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You’ve finally purchased your new Insignia device and are ready to enjoy the smart TV experience. There’s just one problem; your TV channel scan isn’t working properly, and you’re stuck with few or no channels to enjoy. We’ll get you back to relaxing in no time – here are the most common Insignia channel scan problems and 9 ways to fix them.
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Most Common Insignia TV Channel Scan Problems
We typically see three problems with the Insignia TV channel scan function.
First, your TV may not pick up any channels during the scan at all, even though there are at least a few dozen available in the area.
Second, your scan may not save or register the channels on your live TV even though it picked them up during the scan.
Finally, you may not be able to scan channels at all due to an internal or external issue.
The 9 fixes we’ve put together can be used for any of these problems, so let’s go through them one by one to see which one gets your TV channel scanner back on track.
9 Fixes for Insignia TV Channel Scan Problems
Fixing your Insignia TV channel scan problem begins with basic troubleshooting. If that doesn’t provide solutions, we move on to checking the hardware (cables, antenna, etc.) of your TV to make sure a loose wire or something similar isn’t the culprit. Then, we discuss the internal changes we can complete to try and resolve the issue.
If all else fails, we’ll head to the source – contacting your TV provider.
1. Carry Out a Complete System Scan
At times, users unintentionally interrupt the channel scan and cause some of the issues we mentioned. This may happen if you press additional commands or buttons on your remote/TV, the Wi-Fi turns off or restarts, the antenna is accidentally moved, or cables are adjusted mid-scan.
To ensure the issues weren’t caused by a temporary interruption, we’ll first perform another complete scan. Follow the following steps to get started:
- Click “Menu” on your TV remote
- Scroll up/down until you reach “Channels” and select it
- Scroll up/down until you reach “Auto Channel Scan” or a similar action and select it
- It will prompt you to choose your input source
- Select between HDMI 1, HDMI 2, cable box, antenna, etc. depending on your setup
- You may or may not be prompted to begin the scan or it will begin automatically after your selection
While your system scans, avoid interruptions. Don’t touch anything on the TV, remote, cable box, Wi-Fi box, etc. You’ll receive a message once the scan is complete, after which you can close the menu.
Now head to your channel list and see if your channels have been updated. If not, head to our fix #2.
2. Update Your TV
Insignia TVs are set up to automatically update, even if they’re in use. Even so, an update could get delayed for a variety of reasons, so be sure your TV is up-to-date when scanning for channels.
To check for updates, complete the following steps:
- Find the “Settings” button on your TV’s menu
- Select “System”
- Select “System Update” followed by “Check Now”
Your TV will begin to check for updates and let you know if there are any available. For the latter, follow the on-screen instructions to begin the system update. Not all updates will provide changes visible to the naked eye, so don’t be surprised if the TV’s interface seems to be the same after the update.
If your TV is up-to-date and your channel scan is still experiencing issues, it’s time to start checking the hardware.
3. Try a Different Remote
If you can’t access your channel scan to begin with, it may be an issue with your remote or Fire Stick. Check the batteries and restart the remote. The remote should then have a button to connect with a device. Most require you to press the power button and the connection button at the same time to pair with a TV.
Fire Sticks should be plugged into your HDMI port, powered by a wall outlet, and connected via the Fire Stick remote according to the on-screen instructions.
4. Inspect the Cables
Insignia TVs need to be connected to the receiver box and the wall. You may have additional cables if you have other devices you use with your TV.
Power off your TV before handling cables. Check the cables for twists, breaks, or loose cords. Make sure your cables are connected to the right port. For example, if you’re selecting the HDMI 1 input source, be sure your cable is plugged into the HDMI 1 port and not HDMI 2 or another port.
5. Check Out the Digital Antenna (If Accessible)
Indoor digital antennas look like mousepads and are used to pick up electromagnetic signals from local stations. Virtually all Smart TVs have an outdoor or indoor digital antenna.
If your antenna is in an accessible location, make sure it isn’t covered, dirty, or blocked by household items. Positioning it on or near an outdoor-facing wall is your best bet to access clear coverage.
Be wary of using too many splitters with an antenna, as this could also weaken the signal.
6. Reboot Your TV
Electronics aren’t perfect (yet), so we’ll still experience a bug or glitch now and again that could interrupt a channel scan. These could happen naturally, with updates, or when a TV becomes overheated.
If you haven’t already, it’s time to reboot or restart your TV. Turn the TV off, unplug the power cable, wait a few minutes, plug it back in, and restart it.
Do note that your cache data and temporary files will be eliminated when your TV is rebooted.
7. Verify Your Input Source
If your TV is connected to the wrong input source when scanning for channels, it will not register any. The same could happen if you selected one input when the cable is actually plugged into another.
To check your input source, turn on your TV, click “Input” on your remote, and select the appropriate source.
Then, select the Menu on your Insignia TV, choose “Channels” followed by “Auto Channel Search,” and choose the corresponding input source that matches the one you selected previously.
8. Reset Your TV to Factory Settings
One of our last resorts is to reset your Insignia TV to factory settings to try and get everything up and running the way it should have upon purchase. This will return your TV to the way it was when you took it out of the box.
A full factory reset can be accessed by:
- Choosing “Settings”
- Select “System” and “Advanced System Settings”
- Select “Factory Reset” followed by “Factory Reset Everything”
- Read the information on the screen before agreeing by selecting “OK”
Your TV will take some time to reset and then bring you to the Guided Setup screen. You’ll set up your TV again and can attempt to rescan your channels.
9. Contact Your Provider
In a worst-case scenario and after unsuccessfully trying the previous 8 fixes, you should reach out to your TV provider for assistance. Be sure to list everything you’ve tried so far to avoid repeating any of the steps.
Final Thoughts
Without a working channel scan on your Insignia TV, you won’t be able to enjoy many of the local broadcasts in your region. With our 9 fixes for the most common channel scan problems, we hope you’ll be comfortable on your couch and enjoying your favorite series in no time.