How to retune a set-top box or recorder

Recorders keep stale channels unless the list is cleared first. Strong's auto scan clears it for you; Beyonwiz has a Clear before scan switch; Topfield needs Reset Service List run first.

Which box do you have?

Check the brand on the front of the box.

Before you start

• Plug the antenna lead into the socket marked ANT, RF IN, AIR or Antenna on the TV itself. If the antenna only goes into a set-top box or Fetch box, the TV's own tuner will find nothing.
• Switch the TV to its TV, Live TV or Antenna source first. On many brands the tuning menu is greyed out while an HDMI input is selected.
• If a masthead or distribution amplifier is fitted, make sure its power supply is plugged in and switched on.
• Leave the country set to Australia and, where asked, choose your state or region. A wrong country or region scrambles the channel numbers or finds nothing.
• Choose Antenna, Aerial, Air, Terrestrial or DVB-T when asked. Never choose Cable, DVB-C or Satellite: Australian free-to-air is terrestrial only.
• Choose DTV or Digital only. Analogue TV ended in Australia in 2013; scanning for it doubles the time and finds nothing.
• Look up the RF channel numbers your transmitter uses first, so you can tell whether the scan found the right transmitter.

After tuning

• Check the channel list: you should see the main channels at 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10 (or 5, 6 and 8 in most regional areas) with their multichannels behind them.
• Channels at 350 to 399 are duplicates from a second transmitter. Delete them or hide them; the copies at the normal numbers are the strongest signal.
• If a Fetch box or recorder is connected, retune it separately; it has its own tuner.

If it didn't work

The tuning or Broadcasting menu is greyed out

The TV is on an HDMI or app input. The tuner menu only unlocks on the TV/Antenna source. Press Source or Input, choose TV, Live TV or Antenna, then open the menu again.

The scan finishes but some networks are missing

One multiplex is arriving too weak, or the antenna suits the wrong band (VHF versus UHF) for your transmitter. Compare the channels found with the list for your suburb. If one network's RF channel is missing, retune once more; if it is still missing the antenna, cable or connectors need checking on the roof.

Channels appear twice, or at numbers like 350 to 399

The antenna is receiving two transmitters that both claim the same channel numbers. Only one can keep each number; the weaker copy is pushed into the 350 to 399 range set aside for duplicates. Delete or hide the 350 to 399 copies. If the wrong transmitter won, clear the channel list and use manual tuning with the RF channels of the transmitter you want.

No channels found at all

No signal reaching the tuner: antenna lead not connected to the TV, amplifier unpowered, damaged cable, or Cable/Satellite chosen instead of Antenna. Check the lead goes into the TV's antenna socket, the amplifier power supply is on, and the tuner mode is Antenna. If the TV's signal screen shows nothing, the fault is outside the TV.

Channels are in the wrong order or have odd numbers

Country or region set incorrectly during setup. Set the country to Australia (and your state where asked), then run a full rescan.

Channels disappear again a few minutes or days later

Retail or demo mode on Samsung TVs wipes settings, or the signal is marginal and drops out in weather. Set the TV to Home mode. If the signal is marginal, the antenna system needs attention rather than another retune.

Picture pixelates or freezes on some channels only

Marginal signal on one multiplex: water in the cable or connectors, a tired amplifier, or the antenna moved in wind. Retuning will not fix a weak signal. Note which RF channel is affected and book an inspection.

Free TV Australia assigns the channel numbers. When a scan receives the same service from two transmitters, only one signal can occupy each number; the other is stored at 350 to 399. This is not a fault with the TV or the broadcaster.

If channels are still missing, the antenna may be aimed at the wrong transmitter. How to read the antenna direction results

Other brands

• Samsung
• LG
• Sony
• Hisense
• TCL
• Panasonic
• Philips
• Kogan
• Soniq
• Bauhn (ALDI)
• Hitachi
• Linsar
• Teac
• JVC
• CHiQ
• FFalcon
• Sharp
• Toshiba
• Fetch TV (Mini, Mini 4K, Mighty)