Troubleshooting No Signal on Your TV: 3 Solutions

If your “No Signal” notification isn’t caused by selecting the wrong Source or Input, it’s most probably attributable to a set-up or antenna problem.

The majority of the time, pixelating pictures (“blocks on the screen”) or the occasional “No Signal” message are signs of network or reception problems.

TV No Signal – Causes and Fixes

TV No Signal

Network Status

TV networks undergo critical maintenance periodically, which can temporarily affect signal levels.

However, these are typically planned between midnight and 6 a.m. to avoid disrupting the viewing experience. You can find details on all projects that could impact the network status on your network’s app or website.

There isn’t a solution to this except to wait it out.

Reception Problems

Reception issues can also occur due to factors, including:

Antenna malfunction, for example:

  • The UHF aerial is misaligned or obstructed.
  • The satellite dish is obstructed or wrongly located.
  • Due to repeated exposure to the elements, branches of the antenna have corroded;

A problem with the cabling or connections:

  • Sloppy links between the antenna cable and the television;

Misuse or defect in the product:

  • For example, you may want to check with your computer manufacturer to see if it has the most recent firmware updates.

If you’re having trouble receiving signals, get your antenna system tested.

How to Fix No Signal on TV

No signal on TV

The first method to fix your issue: 

Step 1: Turn off your screen (this is the receiver, recorder, or TV that your antenna cables are connected to).

Step 2: Reconnect all cables at the rear of the TV or box, ensuring they are all appropriately wired (you want to avoid loose wires that could cause signal loss). If you have a satellite uplink, unplug and plug the antenna cable directly into your receiver, recorder, or television.

Step 3: Allow for some cooling time for any overheated devices.

Step 4: Switch on your television and receiver/recorder.

Step 5: Re-calibrate your computer. Tuning options can be found in the Menu or Settings menus. Please refer to your device’s manual for guidance, or see here for guidelines.

If the steps mentioned above do not resolve the issue, then there is a problem with your antenna connection.

Issues with HDMI Cables and Ports

The cause of a no-signal issue can usually be traced back to the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) wires or ports. Damaged ports are inevitable if the links aren’t close enough or are slipping out.

It’s nothing major that a TV maintenance specialist can’t handle, and you can easily switch to another HDMI port. (Most televisions come with at least two HDMI ports.)

Step 1: Remove the HDMI cable from the old or current HDMI port and re-insert it.

Step 2: Upgrade your HDMI connector cable to a self-locking one to ensure it stays in the correct port location.

Step3: Once you’ve resolved the HDMI problems, your TV signal should be back up and running in no time.

Check the Set-Top Box/Cable Box

TV No signal cable box

In certain situations, a no-signal problem may be caused by your set-top box. The provider can release new firmware and update it in the background, whether you have an HD box.

It indicates that new satellite settings have been uploaded. However, the changes have not yet been completely implemented into the system.

Step 1: Unplug the power cable and re-insert it to resolve the problem. Make sure the television is turned off. 

Step 2: You can also remove the smart card/viewing card and allow the cable box to cool down for a while. Do it strongly but not too hard. 

Step 3: Following any prominent arrows, re-insert the card with the chip facing downward.

Other Suggestions

You can switch your television to a different base channel at times. Although the default setting on the TV remote is 1 or 2, you can need to change it to 3 or 4 on occasion. This move only affects the TV remote and has no bearing on your cable or streaming service provider.

It can be aggravating when a TV shows a no-signal message. However, in most situations, you won’t need to seek outside help. You can resolve the issue by yourself by coping with one of the troubleshooting issues in this guide.