Rescanning channels finds new stations and removes ones that no longer broadcast
A channel rescan tells your Samsung TV to search your antenna or cable input for all available stations, then update the list it displays. You do this when you move to a new location, add an antenna, switch cable providers, or notice channels have gone missing. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on your TV model and how many channels broadcast in your area.
The rescan wipes your old channel list and builds a new one from scratch. If you have custom channel arrangements or favorites saved, write them down first — they will be erased. The good news: rescanning is free, requires no tools, and you can do it entirely from your remote.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Settings menu on your Samsung TV, go to Broadcasting, then select Auto Program to start a full channel rescan.
- The rescan process takes 5 to 15 minutes and will erase your existing channel list, so note any favorites before you begin.
- You must tell the TV whether you are using an antenna, cable, or satellite before it can search for channels.
- If the rescan finds no channels, check that your antenna or cable is plugged firmly into the back of the TV and that the input source is set correctly.
Access the Settings menu and select Broadcasting
Press the Menu button on your Samsung remote. On most models this button is near the center of the remote, sometimes labeled with three horizontal lines. The on-screen menu appears in the top left corner of your TV screen.
Use the arrow buttons on your remote to highlight Settings (usually at the bottom of the menu). Press Enter. A new menu opens with options like Picture, Sound, and Broadcasting. Navigate to Broadcasting and press Enter again.
Choose your signal source and start Auto Program
Inside the Broadcasting menu, you will see an option called Auto Program or sometimes Channel Scan. Before you select it, the TV may ask you to choose your signal source. Select the one that matches how you receive channels:
- Antenna — if you use an over-the-air antenna plugged into the antenna port on the back of your TV
- Cable — if you have a cable box or cable connection plugged into an HDMI port or the cable input
- Satellite — if you use a satellite dish and receiver
Once you select your source, highlight Auto Program and press Enter. A confirmation message appears asking if you want to start the scan. Select Yes to begin.
Wait for the scan to complete without interrupting it
A progress bar appears on your screen showing how far the scan has progressed. This can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on how many channels are available in your area and your TV model. Do not turn off the TV, unplug the antenna or cable, or press any buttons during the scan — interrupting it can leave your channel list incomplete or corrupted.
The TV will beep or display a message when the scan finishes. Your new channel list is now saved and ready to use. The TV returns to normal viewing, and you can begin watching channels right away.
Verify your channels and adjust the input source if needed
After the scan finishes, press the Channel Up or Channel Down button to flip through your channels and confirm the scan found stations. If you see channels you recognize, the rescan worked. If the screen is black or shows "No Signal," the TV may be looking at the wrong input source.
Press the Input or Source button on your remote (usually near the top). A menu shows all available inputs: HDMI 1, HDMI 2, TV, Antenna, etc. Make sure you are on the input where your antenna or cable is plugged in. If you use an antenna, select TV or Antenna. If you use cable, select the HDMI port your cable box is connected to, or select Cable if your TV has a dedicated cable input.
Troubleshoot if the rescan finds no channels
If the scan completes but finds zero channels, the problem is usually a loose connection or wrong input source. Walk to the back of your TV and check that your antenna or cable is pushed firmly into its port — sometimes a connection comes loose during moving or cleaning. Wiggle the connector gently to make sure it seats all the way in.
Next, verify you selected the correct signal source before the scan began. If you chose "Antenna" but your cable is plugged in, the TV will not find anything. Go back to Settings > Broadcasting > Auto Program and run the scan again, this time choosing the correct source.
If you use an antenna and still find no channels after checking the connection, try moving the antenna to a different location or angle. Antennas are sensitive to position, and a small shift can mean the difference between finding 20 channels and finding none. Wait a few minutes after moving it, then rescan again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rescanning delete my recordings or saved shows?
No. Rescanning only updates your channel list. Any recordings stored on your TV or connected device remain untouched. However, your channel favorites and custom channel order will be erased, so you will need to reorganize them after the scan.
How often should I rescan channels?
Rescan only when something changes: you move to a new location, add or remove an antenna, switch cable providers, or notice channels disappearing. You do not need to rescan regularly. Most people rescan once or twice a year at most.
Can I rescan just one channel instead of all channels?
No. Auto Program rescans all available channels at once. Samsung TVs do not have a single-channel rescan option. If you want to add one missing channel, you will need to run a full rescan.
What if my TV is connected to a cable box — do I still rescan the TV?
It depends. If your cable box controls all the channels and you only watch through the box, you may not need to rescan the TV itself. However, if you want the TV to display channels directly (without the box), rescan the TV and select "Cable" as your source. Check your cable provider's instructions for your specific box model.
Why does the rescan take so long?
The TV is scanning every frequency in the broadcast range to find active channels. In areas with many stations, this can take 10 to 15 minutes. In rural areas with fewer channels, it may finish in 5 minutes. There is no way to speed it up — the TV must check each frequency thoroughly to avoid missing channels.