What a Channel Scan Does and When to Run One
A channel scan tells your Samsung TV to search for all available broadcast channels in your area and add them to your channel list. When you run a scan, the TV tunes through the entire frequency range, detects each station it finds, and saves it so you can flip between channels using your remote. You need to do this after you first set up the TV, after you move to a new location, or if you notice channels have disappeared from your list.
The scan takes between five and fifteen minutes depending on how many channels broadcast in your area. During the scan, your screen will show a progress bar and a count of channels found. Your TV must be connected to an antenna (over-the-air broadcasts) or a cable box to find channels—a scan will not work if you only have streaming apps.
Key Takeaways
- Access the channel scan through Settings > Broadcasting > Auto Tuning on most Samsung models, though the exact menu path varies by year and model.
- Make sure your antenna or cable connection is plugged in and find before you start the scan, or the TV will find fewer channels.
- The scan will overwrite your existing channel list, so if you have custom channel arrangements, take a photo of your current list first.
- If the scan finds no channels, check that your antenna is positioned correctly and plugged into the TV's antenna port, not the HDMI port.
Finding the Channel Scan Menu on Your Remote
Press the Menu button on your Samsung remote. On most models made after 2016, this opens a menu on the left side of the screen with options like Picture, Sound, and Broadcasting. If you see a menu with those words, look for Broadcasting and select it.
Once you are in Broadcasting, look for Auto Tuning or Channel Tuning. The exact name depends on your TV's model year—some older Samsung TVs call it Tuner Setup instead. Select whichever option appears, and the TV will ask you to confirm that you want to start a new scan.
If you do not see a Broadcasting option, your TV may use a different menu structure. Try pressing Menu and looking for Settings instead, then scroll down to find Broadcasting or Tuner options. If you still cannot find it, check your TV's model number (usually on a sticker on the back) and search for "[your model number] channel scan" to find the exact steps for your year.
Preparing Your TV Before the Scan Starts
Before you select Auto Tuning, make sure your antenna cable is plugged firmly into the antenna port on the back of your TV. The antenna port is round and usually labeled "ANT IN" or "RF IN"—it is not an HDMI port. If you are using a cable box instead of an antenna, make sure the cable from the wall outlet is connected to the cable box, and the cable box is connected to your TV.
Position your antenna if you have one. If it is an indoor antenna, try moving it to a higher location or closer to a window, since broadcast signals travel better when the antenna has a clear line of sight to the broadcast tower. If you have an outdoor antenna, check that it is not loose or damaged and that the cable running from it to your TV is not pinched or bent.
Close any apps or streaming services you have open, since the scan works best when the TV is not running other tasks. You do not need to turn off the TV completely—just make sure you are on a regular TV input, not an HDMI input where a streaming device is plugged in.
Running the Scan and What to Expect
Once you have confirmed that you want to start Auto Tuning, your TV will display a progress bar and begin searching. The screen will show a number that counts up as it finds channels—this number is not your final channel count, since the TV may find the same station on multiple frequencies and will combine them later. The scan will continue automatically; you do not need to do anything while it runs.
Depending on your location, the scan can take anywhere from five to twenty minutes. Urban areas with many broadcast towers usually scan faster than rural areas. Do not unplug the TV or press buttons on the remote during the scan, as this can interrupt the process and force you to start over.
When the scan finishes, the TV will display a message saying it is complete and show the total number of channels found. Press OK or confirm the result, and your new channel list will be saved. Your TV will return to the home screen, and you can now use the channel up and down buttons to browse through the channels the scan found.
What to Do If the Scan Finds No Channels or Too Few
If the scan found zero channels, the most common cause is a loose antenna connection. Unplug the antenna cable from the back of your TV, wait five seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Then run the scan again. If you are using a cable box, make sure the cable box itself is powered on and that the cable from the wall is connected to the cable box input, not the TV input.
If the scan found some channels but you know there should be more, your antenna may need repositioning. Try moving an indoor antenna to a different location—higher up, closer to a window, or rotated to a different angle. If you have an outdoor antenna, check that the cable connection at the antenna itself is tight and that the cable is not damaged. After repositioning, run the scan again.
In rare cases, your TV's tuner may need a software update. Go to Settings > Support > Software Update and check if an update is available. If one is, install it and then run the channel scan again. If you still find no channels after trying these steps, your TV's tuner may have a hardware problem, and you may need to contact Samsung support or a technician.
Saving Your Channel List and Avoiding Common Mistakes
The channel scan automatically saves your results, so you do not need to do anything after it finishes. However, if you have spent time arranging your channels in a specific order or hiding channels you do not watch, take a photo of your current channel list before you run a new scan. A new scan will reset your channel list to the order the TV found them, and you will lose any custom arrangement.
If you want to hide channels after the scan is complete, most Samsung TVs let you do this through Settings > Broadcasting > Channel List. You can mark channels as hidden so they do not appear when you use the channel up and down buttons, but they will still be there if you type the channel number directly.
Do not run a channel scan more than once a month unless you have moved or your antenna has been disconnected. Frequent scans do not improve reception and can sometimes cause the TV to get stuck if interrupted. If you need to run a scan again, wait at least a few minutes after the previous one finished before starting a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a channel scan erase my apps or settings?
No. A channel scan only changes your channel list. Your apps, picture settings, sound settings, and all other TV settings will remain exactly as they were. The only thing that changes is which channels appear when you press the channel up and down buttons.
Can I stop a channel scan once it has started?
Yes. Press the Menu button or the back button on your remote to cancel the scan. The TV will ask you to confirm that you want to stop, and if you do, it will keep your old channel list and not save any new channels. You can then run the scan again whenever you are ready.
Why does my TV show channels I cannot actually watch?
The scan finds every frequency that broadcasts a signal, even if that signal is weak or scrambled. Some channels may be encrypted or require a cable box to decode. If you cannot watch a channel even though it appears in your list, try tuning to it directly by typing the channel number. If it still does not work, that channel may not be available in your area without a subscription.
Do I need to run a channel scan if I use a cable box?
Only if you want to watch over-the-air broadcast channels in addition to your cable channels. If you only watch cable, the cable box handles all the channel tuning, and you do not need to run a scan on the TV itself. However, if you want to watch local broadcast channels without the cable box, you will need an antenna and a channel scan.
What if my TV is too old to have an Auto Tuning option?
Very old Samsung TVs may use different menu names or locations. Look for options called Tuner Setup, Manual Tuning, or Channel Setup instead of Auto Tuning. If you cannot find any tuning option in the menu, check your TV's manual by searching for your model number online, or contact Samsung support with your model number for guidance.