In short: If your Dynex TV keeps saying please run channel auto scan, make sure it’s finished the channel scan (if you’re using an antenna), or change the input source to the correct HDMI input.
Dynex TVs were sold by Best Buy many years ago and have been out of production, but if you still have one, you can use it to receive free over-the-air channels with an antenna.
Alternatively, you can also use the HDMI inputs on a Dynex TV to watch via a streaming device, like an Amazon Fire TV Stick, or to play games, like a PlayStation.
However, if your old Dynex TV keeps saying run channel auto scan, here are some of the things you can do to solve the issue. By the end of this article, it should be up and running already.
Make sure you’ve completed the channel auto scan
Are you using an antenna to receive free channels?
Something to know about digital TVs is that free channels must be scanned into your television before they’re watchable. This is the case with most Dynex TVs.
It’s not like the days of analog TVs where you can just hook up the rabbit ears (antenna) and channels automatically appear. You have to run a channel auto scan before you can watch.
So, if you’re looking to receive free channels on your Dynex TV using over-the-air (OTA) with a simple antenna (rabbit ears), but it keeps saying run channel auto scan, it’s because:
- The antenna cable has not been attached correctly.
- Your antenna might have gotten disturbed or damaged
- Your antenna’s position has been changed due to wind.
- Your TV hasn’t scanned for all the channels completely.
It’s important to make sure that your antenna is not damaged and that it is aimed at the broadcast towers in your area, but this is something you can always adjust later on.
To solve this issue, let’s run a channel auto scan and let your Dynex TV complete its setup.
First, plug in the coax cable from your antenna into the RF (Radio Frequency) port located on the back of your television. Often, the port is labeled ANT/CABLE IN.
You’ll often find the RF port, also known as coaxial sockets, on the back of older TVs, VCRs and DVDs that accepted analog video signals. It’s used to receive signals from an antenna.
Next, press the INPUT button on the universal remote control. You’ll often find the input button located on the top left corner of the Dynex television remote control.
On the INPUT SOURCE window, make sure that TV is selected as the input source. This is where your antenna channels will be located once you scan them.
Next, press the MENU button on the universal remote control and use the arrows to scroll over to the Channel menu located on the top bar of the window.
On the TV Source option, make sure that Antenna is selected.
Once you’ve selected Antenna, scroll down and select Auto Scan and select Yes. Now, your Dynex TV will automatically begin the channel auto scan.
When the Dynex TV is about to finish its channel scan, it will automatically start an analog channel scan unless you hit the EXIT button. Press the exit button and you’re done.
Congratulations, your Dynex TV should now broadcast antenna channels.
If you’re using HDMI input, make sure the input source is correct
If you’re using the HDMI inputs of an older Dynex TV, but it keeps saying please run channel auto scan, this means that you’ve selected the wrong input source.
It sounds simple, but I’ve seen many people with Dynex TVs drop their remote or try to change some settings (like contrast or brightness) only to accidentally change the input source.
If this is the case, you’ll need to change the input source back to the correct one.
Check the back of your Dynex TV and locate where the satellite receiver or streaming device is plugged in. You should see that the device is plugged into HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3.
Next, press the INPUT button on the universal remote control. You’ll often find the input button located on the top left corner of the Dynex television remote control.
On the INPUT SOURCE window, make sure that HDMI is selected as the input source.
If you don’t have the universal remote, you can use the physical buttons on the TV. Generally, you’ll see buttons to control the Dynex TV on the right or left side edges.
A friend of mine once tried to use the HDMI input to stream using Amazon Fire TV Stick on an older Dynex TV but was unable to do so because he selected the wrong input source.
All he needed to do was select the correct input source.
Reboot the TV by unplugging it from the socket
If your Dynex TV is working but the screen changes to a black screen that says run channel auto scan every two minutes or so, you’ll need to reboot the TV.
While it’s turned on, unplug your Dynex TV directly from the wall socket. If you’re using an HDMI streaming device, unplug it from the TV while it’s rebooting.
If you’re using a satellite receiver, you’ll need to unplug the power cord from the back of the satellite box and wait for at least 20 seconds before plugging the device back in.
Give your Dynex TV between one or two minutes to start rebooting before plugging the power cord back into the wall socket and turning the TV back on.
Once it’s back on, set the input source of the Dynex TV to the correct HDMI input using the INPUT button on the remote control. Check to see if the problem has been solved or not.
Your Dynex TV should now stop saying please run channel auto scan.
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