Reception
Smart TV Not Finding Channels in Melbourne? Fixes
2026-02-15 · 4 min read
Rated 5.0 on GoogleNew TV out of the box, autotune runs, and only half the channels appear. Or an old TV used to find everything and now drops 7HD every time you re-scan. Here's the order to troubleshoot.
1. Region setting
Set your TV to Australia and your region to Melbourne before you autotune. Some TVs default to a generic region and skip Melbourne's UHF channels.
2. Autotune (not manual scan)
Use the TV's full autotune, not a single-channel manual scan. Channel allocations change.
3. Check the wall plate
Unscrew the coax from the back of the TV and inspect the connector. Bent centre pins, corrosion, or cracked insulation all kill digital signal. A fresh F-connector often fixes it.
4. Try a different cable
Cheap fly-leads bundled with TVs are a common culprit. A short RG6 patch lead from a hardware store is much better.
5. Test on another wall plate
If channels appear on one wall plate but not another, the fault is in the in-wall cabling — not the TV.
When to call us
If channels still don't appear after the above, the issue is almost always the antenna, masthead amp, or trunk cabling. We'll meter your roof and quote a fix. Call 0497 098 109.
Frequently asked
Why do I get some channels but not 7HD or 9HD?
Different channels broadcast at slightly different frequencies and signal strengths. Missing 7HD or 9HD specifically usually means a marginal signal in the upper UHF band — often a tuning or amplifier issue.
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