How to Connect an Antenna to a Samsung QLED TV
To connect an antenna to a Samsung QLED TV, you physically screw the antenna’s coaxial cable into the “ANT IN” port, then use the TV’s Tizen operating system to scan for local channels. The only exception is on select premium models where the port lives on the separate One Connect Box instead of the TV panel itself.
Locate the ANT IN port on your TV or One Connect Box
Look for the “ANT IN” F-type connector, a small, threaded round port, on the back panel of your Samsung QLED TV. It is usually labeled clearly and sits near the other input ports like HDMI and USB. On certain premium models, including The Frame, Q80/Q90, QN90, and QN95 series, this port is not on the TV at all; it is located on the One Connect Box, which connects to the TV via a single proprietary cable. If your TV uses a One Connect Box, check that box’s rear edge for the same threaded “ANT IN” connector. If running a cable across the room isn’t practical, you can connect TV antenna to TV wirelessly using a network tuner.
Connect the antenna and set the TV source
Take the coaxial cable from your antenna and screw it firmly onto the “ANT IN” port, turning the connector clockwise until it is hand-tight. A loose connection can cause signal loss, so give it a gentle tug to confirm it is secure. Power on the TV and press the “Home” button on your remote. Navigate to and select “Source,” then choose “TV” as the input source. If the TV asks for “Air/Cable,” select “Air” because you are using an antenna for over-the-air reception. Setting the source to “TV” is essential, the Broadcasting menu stays greyed out unless the TV is on this live TV input.
Run Auto Program to scan for channels
Once the source is set to “TV,” open “Settings” from the Home screen (the gear icon). Select “Broadcasting” or “Channel settings”, the exact label varies by model year. Choose “Auto Program” or “Auto Tuning,” then select “Start” to begin the scan. When prompted for the signal type, pick “Air” (not “Cable”) because you are receiving signals through an antenna. Let the scan run until it reaches 100%; do not close the menu early, as the TV saves every detected channel only after the full scan completes. When the progress bar hits 100%, select “Close” to exit and return to live TV. The TV automatically stores all found channels, and you can now flip through them with the channel buttons on your remote.
Troubleshooting: No channels or menu is greyed out
If the Broadcasting menu is greyed out and you cannot select “Auto Program,” the most common cause is that the TV source is not set to “TV.” Press “Home,” go to “Source,” and select “TV”, the menu will become active immediately. If channels reset or disappear after a short time, your TV might be stuck in Retail Mode or Demo Mode, which resets settings every few minutes and prevents channel saving. To fix this, switch to Home Mode: for 2022-2023 models, go to Settings > All Settings > General & Privacy > System Manager > Usage Mode > Home Mode; for 2017-2021 models, go to Settings > General > System Manager > Usage Mode > Home Mode. For weak signals or missing channels, reposition the antenna closer to a window and minimize nearby electronics that could cause interference. Also verify that the coaxial cable connection is firm and secure at both the antenna and the TV. If you still get no channels, you may need to point a TV antenna toward the nearest broadcast tower, which you can find using a local station locator app or website. And if you are unsure what to buy, consider the antenna type for a smart TV: a standard indoor flat antenna works for most urban areas, while an amplified or outdoor model is better for rural locations. Remember that an antenna connection is not required if you are connecting a cable box or satellite box, those devices use HDMI or other ports instead. If you have tried repositioning, switching to Home Mode, and confirming the source is “TV” but still receive zero channels, run the Auto Program scan again after moving the antenna a few feet, even a small shift can make a significant difference in reception.
