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No TV Signal? How to Troubleshoot Your TV Antenna Problems

  Have you ever been watching your favorite sitcom when you suddenly discover there is no TV signal? It’s a total nightmare. Unfortunately, this happens every day in millions of households all over the world.

  Even with all the amazing tech available in the world today, you might be surprised to learn that tons of people still use an antenna for their TV rather than upgrading to cable service. They might be saving money, but they are often at risk of missing out on their favorite shows.

  If you can relate to this, there’s no reason to panic. Let’s take look at some great troubleshooting tips that will help ensure that you don’t miss a single minute of programming.

  No TV Signal? How to Troubleshoot Your TV Antenna Problems

  Here are some troubleshooting tips for your antenna when you have no signal.

  Adjust the Antenna

  The reality with an antenna is that some days are simply better than others. Good reception can come and go like a change in the weather. And you often lose the TV signal at the worst possible moment.?

  Television waves are a bit of a mystery to most of us, and as with anything that’s mysterious, they can often become wonky for reasons that aren’t obvious.?

  The next time you’re experiencing reception problems, trying making an adjustment to the antennae before resorting to more complicated troubleshooting options. Perhaps change the direction it’s facing or shift the angle. If the antenna has rabbit ears, move the arms around to see if that helps the picture improve.

  Sometimes the smallest adjustment can have a huge impact on picture quality.

  Move the Antenna

  Once you’ve made some adjustments to the antenna, if reception still hasn’t improved, try moving it to a different location. Again, television waves are a mysterious phenomenon, thus most of the time there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to why good reception comes and goes.

  It can often make a difference placing an antenna near a window. Or even just moving it away from a wall can help. After all, walls are full of metal studs, fiberglass insulation, and electrical wiring that can interfere with reception.

  Moving the television to another part of the room might be a logistical issue due to the length of the coaxial cable. So you might need to purchase a coaxial extender. These can be found at any electronics store and are simple to install.

  When moving the TV to another part of the room, remember to take into consideration the location of the nearest towers so that you can maximize reception.?

  Scan for Channels

  Once you’ve made adjustments to the antennae and TV, go to the setting directory on the TV and scan for channels. This process will take a few minutes and will automatically search for the clearest channels the antenna is able to pick up.

  Double-Rescan

  Double-rescan is a process designed by the FCC to erase previously programmed channels from your digital TV’s memory. Doing this enables you to make a fresh start and program into memory only those channels your antenna is now able to pick up.

  Make Sure the Antenna Isn’t Near Other Electronics

  It’s important to keep in mind that it doesn’t take much to interfere with television reception. Common items like radios, handheld video games, cell phones, gaming consoles, DVD players, and cables boxes can easily contribute to poor reception.

  Remember that any electronics and metal objects can cause interference.

  It’s best to place your antenna in the space behind your TV or atop an entertainment center where it’s both clear of obstructions and hidden from view.

  Try an Amplified Antenna

  Another type of technology that’s available for improving reception for digital TVs and digital converter boxes in an amplification box. Most of the more expensive antenna models offer some type of amplification features.

  An amplified antenna functions much like attaching a nozzle to a garden hose in order to widen the spray.

  This type of hardware is more expensive than a standard antenna, but the one-time cost is still substantially less than paying a monthly cable bill. And keep in the mind that enjoying improved reception is certainly worth the price.

  Get a New Antenna

  Once you’ve tried every other option, you might ultimately discover that your antenna is the problem. They tend to get knocked around, the wiring becomes faulty, or there might be a weak point where the coaxial cable connects.

  Another solution to consider is investing in an outdoor antenna. This is especially true if you’ve been using an indoor antenna for some time yet reception has never improved.

  Outdoor antennas are typically larger, can be mounted on the roof of your home or on a pole in the backyard, and are able to pick up television signals more clearly because they are elevated.

  Although outdoor antennas are more expensive, you’ll find the added expense to be a minor inconvenience when you consider the improved reception.?

  One thing to keep in mind with outdoor antennas is that they are exposed to bad weather conditions, so be sure to consider having your antenna installation done by a professional.

  Easy Breezy Troubleshooting Tips

  Dealing with no TV signal can be a major headache. That’s why learning what to do if your TV stops picking up channels is important so that you don’t risk losing reception when it matters most.

  When you experience your antenna connection not working, it can be frustrating, yet these simple tips can help you get back to watching your favorite program in no time.

  You’d be surprised how many people still choose to save money using an antenna to watch television rather than pay steep cable or satellite TV bills. After all, smart consumers are always looking for ways to cut spending, and antennas have proven to be a reliable way to enjoy TV for decades.

  Click here to see 7 apps all parents should use to keep their teens safe.

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