The fastest way to find all available channels on your Samsung
To scan for channels on a Samsung TV, press the Menu button on your remote, navigate to Broadcasting (or Channels on newer models), then select Auto Tuning or Channel Scan. The TV will search for all available channels in your area and add them to your channel list automatically. The scan usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how many channels are available where you live.
You do not need to do anything during the scan — just let it run. When it finishes, your TV will display a message showing how many channels were found. Those channels are now saved and ready to watch.
Key Takeaways
- Channel scan is found under Menu > Broadcasting > Auto Tuning on most Samsung models, though the exact path varies slightly by year and TV type.
- You should scan for channels after first setup, after moving to a new location, or if you notice missing channels that used to appear.
- A full scan takes 5 to 15 minutes and searches for both over-the-air broadcast channels and cable channels if you have a cable box connected.
- If the scan finds no channels, check that your antenna is connected firmly and positioned correctly, or that your cable box is powered on.
Where to find the channel scan option on your remote
Start by pressing Menu on your Samsung remote. This opens the main settings screen. From there, look for an option labeled Broadcasting, Channels, or Tuner — the exact name depends on your TV model and the year it was made.
Once you open that section, you should see Auto Tuning, Channel Scan, or Tune Channels. Select that option and the scan will begin. On some older Samsung models, you may need to go through Setup instead of Broadcasting, but the process is the same.
What happens during the channel scan
When you start the scan, your TV searches through all available radio frequencies in your area to find broadcast signals. It locks onto each signal it finds and saves that channel to your list. The progress bar on your screen shows how far through the search it has gone.
The scan works for both over-the-air antenna channels and cable channels. If you have a cable box connected to your TV, the scan will find cable channels as well as broadcast channels. If you have only an antenna, it will find only broadcast channels in your area.
When the scan is complete, your TV displays the total number of channels found. Press OK or Done to save the results. Your new channel list is now active, and you can browse channels using the up and down arrows on your remote.
When you should run a channel scan
Run a channel scan when you first set up your Samsung TV, before you watch anything. This populates your channel list with all the channels available in your area.
Scan again if you move to a new location. Different cities and regions have different broadcast channels available, so a scan in your new home will find the channels that actually broadcast there.
You should also scan if you notice that channels you used to watch are no longer in your list, or if you hear that new channels have launched in your area. Occasionally, broadcasters add or remove channels, and a fresh scan will catch those changes.
Troubleshooting when the scan finds no channels
If the scan completes but shows zero channels found, the most common cause is a loose or missing antenna connection. Check the back of your TV where the antenna cable connects. The connector should be hand-tight — you should not be able to turn it further by hand, but it should not require a tool either. Disconnect it, inspect the connector for bent pins or corrosion, and reconnect it firmly.
If you are using an over-the-air antenna, move it to different positions in your room and run the scan again. Antenna placement affects signal strength, and moving it even a few feet can make the difference between finding channels and finding none. If you have a cable box, make sure it is powered on and that the cable line is connected to both the wall outlet and the back of the box.
If you still find no channels after checking connections and antenna position, your area may have very few broadcast channels available, or your antenna may not be strong enough to receive signals where you live. In that case, a cable or satellite subscription is usually the only way to get a full channel list.
How to manage your channel list after scanning
After the scan completes, you can customize your channel list by hiding channels you do not watch or reordering channels to put your favorites first. Press Menu, go to Broadcasting or Channels, and look for Edit Channel List or Manage Channels.
From there, you can mark channels as Favorite, Hide, or Delete. Hiding a channel removes it from your regular channel list but keeps it in a separate hidden list in case you want it back later. Deleting a channel removes it entirely, though a new scan will find it again.
You can also use the Favorite feature to create a shorter list of channels you actually watch. Once you mark channels as favorites, you can press a button on your remote (usually labeled Fav or Favorites) to jump between only those channels instead of scrolling through your entire list.
Scanning for channels on Samsung Smart TV models
Samsung Smart TVs use the same channel scan process as standard Samsung TVs, but the menu path may be slightly different depending on the year and model. On newer Smart TVs, the option is often under Menu > Settings > Broadcasting > Auto Tuning.
Some very recent Samsung models have moved the option to Menu > All Settings > Broadcasting > Channel Scan. If you cannot find it in Broadcasting, check under Channels or Tuner. The function is the same regardless of where it is located — it scans for and saves all available channels in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my saved channels if I run a channel scan again?
A new scan overwrites your previous channel list with the new results. If you have customized your list by hiding or deleting channels, those changes will be lost. Before running a new scan, write down any channels you have hidden so you can hide them again afterward if needed.
Why does my channel scan take so long?
The scan searches through every available frequency in your area, which can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on how many channels broadcast in your region. Urban areas with many channels take longer than rural areas with fewer channels. The TV cannot speed this up — it has to check every frequency to make sure it does not miss any channels.
Can I stop a channel scan once it has started?
Yes. Press the Back or Exit button on your remote to cancel the scan. Your TV will keep whatever channels it found before you stopped it. If you want a complete list, you will need to run the scan again from the beginning.
What is the difference between auto tuning and manual tuning?
Auto tuning (channel scan) searches all frequencies automatically and saves every channel it finds. Manual tuning lets you enter a specific channel number to search for one channel at a time. Use auto tuning to build your full channel list, and manual tuning only if you are looking for a specific channel that the auto scan missed.
Do I need to scan again if I get a new cable box?
Yes. Run a channel scan after connecting a new cable box to your TV. The new box may carry different channels or a different channel lineup than your old one, so a fresh scan ensures your TV has the correct list for your new equipment.