If you’ve connected a TV antenna but don’t see any local channels, your television may need to search for them first. This process is called a channel scan or automatic channel search.

A channel scan tells your TV to search for over-the-air broadcasts it can receive through your antenna and add the stations it finds to its channel list. You may also need to rescan after moving an antenna, changing your setup, or learning that a local station has changed its broadcast frequency.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to scan for antenna channels, explain which settings to select, and show you what to check if the TV finds few or no stations.

Quick answer: Connect your antenna to the TV’s antenna input, select the TV or Live TV source, open the channel settings, choose Antenna or Air, and start an automatic channel scan. Menu names vary by TV.

What you need before scanning for antenna channels

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A TV antenna connected to the television.
  • A TV with a compatible over-the-air tuner, or a compatible external tuner connected to the TV.
  • The remote for the TV—or the external tuner’s remote if the antenna connects to that device.
  • Access to the TV’s settings menu.

Most televisions sold in the United States have a built-in digital tuner, but some displays do not. If you are unsure, check your TV’s specifications for an over-the-air digital tuner and an antenna input.

Using an external tuner? If the antenna connects to a separate tuner box rather than directly to the TV, you’ll generally run the scan using the tuner’s menu and remote. Select the TV input used by the tuner, then follow the tuner manufacturer’s instructions.

You do not need an internet connection simply to receive conventional over-the-air antenna broadcasts. Some TV features, streaming channels, or program guides may use the internet.

How to scan for antenna channels

The exact menu names and order vary by TV model. The following steps describe the general process.

Step 1: Connect the antenna to your TV

Locate the round, threaded coaxial input on the back or side of your television. It may be labeled:

  • ANT IN
  • Antenna In
  • RF IN
  • Cable/Antenna

Connect the cable coming from your antenna to this input. Make sure the connector is straight and snug. Do not force or overtighten it.

If your antenna has an amplifier or power inserter, make sure its power supply is connected according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you need a replacement cable, you can compare RG-6 coaxial cables. Choose a length that reaches comfortably without pulling on the connections.

Step 2: Select the TV or Live TV source

Turn on the television and use the remote to select the source for its built-in tuner. Depending on your TV, it may be called TV, Live TV, Antenna, or something similar.

This is important because some TVs do not let you access their broadcast or channel-scan settings while you are watching an HDMI device or using an app.

For example, Samsung notes that the Broadcasting menu may be unavailable until the TV source is selected. Menu names and steps can vary by model. Samsung channel-scanning instructions

Step 3: Open the channel or broadcast settings

Press the Home, Menu, or Settings button on your remote. Look for a section such as:

  • Channels
  • Broadcasting
  • Live TV
  • Tuner
  • Antenna
  • Channel Setup

Then look for an option called Channel Scan, Auto Scan, Auto Program, Auto Tuning, or Channel Search.

Tip: If you cannot find these options, search your TV manufacturer’s support site for your model number and “antenna channel scan.” The exact menu path can change with the TV model and software.

Person using a TV remote while looking at a television and indoor antenna.

Step 4: Choose Antenna or Air—not Cable

When prompted to select the signal type, choose Antenna, Air, Broadcast, or the equivalent over-the-air option.

Do not select Cable just because your antenna uses a coaxial cable. The setting describes the type of signal you are receiving, not the shape of the cable connector.

Some TVs offer an option to scan both antenna and cable signals. For a TV connected only to an antenna, the antenna or air setting is generally the relevant choice.

Step 5: Start the scan and let it finish

Select Start, Scan, Search, or the equivalent option.

The TV will search for receivable stations and add the channels it finds. The process can take several minutes, depending on the TV. Let it finish before exiting the menu or changing the antenna connection.

Important: On some TVs, an automatic scan replaces the existing channel list with the channels found during the new scan. If you rely on a weak station, note its current reception before moving the antenna or rescanning. Samsung explains this behavior for its Auto Program feature.

Step 6: Check the channels you want to watch

When the scan finishes, open the channel list or use the channel-up and channel-down buttons to check several stations.

Don’t judge the setup only by the total number of channels found. A smaller number of reliable channels may be more useful than a longer list containing stations that freeze or break up.

Check the stations that matter to you, and if possible, test them again at a different time of day.

When should you rescan your TV antenna channels?

Consider running another scan when:

  • You connect a TV antenna for the first time.
  • You move or significantly reposition the antenna.
  • You move to a different home or location.
  • A station announces that it has changed its broadcast frequency.
  • You make a meaningful change to the antenna connection, splitter, or amplifier.
  • A channel that previously worked is missing, after you have checked for a local station issue and verified your connections.

The FCC notes that viewers using an antenna may need to rescan when a local station changes frequency. FCC rescan guidance

Remember that rescanning finds signals the TV can receive at that time. A scan cannot, by itself, repair a weak antenna signal or bring in a station that is not reaching the antenna.

What if the scan finds no channels?

If your TV finds zero channels, start with the simplest checks:

  1. Confirm the correct signal setting. Run the scan with Antenna or Air selected, not Cable.
  2. Check the antenna cable. Make sure it is connected to the TV’s antenna input and is snug at both ends where applicable.
  3. Check antenna power. If your antenna uses an amplifier, verify that its power supply and connections match the manufacturer’s instructions.
  4. Try a different antenna position. For an indoor antenna, a window or exterior wall may be a useful starting point.
  5. Test a direct connection. If practical, temporarily connect the antenna directly to one TV, bypassing unnecessary splitters and cable runs. Follow the equipment instructions if your antenna amplifier receives power through the coaxial cable.
  6. Scan again after making a change. A new station may not appear in the channel list until the TV performs another scan.

If you use an external tuner, make sure the antenna is connected to the tuner’s antenna input and that you are scanning through the tuner—not through the TV’s separate channel-scan menu.

For more help choosing and positioning an antenna, see our Over-the-Air TV Antenna Guide.

What if the scan finds some channels but others are missing?

A partial channel list can result from antenna placement, distance, terrain, building materials, cable loss, or the frequencies used by local stations. A TV antenna that receives one group of stations well may have trouble with another.

Try these steps:

  1. Check whether the missing station is expected to be available at your address.
  2. Verify that your antenna supports the bands used by the stations you want, including VHF and UHF where needed.
  3. Move or turn an indoor antenna in small increments, then scan again.
  4. Check the cable and any splitter for loose or damaged connections.
  5. Compare reception with the antenna connected directly to one TV, if practical.

Keep track of the antenna position that gives you the most reliable reception for your important stations. For more detailed guidance, read How to Aim an Over-the-Air TV Antenna for the Most Channels.

An amplifier may help in some installations, particularly where a usable signal is weakened by cable or splitter loss. It is not a guaranteed fix, and too much amplification can make reception worse. Learn more in Do You Need an Antenna Amplifier?

You can also compare indoor VHF/UHF TV antennas. Before buying, check the antenna’s supported bands and consider the reception conditions at your address.

Why is the channel-scan option grayed out?

If you can see the channel-scan option but cannot select it, check the following:

  • You may be on the wrong source. Switch from an HDMI input or streaming app to the TV’s built-in TV or Live TV source.
  • Your antenna may not be connected to the TV’s tuner input. Check the coaxial connection.
  • You may be using an external tuner. If so, open that device’s settings and scan using its remote.
  • Your TV’s menus may use different names. Consult the manual or support page for your exact model.

Avoid performing a factory reset as a first step. A reset can change or erase settings and is usually unnecessary for a routine channel scan.

Do you need to scan every TV separately?

Generally, yes. If one antenna feeds multiple TVs through a splitter, each TV using its own built-in tuner normally needs its own channel scan.

One TV may find a station that another misses because the cable lengths, connections, splitter losses, or tuner sensitivity differ. If that happens, compare the two cable paths and test the affected TV directly when practical.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to scan for channels with a new TV antenna?

Usually, yes. After connecting an antenna to the TV’s built-in tuner, run a channel scan so the TV can find and store available stations.

Will a channel scan erase my old channels?

It can. Some TVs replace the existing channel list with the results of the new scan. Check your TV’s instructions if you are concerned about losing a weak channel that currently works.

Does scanning for antenna channels require internet?

No. The TV can scan for conventional over-the-air broadcasts without an internet connection. Some smart TV features and streaming channels may require internet access.

Why did I lose a channel after rescanning?

The TV may not have received a usable signal from that station during the scan. Check the antenna’s position and connections, find out whether the station has reported a transmission issue or frequency change, and scan again when appropriate.

Can I scan for antenna channels using a universal remote?

You may be able to if the remote can open and navigate your TV’s settings menu. If the antenna connects to an external tuner, you may need the tuner’s remote instead.

Should I buy an amplifier if my TV finds only a few channels?

Not automatically. First check the antenna placement, supported frequency bands, cables, and connections. An amplifier can help with certain signal-loss problems, but it cannot fix every reception issue.

The bottom line

To scan for antenna channels, connect the antenna to the correct input, select the TV’s antenna source, open its channel settings, choose Antenna or Air, and allow the automatic scan to finish.

If channels are missing, check the signal setting and connections first. Then experiment with antenna placement and rescan after meaningful changes. Reception varies by location, so focus on finding a setup that reliably delivers the stations you want.

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