My ITV/C4 Freeview channels have disappeared - what can I do? Is it my SCART cable?
It is a feature of television signals that they can be effected by the weather. Aside from the obvious damaged that can be caused by wind or torrential rain, the onset of summer can cause a more intriguing problem called "inversion".
Basically, when the sun heats up the land, the hot air can get trapped below cold air at high level. This creates an "inversion layer" which acts like a polished mirror to TV signals. This causes two problems: you can receive both the original and a reflected signal from your own transmitter (on analogue TV this appears as "ghosting") or interference from TV transmitters that are normally too far distant.
The ITV/C4 multiplex of channels (ITV-1, ITV-2, ITV-3, ITV-4, CITV, C4, More4, E4, Quizcall) use a transmission "mode" called 64QAM, and it is sadly much more prone to these problems.
So, whilst a loft-mounted aerial will provide reception at some time, it will fail at others. The only real solution is to mount the aerial (or a new Class I aerial) outside on a pole, but some people report that changing the cable from the aerial to the set-top box to the high-grade satellite cable can also help.
The SCART connection, by the way, only carries a single TV picture, not the Freeview transmission multiplexes, so if this is disconnected it will result in degradation to every channel at once.
Click here for the list of questions
Click here to ask a new question
Your comments
First comments 
Earlier comments ◊ Later comments
Latest comments
Your comments are always welcome. Please use the form below to add your thoughts or questions to this page. We will get back to you as soon as we can.
MikeSunday 14 August 2011 1:32PM
Hello, I have recently purchased an LG37 with built in freeview, i was so exicted to set it all up, but I was saddened to find out I can only get a handful of freeview chanels, and most of the channels I CAN get, break up, jutter ect ect. What is going on?!jb38Sunday 14 August 2011 2:10PM
Mike: Its quite impossible for anyone to offer assistance with any question involving reception when a persons location is unknown, this preferably supplied in the form of a post code for maximum accuracy, or at least as accurate as a reception predictor ever can be!
georgeMonday 22 August 2011 1:55PM
Derby have lost itv,ch 5,and others since i retuned. aerial on roof.ScottSunday 28 August 2011 9:28AM
Lowestoft Channels fine for month...thunderstorm yesterday channels all gone...did rescan and nothing...thanksTeri Saturday 10 September 2011 9:59AM
Newton Abbot Hi I will definately read all the following pointers and have printed them out to digest (not very technically minded!) over the weekend but they all seem to be about a problem regarding a signal to the house affecting all TV's. I have a Freeview TV downstairs which was great when I first got it last year but now I am getting problems with it(constantly breaking up all the time on all ITV/4/5 channels-but BBC channels are ok.) In my bedroom I have a Freeview Box which is ok? Outside aerial in TQ12 6YG.
Many thanks,
TeriTeriSunday 11 September 2011 12:21PM
Hi again, now ploughed thru all info and tried various options! Phew! No change! Only thing left is to check fuse in Booster which I will have to get looked at. Funny thing I noticed, don't know if it has and connection to problem but when I tried to do manual or auto tune it started at channel 21 to 68. I could not find channels 1 to 20? However, when it finished all channels there but still breaking up. Tried TV upstairs. Still breaking up on ITV channels but FV box didn't. Presume my TV is extra sensitive, make LOGIK? Any hints would be greatly appreciated!
Many thanks ,
Teri TeriSunday 11 September 2011 2:19PM
Right...! We have lift off! Discovered all channels missing were up in the 800's so did one final last re scan as per FAQ 1107051116 i.e. Unplugged TV and aerial, plugged TV in, auto scanned, then when empty, plugged aerial in and scanned again, all channels clear! Easy when u know how but would never have done it without the valuable info on this site! Cheers! Teri.AndrewSunday 25 September 2011 11:51AM
Stone I re-scanned on 21st September and received all the channels. I was v happy.
On Thursday pm/Friday am the ITV, Ch4 etc channels disappeared and I can't get them back! I have tried the recommendation of retuning with no aerial and trying again, but no luck. My post code is ST15 and the aerial I use points approx SE, like everyone else.
Any help/ideas appreciatedjb38Sunday 25 September 2011 1:40PM
Andrew: Try manually tuning in Mux Ch46, that being the ITV multiplex for Sutton Coldfield.
You might be best though to first of all blank out anything stored using the aerial out procedure, then after carrying out the manual tune on Ch46, storing as required, then just use the "add (or find) channels" to load the remainder back in.
Steph BrownSaturday 22 October 2011 11:57PM
Hi,
We tried the freeview reset procedure after discovering we had no ITV1, Channel 4 or 5. After rescanning we gained some channels but still were missing channels (at least), channel numbers 3-6.
The freeview is via a freeview TV with an aerial outside.
What else can we try or who can we contact to rectify the problem?Bill McGreeThursday 8 December 2011 11:11AM
Swindon I live at SN25 1QN ..... I can get all the BBC channels but no ITV channels. I have gone through the reset procedure,checked all the cables....nothing!!!!
PLEASE HELP, PLEASE HELP...........I am 74 and need my telly!t mc enteeFriday 9 December 2011 10:54AM
itv missing free view box aerial on roof what can i do t mc entee.You didnt leave a full post code or destination.Without this information we cannot assist you as such ! nigel ferrisThursday 15 December 2011 10:10PM
i have a hd fox t2 but have lost some channels that i can not get back. i have tried re tuning but makes no differencejb38Friday 16 December 2011 8:07AM
nigel ferris: As you are making a query involving reception its impossible to assist without knowledge of your location, this preferably in the form of a post code.
TraceyMonday 19 December 2011 4:13PM
I am getting so fed up of itv and the ITV+ /ch4/ch5 chamnels either having no signal or a bad signal. All the BBC programmes are always perfect.
I have a TV with built in freeview and internal loft mounted Digtal aeriel. I have on numerous occasions rescanned only to lose the stations completely I am in the Slough SL1 area and this is such a problem more so when the slightest bit of rain its soo frustrating having to watch catch up tv the next day really defeats the point of having a TV licence!!1AllieWednesday 21 December 2011 3:59PM
Dover Help please! I live in CT16 3AY, i lost itv/5 a few weeks ago,i have tried reset procedure. I have since lost all bbc channels as well!Then found bbc channels in 800's, which have since disappeared! (I do however have bbc+itv on my portable tv without freeview box in another room) I have tried the ariel unplugged procedure this pm, without any success!? Has anyone any further ideas on what to try next please? My 7yr old has been in tears and worried no tv for christmas! AllieWednesday 21 December 2011 4:36PM
Hi,thankyou, will try suggestions listed. Fingers crossed!mikeThursday 22 December 2011 12:25PM
Hi, I rescanned today and suddenly Dave, E4+1 and some other channels are missing, are they still on freeview?jb38Thursday 22 December 2011 5:05PM
Allie: In addition to the info Briantist has given the link for, when you say that you found BBC & ITV on your portable are you referring to analogue reception?
If on your main device (TV or box) you found the BBC up in the 800 ranges albeit that they disappeared, but should you find anything else up there with a reasonable quality signal go into the TV's tuning menu / signal check area (whilst on the channel) and note the channel number being shown associated with the indication, as this could be used for manually tuning the channel in after having first of all having carried out a factory re-set.
DFriday 9 March 2012 7:40PM
digital tv sucks balls
ive lost itv, bbc goes on the blink, and the rest of the channels are total rubbish
please turn the analogue signal back on, at least you could still watch it when the signal was weak, just fuzzy, and didnt break up and make audio glitches
MazbarFriday 9 March 2012 8:15PM
D one simple question have you had your aerial checked out if you have a problem having it checked and repaired or replaced you could have all your channels fine.StanSaturday 24 March 2012 11:58PM
I've not had CH4, CH5,ITV, E4 and the plus ones that come with them for months. Couldn't get channels even when I re-scanned with auto update. Thought it was my weak signal so bought a new expensive aerial. Still no luck. I was so fed up, today I decided to finally rectify problem or throw the TV out of the window! Resorted to taking TV and whole shabang to the bathroom for better signal. Weak signal but still NO LUCK. As I have Sky box downstairs, hooked the faulty TV to Sky box and scan channels. Swithced Sky off (via remote not the socket) and search Digital channels, forgot to put the aerial in, which meant it emptied all the channels, then scanned channels again with the aerial attached this time. All channels were scanned and stored! Whoopee! Try it yourself. No more headache. Happy days :).margaretWednesday 28 March 2012 12:19PM
Have tried the reset system but still cannot get back Channels 3,4,5 and a few others. Ariel is on roof, new only 3 years ago. Tyne tees area DH88AS postcode HELPmargaret: To get the missing channels, you need to got to the manual tune function on your receiver (assuming that it has one) and tune to channel 55.
Where is your aerial pointing? Is it pointing east north east? Or is it pointing north west?
It should be pointing east north east in order to receive the Freeview channels as only Pontop Pike is broadcasting them.
There are engineering works at Pontop Pike this week which means that digital TV is liable to interruption and analogue may be subject to weak signal (although with your close proximity I shouldn't think that will be an issue for you).
You should therefore not retune your set because when the signals come back, they will be as they were before; in the same place.
As I say, you will have to keep trying manually tuning to channel 55 until they come back. tanyaWednesday 4 April 2012 7:50PM
RM20 3AN, shared aerial as small block of flats. I get all BBC channels but nothing else. I have re-scanned and still nothing. I have an old Onn Digital box OBST01 Would I need to manually tune in the other channels?NFriday 6 April 2012 11:31AM
I lives in Middx. UB6. Purchased the basic Sat-Top Box from Curry. Tuned; unplug and re-plug everything; and re-tuned many times. All the four main channels are ok but screen stays blank on ITV. I can see it is on Channel 3 in the Channel List.
Also, do you switch off the Box after tuning?
I ask because if I don't, the picture quality is poor on all channels.
Thanks in advance.D ClatworthyFriday 13 April 2012 7:33PM
London AErial on roof but cannot get any BBC or ITV ProgrammesPam RichardsonMonday 16 April 2012 7:53PM
Barnsley Hi there, I can't get channel 20 to stay tuned into my freeview recorder.When i want to record it,i have to retune the recorder.It only happens with this one channel.
Thank you.Margaret PhillipsThursday 19 April 2012 4:15PM
Surbiton I have re-tuned (Autotuned)yesterday April 18th but after doing so, Channel 4 kept breaking up. I also got a message saying Signal was weak! C4 had always been fine up till yesterday, I noticed today that other channels in the C42 group (ITV 1, ITV2 etc) also broke up or disappeared. I autotuned once more and now I have lost this group of channels altogether! I am in Kingston area KT6 4HP small block of flats, aerial on roof. Margaret Philips: C42 is coming from Hannington (Hampshire) which is why you have poor reception.
As your aerial is directed at Crystal Palace, run the automatic tuning scan and unplug the aerial when it gets to 30%. All of Crystal Palace's channels are within the first 30% and Hannington's are after 30%. Ronald SuttonThursday 19 April 2012 5:25PM
I have retuned several times but No channels appear. The sign on the screen says, No channel found Please check aerial or local signal availability. The signal comes from ROWBRIDGE transmitter. Whats the problem?Ghassan SifriSaturday 28 April 2012 12:51PM
Since the recent switch over many TV channels disappeared such as ITV, CH4, BBC 4 etc.
I am a teacher and many of my students had the same problem with their TVs.
I keep reading its an antenna problem, weather etc. What a load of rubbish.
I haven't touched my tv connections and I updated the installation but still half the channels disappeared.
If someone have an answer to this problem please let me know.
wingyMonday 30 April 2012 11:23AM
I have no problem using any of the following Freeview boxes from Pioneer, Sony, Panasonic and Estratec albeit I have to use attenuators to step down the signal strength as I live quite close to the Crystal Palace transmitter. I tested the boxes on the same TV and roof aerial.
But then I have a Humax F2-Foxt box which no matter how many times I retuned I couldn't receive BBC4, ITV, CH4 and CH5 post 18 April 2012. I have no issues on the Humax prior.
So, is this no or bad signal issue on BBC4, ITV, Ch4 and CH5 be Freeview box related ?
AnneSaturday 12 May 2012 5:34PM
I'm having similar problems in that channels 2,4 and 5 disappeared about 3 weeks ago following a retune and despite numerous auto retunes since haven't returned. This is on a Panasonic tv and a friend has the same tv and the same tv. All the other tv's in the house have all channels. Bizarrely, today I swapped over the panasonic with my sony and the sony has all channels and the panasonic does not which implies it is the tv not the areial??AnneSaturday 12 May 2012 5:35PM
Oops meant to say channels 3,4 and 5, channel 2 is fine!jb38Saturday 12 May 2012 8:55PM
Anne: In these type of cases its always best to carry out a "factory reset" on the TV, this sometimes also called "fist time scan" as it deletes everything already stored including programme info that may contain corrupted data, then if a factory reset has been made follow this by another auto-tune, this not being necessary if a first time installation was made as it would have retuned automatically.
If this doesn't cure the problem then you will have to provide the model number of your TV a well as your post code (or one from nearby, shop etc) this info being necessary for signal checking purposes. AnneSaturday 12 May 2012 11:25PM
Thanks for the reply. I did look in the instruction booklet earlier but don't remember seeing instructions for a factory reset. I know one of the other tvs had the option of ' initial set up' but this one doesn't seem to. It did have instructions on manual tuning but only for analogue settings so I guess that doesn't apply any more. I'll have a look again tomorrow and if not post more details. The fact that another tv could get all channels when plugged in the same ariel surely implies the tv. Oh and tonight we got all channels by using the digibox with the panasonic??leeeeeTuesday 15 May 2012 1:16AM
Can I take my recordable freeview player and play recorded programs abroad leeeee: Yes, you can do that. EddThursday 24 May 2012 6:44AM
Ive just gave my mum a samsung tv for her bedroom and can only get 22 channels on the tv using autoscan but the tv down stairs can get every channel,ive swapped tvs round and its fine on the main tv but the samsung cant get itv channels and sometimes a rescan i cant get bbc channels and get itv channels,HELPjb38Thursday 24 May 2012 12:40PM
Edd: No two TV's have the same sensitivity unless they are of exactly of the same brand / model, however and although exceptions can apply, but these differences usually only show up in areas where the signal levels received are inclined to be on the low side, but though this being where its impossible to assess as to whether or not this is liable to be applicable in your case as you haven't given your location, this preferably in the form of a post code or at least one from a nearby shop or whatever.
By the way, tuners used in Samsung equipment generally demands a good level of signal for satisfactory operation. 
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What'…
Ofcom to crack down on sloppy subti…
The quality of live subtitling Impr…
Half-way mark for digital radio lis…
DTG :: News :: Talk Talk reports ne…
BBC iPlayer - Help - Frequent quest…
Aereo gets set for Atlanta debut - …
Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
Show: 
