TV aerials can stop working for a multitude of reasons. Bad weather, poor installation, damaged cables – it could all potentially leave you without a signal.
Learning to recognize signs of damage to your aerial is something extremely important, as many people wrongly assume there’s something wrong with their TV instead.
In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common problems people have with TV aerials to help you identify whether your aerial is working properly or not.
So, without any further ado, let’s get right to the bottom of it!
Check your signal
Obviously, not having any signal on your TV is usually the first sign there’s something wrong with your aerial. As we’ve mentioned before, there are a plethora of different reasons why this could be so.
However, do not be mistaken – signal issues do not automatically mean your aerial isn’t working properly. There’s always a possibility your TV or your cables are the cause of the signal issue.
Generally, signal issues can be caused by a damaged aerial, but it’s never a given. To ensure it is so, check your other devices. If they’re receiving the signal normally, then your aerial is working just fine.
Make sure there’s nothing wrong with your connection
Besides the TV itself, the annoying „No signal“ message could be caused by poor connection due to damaged or misplaced connectors. Your aerial could be working perfectly, and you would still be unable to watch your favorite programs for a while.
Make sure to inspect your connectors as often as you can. They’re prone to rust and damage, especially if they’re getting a bit old. You can always replace them with new ones to solve your issue. We advise you to pick your suppliers carefully to ensure compatibility and quality when you’re purchasing aerial equipment.
If the issue persists even after you’ve changed the connectors and you can’t connect your antenna to any of your devices, then you probably need to check up on your aerial.
Consider the weather conditions
Extreme weather such as storms and strong winds can mess up your signal pretty quickly.
If the weather is incredibly bad, you probably don’t have much to worry about when it comes to your aerial. As soon as the weather calms down, you’ll probably have your signal back.
If the issue persists, however, check whether the wind has displaced, disconnected, or damaged your aerial during the storm. If you notice any obvious, external signs of damage, you should probably call a professional to help you resolve the problem. Don’t try messing with the antenna yourself, especially if you’re inexperienced and your aerial is in a place that’s hard to reach. You’d be risking damaging it to the point of no repair, or even worse, hurting yourself (if the aerial is on your roof).
Purchase a tester
If you’re oftentimes finding yourself scratching your head over your signal issues, perhaps it’s time to invest in a signal tester. These small, nifty devices are an excellent way to see if your aerial is working properly or not.
You can find these in technical shops or online. They can cost anywhere between 20 to 70 dollars depending on the model and quality. You can always seek advice from your provider if you’re unable to find a suitable model for your antenna. Besides that, remember to read the user manual before you start using the tester device. It’s not incredibly complicated to use, but you’ll still need decent knowledge to utilize it properly.
Call the professionals
If you’re having constant problems with your aerial, perhaps it’s time to call the professionals. You shouldn’t be left without a signal every other day. If you’re having a working aerial but still encounter issues every day, perhaps there’s a problem with its positioning.
Professional have the tools, knowledge, and experience to deal with these kinds of issues as swiftly and safely as possible.
If you want to see what else they can do, check out https://mikeharrisaerialandsatellite.co.uk
As we’ve mentioned before, you should never try DIY repairing it, as it can be quite dangerous.
Make sure you’ve done your research on the company before you decide to hire them. Not all aerial and satellite experts are worth your time nor money. So, read up on their reviews and ratings and seek advice from your friends and family before you proceed to hire a professional.
Tune your TV
If you’ve recently changed locations, you may need to retune your TV for your aerial to work. Every TV is different, so follow the user’s manual or find info online to learn how to do it properly.
Besides that, you’re probably going to need to buy a new transmitter as well, as you’ll need to „move“ to different television frequencies.
Check your TV’s settings
Sometimes you’ll accidentally switch settings on your remote without even noticing you’ve done it. In those instances, your TV won’t be able to connect to the aerial properly, and you’ll lose signal.
Luckily, there’s an easy fix for this. Just go into your TV’s settings and reset the input source correctly. If you’re not sure how to do that, simply Google your TV and you’ll quickly find a detailed guide on the matter.
Check your antenna for external damage
As we’ve mentioned before, if there’s anything wrong with your antenna, you’re probably going to see it when you get close to it. We advise against climbing the roof yourself in case it’s difficult to reach. Instead of that, you should call your provider to do it for you, as they’ll be equipped enough to do it safely.
The bottom line
Checking whether your antenna is working or not isn’t anything incredibly difficult to do. As long as you check your TV, cables, and consider the weather, you’ll quickly be able to find the root of all of the signal issues you’ve been having.
Either way, we hope our article helped you learn how to inspect your antenna properly and we wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors
