What to do if there is no signal on the TV

From the user’s side, the digital terrestrial television signal reception system seems simple. There is a set-top box in the room or there is a cable that needs to be plugged into the socket on the TV case. In practice, not everything is so simple. The reception system consists of a number of components. This is an antenna, connecting cables, intermediate amplification circuits (if any). And finally, a set-top box, if the user’s TV cannot work with the DVB T2 broadcast format. Therefore, the causes of poor channel reception should be sought at all key points in the system. And it’s better to start with simple problems.

Weather

Digital terrestrial television broadcasts at a high frequency. This means that many factors influence the level of the shortwave signal. Including, bad weather. The signal level drops sharply if there is intense snow outside. Channels fail or do not show in a thunderstorm. The quality of reception is strongly affected by fog and even excessive solar radiation.

In bad weather, an incorrectly directed or insufficiently sensitive antenna is simply unable to generate a signal level sufficient for the normal operation of the set-top box or TV. Therefore, the first thing to do when detecting problems is to look out the window. Or try to watch the same channels the next day when the weather changes.

In case of constant problems of the influence of precipitation or other factors of natural origin on the quality of signal reception, it is worth considering the characteristics of the installed equipment. It may be wise to replace the antenna with a more sensitive and powerful model. Or buy a good intermediate signal amplifier. Finally, you can check the antenna setting and set it to the optimal position.

Incorrect antenna position

In order for the set-top box to receive all channels (or on the TV) and achieve high quality picture and sound, the antenna must be sent to the base station. The maximum signal level is formed with direct visibility of the translator. However, in practice, the user needs to receive two multiplexes at once. And the antenna is oriented in such a way that the direction of the axis of its reception diagram allows it to be done. It is clear that the first attempt, by eye, is very difficult to implement. Therefore, if the reception is poor, it is recommended to reconfigure the antenna.

This is done in the following way.

1. An information block is called up on the screen with indications of indicators of signal quality and its strength.
2. The antenna turns. This is done at one or two degrees per attempt. At the same time, carefully look at the readings of the indicators.
3. When the maximum possible reception level is reached, the antenna is fixed in the found position.

It should be understood that the antenna may have to be rotated first in one direction, then in the other direction.

Advice! It is recommended to carry out preventive maintenance of the device. That is, wash bird droppings from its parts, check that there are no oxides on the contacts of cable clamps and metal parts.

cable system

Most often, users install the antenna, focusing not on the calculations of the cable structure, but simply on the convenience of its installation. As a result, a device bought in a store, similar to the one installed at the neighbors, with an excessive length of wires, is unable to provide a sufficient signal level.

The first check is simple. If possible, the set-top box or TV is installed as close as possible to the antenna with a minimum cable line length. As the signal quality improves, it becomes clear that the power drop on the wire is excessive. Amplifier Installation can solve this problem.

In addition to the excessive length of cable routes, there are other problems of the data transmission network.

1. Constant interference from power lines 220V due to violations of the laying rules. The signal cable must run at least 35 mm away from high voltage wires.
2. Amplifier Surge Interference. If possible, you need to turn them on through stabilizers if there are sudden changes in voltage in the network due to, for example, welding work.
3. Leads due inadequate shielding. They can be eliminated by laying the cable inside a metal corrugated tube.

Finally, changes in the parameters of contact groups and wires can cause poor reception. To diagnose them, a thorough examination is carried out. The cable must not have kinks, creases, damage to the insulation. All defects found must be corrected. It is worth remembering that it is not recommended to make more than one point of intermediate connection of pieces on one section of the wire. If this cannot be done, the section is changed by installing a new cable segment.

Important! All soldered contact points must be free of defects. If F-connectors are used in the network, dirt and oxides are not allowed on their sites, the elements themselves must be tightly twisted.

old firmware

On Smart TV, there are often situations when the old firmware of the TV does not allow you to achieve the optimal quality of receiving digital channels. The software needs to be updated regularly. The procedure is quite simple:

• on an Internet-connected (wired or WiFi) TV, the on-screen settings menu is called up;
• you need to find the block «About the device» or «Support»;
• the item No. Software Update No. is highlighted and activated.

The order of navigation through items and sections differs for individual TV models. He always specified in their user manual.. The system after the update command will ask for confirmation of the user’s actions. Then the process of downloading and installing new software is carried out. All that is needed from the owner of the TV is patience. After the device reboots, you can search for channels and check if DTV reception has improved.

Why doesn’t satellite TV work?

There may be several reasons why this error may occur. These primarily include:

• equipment problems;
• preventive work;
• external factors.

Hardware problems

The most common reasons why there is no stable satellite signal on your TV are:

• connecting cable defect;
• malfunction of the satellite dish or antenna;
• failure of the satellite converter.

A problem with connecting cable can be a very obvious answer to the question of why there is no signal on the TV. In the event that the antenna or satellite dish has a poor connection to the device due to cable damage, this situation is fully justified. Check the plugs and the wire itself for defects. By the way, the very quality of the wire also affects the transmitted signal, so it will not be superfluous to know how to choose the right cable.

If you use a satellite dish to receive a TV signal, you need to make sure that it is in correct position (See below for tips on how to do this.) If a satellite receiver is covered in dust, ice, or dirt, it’s not surprising that it won’t work. In this case, carefully clean the surface.

Malfunction satellite converter is a fairly common reason why there is no satellite signal on the TV. The converter acts as a regulator that lowers the frequency of the signal from the satellite to reduce signal transmission losses. To solve the problem, replace the defective converter with a new one.

Important: if you are not sure that you know how to perform such manipulations with a satellite dish, entrust this matter to an experienced craftsman. Otherwise, you risk causing irreparable damage to the device.

Preventive work

If the TV writes “no signal” in exceptionally rare cases, it is possible that the operator is carrying out preventive work to eliminate delays and other problems in broadcasting the TV signal. The only way out of this situation is to wait until the preventive work comes to an end. Distinguishing one reason for the lack of a signal from another is quite simple:

• take the remote control from the receiver;
• enter the system menu;
• check if there is an inscription «no signal» in the receiver’s menu.

If the device starts to write about the absence of a signal in its system menu, then the problem lies in your carrier’s satellite. In some cases, the set-top box may “hang” (for cable TV subscribers). Try rebooting the device: disconnect from the network, and after 30 seconds turn it on again. Perhaps the problem will disappear. The same actions can be done in the absence of a signal on Tricolor-TV.

In any case, it will not be out of place to contact your digital television provider to find out what to do in this situation.

External factors

What to do if there is no signal on your TV due to some external factors? Obstacles encountered in the form tree branches and other foreign objects may interfere with the TV signal. If you have the ability to fix the problem, you’re in luck. If not, then the only solution may be to reinstall the satellite dish in another place. For tips on setting up a satellite dish, see the article on connecting satellite TV.

How to set up a satellite dish yourself

To set up a satellite dish with your own hands, you must:

• go to the operator’s website and find the angle calculator;
• enter satellite coordinates and find out your location;
• aim the antenna at the satellite using the data obtained earlier.

Define your current location can be done with a regular smartphone. As a rule, their accuracy is sufficient to select the optimal direction of the dish.

If you often experience problems with the lack of a signal, then you will need information on ways to improve your TV signal. This may require selecting a new antenna. In any case, this is a problem to be solved, both for old TVs and for new ones.