) and selecting the antenna option instead of the cable option, which can be found in the advanced options section of the menu in most TVs. Then, simply start the scanning process and let the antenna do its job.

Find Out More ›

How do I get my Samsung TV to recognize the source? ›

Press the Home button on your remote control and navigate to Settings > Support.

Select Device Care.
Select Self Diagnosis.
Select HDMI Troubleshooting from the menu.
Check the connected HDMI ports in sequential order.
Note: The menu navigation path may vary depending on the TV model.

Tell Me More ›

Why won't my Samsung TV detect a device? ›

Check that your game console or Laptop/PC is powered on and properly connected to your Samsung TV. Make sure that your Laptop/PC is not in Sleep or Hibernate mode. If you connected an external device to the HDMI 1 port on the back of your TV, make sure that the source in the TV settings is also set as HDMI 1.

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Why is my cable box not sending a signal to my TV? ›

Perform a power reset of your TV, and then make sure the correct input is selected on your TV. Check the cable coming into your home (building) that connects to your cable box. Make sure it's secure and in good condition. Also, check for splitters or other devices connected to the cable going to your cable box.

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Why is my TV not picking up antenna channels? ›

The signal could be lost in the coaxial cable distribution.

If you are using a splitter, this could also weaken signal strength. Try disconnecting the splitter and running the cable directly into the TV/converter box and run a channel scan. If reception improves, a distribution amplifier is likely to be the solution.

Why are no channels found after scanning? ›

Reposition your HD antenna higher or lower. Move it away from objects that can block your signal or move it closer to a window. Make sure that the coaxial cable is securely connected to both the "RF" input on the back of your TV and to your external live TV source. Try scanning for channels again.

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How do I manually add channels to my Samsung TV? ›

1 Press the Home button on your remote control and then head to Settings.
2 Navigate to All Settings.
3 Choose Broadcasting then Expert Settings. ...
4 Select Manual Scan.
5 Choose Digital Channel Tuning.
6 Select the channel number you would like to search for and the frequency you would like to tune in, then Search.

Jul 22, 2024

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Why does my Samsung Smart TV say no signal source? ›

Answer: The 'No Signal or Weak Signal' error message means that your TV is connected to a source (like a device, antenna, or cable), but it's not getting a good enough signal from that source to display properly. Check all cables connecting the devices to the TV and ensure they're firmly plugged in.

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How do I scan for network on Samsung TV? ›

To the check the network status:

Press the Home button on your TV remote.
Navigate to Menu > Settings and select it using your remote.
Select All Settings.
Select Connection.
Select Network.
Select Network Status.

Get More Info Here ›