Scanning for channels on a Samsung TV takes about five to ten minutes and uses your remote to search for all available broadcasts in your area

The process is called an auto scan or channel scan, and it tells your TV to search the airwaves for every station it can receive. You do not need to know which channels exist in your area beforehand — the TV finds them. The exact steps depend on whether your TV is a 2022 model or newer (which use Samsung's Tizen operating system) or an older model, but both paths are straightforward and use only your remote.

You will need a working antenna connected to your TV's antenna port (the round connector labeled "ANT IN" or "AIR IN" on the back). If you are using cable or satellite, your provider's box handles the scan instead, and you skip this process entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • A channel scan searches for all available broadcasts and takes five to ten minutes; your TV stores the results automatically.
  • You must have an antenna plugged into the antenna port on the back of your TV for a scan to find any channels.
  • On 2022 and newer Samsung TVs, go to Settings > Broadcasting > Auto Tuning and select Start to begin the scan.
  • On older Samsung TVs, go to Menu > Channel > Antenna > Auto Program and select Start.
  • If the scan finds no channels, check that your antenna is plugged in firmly, positioned near a window, and not blocked by metal objects.

How to scan on a 2022 or newer Samsung TV

Press the Home button on your remote (the house icon). Navigate to Settings using the arrow buttons and press Enter. Scroll down to Broadcasting and press Enter. Select Auto Tuning.

You will see a screen that says "Start Auto Tuning" with a button or option to begin. Press Enter to start the scan. The TV will display a progress bar and a message like "Scanning for channels" or "Tuning in progress." Do not turn off the TV or unplug the antenna during this time. When the scan finishes, the TV will show how many channels it found and ask whether you want to save them. Select Yes or OK. Your channels are now stored and ready to watch.

How to scan on an older Samsung TV (2021 and earlier)

Press the Menu button on your remote. Use the arrow buttons to navigate to Channel and press Enter. Look for an option called Antenna, Air, or Tuner and select it. Then choose Auto Program or Auto Tuning.

A screen will appear asking you to confirm that you want to start the scan. Press Enter or select Start. The TV will begin searching and display a progress indicator. This usually takes between five and ten minutes. When it is done, the TV will report the number of channels found and save them to your channel list. You can now use the up and down arrow buttons to flip through your channels, or use the number pad on your remote to jump to a specific channel.

What to do if the scan finds no channels or very few

The most common reason a scan finds nothing is that the antenna is not plugged in or is plugged in loosely. Check the back of your TV and make sure the antenna cable is connected firmly to the antenna port. The connector should be hand-tight; you should not be able to wiggle it.

Next, check the antenna's position. Move it closer to a window or higher up on a shelf — broadcast signals travel better through glass and from elevated positions. If your antenna has a loop or rod design, try rotating it slowly while watching for a change in signal strength on your TV (some older models show a signal meter during the scan). Keep the antenna away from metal objects, large appliances, and electronics like computers or routers, which can block the signal.

If you still find no channels after repositioning, your antenna may be too weak for your location, or your area may have few or no over-the-air broadcasts. You can check what channels broadcast in your zip code by visiting websites like TVFool.com or AntennaWeb.org, which show which stations reach your address and what type of antenna they recommend.

How to rescan if you move or want to update your channel list

You can run the auto scan as many times as you want. Each time you scan, the TV searches for channels again and updates your list. If you have moved to a new location, a new scan will find the channels available in your new area. If you have added a better antenna or repositioned your existing one, a new scan may find channels that were not available before.

To rescan, follow the same steps as your first scan (either the 2022+ path or the older TV path, depending on your model). The TV will overwrite your old channel list with the new results. If you want to keep a record of your old channels before rescanning, take a photo of your channel list, though most people straightforward let the new scan replace it.

Understanding what happens after the scan

Once the scan is complete, your TV stores the channels it found in its memory. You can access them by pressing the up and down arrow buttons on your remote to browse through the list, or by pressing a number on the number pad to jump directly to a channel (for example, pressing 5 takes you to channel 5). Some Samsung TVs also let you delete channels you do not watch or rearrange the order of your channel list through the Channel menu, though this is optional.

The channels your TV finds depend entirely on what broadcasts reach your antenna. If a station goes off the air or changes its broadcast frequency, you may need to rescan to update your list. Most people rescan once or twice a year, or whenever they move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to rescan every time I turn on my TV?

No. Once you have scanned and saved your channels, they stay in your TV's memory until you delete them or run a new scan. You can turn your TV on and off as many times as you want without losing your channels.

Can I scan if I have cable or satellite TV?

If you have cable or satellite service, your provider's box (the device that came with your subscription) handles the channel search, not your TV. You do not need to scan your TV. Plug the cable or satellite box into your TV with an HDMI cable, and the box will display the channels on your TV screen.

What if my TV does not have an antenna port?

Some very new Samsung TVs and all smart TVs sold outside North America may not have a traditional antenna port. Check your TV's manual or the back panel to confirm. If your TV has no antenna port, you will need to use cable, satellite, or a streaming service to watch television.

How long does a channel scan usually take?

Most scans finish in five to ten minutes. Larger markets with more broadcast stations may take slightly longer. Do not turn off your TV or unplug the antenna while the scan is running, or it may not save your channels correctly.

Will scanning delete my apps or settings?

No. A channel scan only searches for and stores broadcast channels. It does not affect your apps, passwords, picture settings, or any other part of your TV's configuration.