Scanning for channels on your Samsung TV
To scan for channels on your Samsung TV, press the Menu button on your remote, navigate to Broadcasting or Channels, then select Auto Program or Channel Scan. The TV will search for all available channels in your area and add them to your channel list. The scan usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how many channels are available and whether you're scanning for digital terrestrial (antenna), cable, or satellite signals.
The exact menu path and button names vary slightly between Samsung TV models and years, but the core process is the same across most sets made in the last decade. If you cannot find these options in the main menu, check under Settings instead — some newer models moved the channel scan feature there.
Key Takeaways
- Access the channel scan through Menu > Broadcasting > Auto Program or Menu > Channels > Channel Scan, depending on your TV model.
- The scan works for antenna, cable, and satellite signals, but you must tell the TV which signal type you're using before it starts.
- A full channel scan takes 5 to 15 minutes and will overwrite your existing channel list unless you save it first.
- If the scan finds no channels, check that your antenna or cable is plugged in firmly and that you selected the correct signal source.
Step-by-step channel scan on older Samsung models
On Samsung TVs made between 2010 and 2018, the channel scan is usually found in the Broadcasting menu. Press Menu on your remote, then use the arrow keys to highlight Broadcasting. Press Enter. You should see options like Auto Program, Manual Program, and Channel List. Select Auto Program.
The TV will ask you to choose your signal source: Antenna, Cable, or Satellite. Choose the one that matches your setup. If you use an antenna, select Antenna. If you have cable TV from a provider, select Cable. After you choose, the TV will begin scanning. A progress bar will appear on screen. Do not turn off the TV or unplug it during the scan — wait until it finishes and shows a summary of channels found.
Step-by-step channel scan on newer Samsung models (2019 and later)
On newer Samsung TVs, the channel scan moved to the Settings menu. Press the Menu button, then navigate to Settings (sometimes labeled as a gear icon). Scroll down and look for Broadcasting, Channels, or Channel Management. Select it, then choose Auto Program or Channel Scan.
You will see a prompt asking for your signal source. Select Antenna if you use an over-the-air antenna, Cable if you have cable service, or Satellite if you have a satellite dish. The scan will begin when ready. The TV may ask you to enter your cable provider or country during the scan — answer these questions if prompted. The scan will finish on its own and display how many channels were found.
What to do if the scan finds no channels
If the scan completes but shows zero channels found, the most common cause is a loose or unplugged cable. Check that your antenna cable, cable box connection, or satellite dish cable is plugged firmly into the back of the TV. The connection should click or screw in — if it is just resting loosely, the TV cannot detect a signal.
The second most common mistake is selecting the wrong signal source. If you have an antenna but selected Cable, the scan will find nothing. Run the scan again and double-check that you chose the correct source for your setup. If you have both an antenna and cable, you may need to run the scan twice — once for antenna and once for cable — to get both sets of channels.
If the cable is plugged in firmly and you selected the right source but still find no channels, try unplugging the TV for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This resets the TV's tuner. After it restarts, run the channel scan again. If you still find no channels after this, your antenna or cable signal may not be reaching your TV — contact your cable provider or check your antenna placement.
Saving your channel list before you scan
Running a channel scan will replace your current channel list with the new one. If you have customized your channels — deleted ones you don't watch, reordered favorites, or created custom lists — the scan will undo those changes. Before you scan, write down which channels you want to keep or take a photo of your current channel list.
Some Samsung TVs allow you to export your channel list to a USB drive before scanning. Check your TV's manual or the Channel Management menu to see if this option is available on your model. If it is, use it — you can reload the list after the scan if you want to restore your old setup.
Scanning for cable channels with a cable provider
If you have cable TV from a provider like Comcast, Charter, or Spectrum, you still use the channel scan feature, but the process works differently than with an antenna. Connect your cable line directly to the TV (not through a cable box), then run the channel scan and select Cable as your signal source. The TV will search for all unencrypted cable channels in your area.
However, most cable providers encrypt their channels, which means the TV cannot display them without a cable box. If you have a cable box, you do not need to run a channel scan on the TV — instead, you watch channels through the cable box remote. The TV straightforward needs to be set to the correct input (usually HDMI 1 or HDMI 2) to display what the cable box sends. If you want to watch unencrypted cable channels directly on the TV without a box, run the scan with the cable line plugged into the TV's cable input port.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a channel scan take?
A channel scan usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. The time depends on how many channels are available in your area and your TV model. Antenna scans are often faster than cable scans. Do not interrupt the scan — let it run until the TV shows the final count of channels found.
Will the scan delete channels I already have?
Yes. Running a channel scan replaces your entire channel list with the new one. Any channels you deleted, reordered, or organized into custom lists will be reset. If you want to keep your current setup, note which channels you use before you scan, then manually delete the ones you don't want after the scan finishes.
Can I scan for channels if I use a cable box or satellite box?
You can run a channel scan on the TV, but it will only find unencrypted channels. Most cable and satellite channels are encrypted and require a box to view. If you have a cable or satellite box, use the box's remote to change channels — the TV scan is not necessary for those services.
What if my TV is stuck on "scanning" and won't finish?
If the scan has been running for more than 20 minutes, unplug the TV for 10 seconds and plug it back in. This will stop the scan and restart the TV. Then try the scan again. If it gets stuck again, check that your cable or antenna is plugged in firmly — a loose connection can cause the scan to hang.
Do I need to scan again if I move to a new house?
Yes. Different areas have different available channels. When you move, run a new channel scan so your TV finds the channels available in your new location. The scan will replace your old channel list with channels from your new area.