How to Scan Channels on Toshiba TV (Older and Smart)

If you’re looking to get your television up and running, here’s how to scan channels on a Toshiba TV if you plan to use an antenna signal to pick up an over-the-air broadcast.

There’s a guide for older Toshiba TVs and newer Toshiba Smart TVs.

Table of Contents

How to scan channels on older Toshiba TV

Before we begin, make sure the antenna is positioned correctly. Ideally, you’d want the antenna to face the direction of the broadcast towers in your area for optimal coverage.

Then, connect the antenna to the coax cable, and then screw it into the back of the set. The port located on the back of your television is often labeled ANT/CABLE on most Toshiba televisions.

If you need more information on where to connect the antenna to your particular Toshiba television, take a look at the diagram that came with your television set.

Be sure the connection is secure.

The steps to perform the channel scan procedure may be different depending on your Toshiba TV model, even if the menu looks similar. Here are two versions of the channel scan process.

1. Installation option one

If your Toshiba TV menu looks like this, follow this procedure:

Press the INPUT button on the remote control repeatedly until ANT/CABLE is selected.
Press the MENU button on the remote control.
Using the arrow buttons, select the icon in the top menu associated with SETUP, this is the icon furthest on the right that looks like a gear.
Use the arrow buttons to select and highlight INSTALLATION and press ENTER.
Select the icon in the top menu associated with TERRESTRIAL, this is the icon furthest on the left that looks like an antenna.
Select and highlight INPUT CONFIGURATION and press ENTER.
Using the left/right arrow buttons, select Antenna or Cable as desired, then select DONE.
Press the CH RTN button to go back to the TERRESTRIAL menu.
Select CHANNEL PROGRAM and press ENTER.
Select START SCAN to begin the Channel Program.

The progress will be shown on the screen. Once the channel scan process is complete the Toshiba TV will display the lowest scanned and identified channel.

2. Installation option two

If your Toshiba TV menu looks like this, follow this procedure:

Press the INPUT button on the remote control repeatedly until ANT/CABLE is selected.
Press the MENU button on the remote control.
Using the arrow buttons, select SETTINGS.
Use the arrow buttons to select SETUP from the upper items and press ENTER.
Select ANT/CABLE.
Using the left/right arrow buttons, select Antenna or Cable as desired.
Next, select AUTO TUNING and press ENTER.
Select START SCAN to begin the Auto Tuning.

The progress will be shown on the screen. Once it’s complete, you can now use the remote control’s channel up and down buttons to cycle through the available channels.

How to scan channels on Toshiba Smart TV

In this day and age, most televisions are essentially used as a monitor where you can connect a cable box, streaming device, DVD Blu-ray players, or gaming consoles.

However, a lot of people who are new to the idea of using a TV antenna to receive free local channels may not realize that smart TVs still have built-in digital tuner.

When you connect the TV antenna to a Toshiba Smart TV, you can actually scan local over-the-air broadcast channels, all of which are free of charge.

Here’s how to scan channels on Toshiba Smart TV.

1. Position the antenna correctly

First, make sure the antenna is positioned properly. You can always adjust this later but I recommend doing this first. Aim it in the direction of the broadcast towers in your area.

2. Connect the antenna to coax, then to the TV

You’ll need a coaxial cable, also known as “coax” to get free channels.

Simply connect the antenna to the coax cable, and then insert it into the back of the TV. The port located on the back of your television is often labeled ANT on most Toshiba Smart TVs.

If you need more information on where to connect the antenna to your particular Toshiba television, take a look at the diagram that came with your smart television set.

Be sure the connection is secure. Once you’ve done that, the hardest part is over.

3. Start the Auto Tuning process

Once you’ve connected the cable from your antenna to the coax port, press the HOME button (home icon) located on the Toshiba Smart TV remote control.

Use the arrows on the remote control to navigate to MAIN MENU located under the FUNCTION menu. On the new window, use the arrows on the remote control to navigate to CHANNEL.

Select the Auto Tuning option by pressing OK on the remote control, then select your country.

From the available “Scan Mode” options, select DTV+ATV (Digital and Analog TV) and press OK. Your Toshiba Smart TV will now scan for local channels.

You’ll see a progress bar that shows the status of the scanning process.

If for some reason, you don’t have the universal remote control available, you can use the buttons on the television, either on the left side or right side of the Toshiba TV.

Once finished, press the GUIDE button on the remote control and you’ll see the Program Guide window on the screen, where you’ll be able to see all local channels on your Toshiba Smart TV.