The basic connection takes five minutes and one cable
To connect an antenna to a Samsung TV, plug the coaxial cable from your antenna into the port labeled ANT IN or RF IN on the back of the set. The port looks like a round socket about the size of a pencil eraser. Screw the cable connector clockwise until it stops — hand-tight is enough. Then go to your TV's input menu, select TV or Antenna, and run an auto-scan to find available channels. The TV will search for and store every broadcast signal it receives.
Most Samsung TVs have the antenna port on the back panel, but some models place it on the side. If you cannot find it, check your manual by searching "Samsung [your model number] manual" online — the model number is on a sticker on the back or inside the battery compartment of your remote.
You do not need any additional equipment, software, or setup beyond plugging in the cable and running the scan. If your antenna came with a power adapter or amplifier, connect that first, then run the cable from it to your TV.
Key Takeaways
- The antenna port on Samsung TVs is labeled ANT IN or RF IN and accepts a standard coaxial cable screwed in by hand.
- After connecting the cable, select TV or Antenna from your input menu and run an auto-scan to find all available channels in your area.
- The scan stores channels automatically — you do not need to manually enter frequencies or do anything else after the scan completes.
- If your antenna has an amplifier or power supply, connect that to power first, then run the cable to your TV.
Finding the antenna port on your specific Samsung model
Samsung places the antenna connection in different spots depending on the TV's age and size. On most sets made in the last five years, the port is on the back panel in the lower right corner, grouped with other ports like HDMI and USB. On some curved or premium models, it may be on the side panel. A few older or budget models have it on the bottom edge.
The easiest way to locate it is to look for a port that is round, about the size of a dime, and has a threaded ring around it. It will be labeled with text printed directly on the plastic. If the label is hard to read, use your phone's flashlight and look at an angle. The port accepts only a coaxial cable — it will not fit an HDMI cable or any other connector.
If you have already mounted the TV on a wall, you may need to reach behind it or use a flashlight to see the back panel. Some wall mounts allow you to pull the TV slightly forward without removing it completely.
Running the channel scan after you plug in the cable
Once the cable is connected, pick up your Samsung remote and press the Menu button (or the three horizontal lines icon on newer remotes). Navigate to Broadcasting, Channels, or TV Tuner — the exact name varies by model year. Look for an option that says Auto Tuning, Auto Program, Channel Scan, or Search for Channels.
Select that option and the TV will begin scanning. This usually takes two to five minutes. The screen will show a progress bar or a count of channels found. Do not unplug the TV or change inputs during the scan — let it run to completion. When it finishes, the TV will display the total number of channels it found and ask if you want to save them. Select Yes or OK.
After the scan, your channels are stored in the TV's memory. You can now use the up and down arrow buttons on your remote to flip through them, or press the number buttons to jump to a specific channel. If you want to rescan later — for example, if new stations launch in your area — you can run the same auto-scan again at any time.
Troubleshooting when channels do not appear after scanning
If the scan completes but shows zero channels or far fewer than you expected, the problem is usually the antenna or its position, not the TV. Move the antenna to a different location in your home — higher up, closer to a window, or away from metal objects and electronics. Then run the scan again. Even moving an antenna a few feet can make a difference.
Check that the coaxial cable is screwed in firmly at both ends. A loose connection at the TV port is the second most common reason channels disappear. Unscrew the connector, look inside the port for any bent pins or debris, and screw it back in until snug.
If you have an amplified antenna with a power adapter, make sure the adapter is plugged in and the light on the amplifier is on. Some amplifiers have a switch you must flip to set up them. If the light is off, the antenna is not amplifying the signal, and your TV will find fewer channels.
If you live in an area with very weak broadcast signals, you may genuinely receive only a handful of channels. Check a website like TVFool.com or AntennaWeb.org by entering your address — these sites show which stations broadcast in your location and how strong their signals are at your home.
Switching between antenna and other inputs
Once you have scanned channels, your antenna channels live in the TV's tuner. To watch them, press the Input button on your remote (sometimes labeled Source) and select TV or Antenna. This is different from selecting an HDMI input for a cable box or streaming device.
If you have both an antenna and a cable box or satellite box connected to your TV, you switch between them using the Input menu. The antenna channels and the cable channels are stored separately. Some Samsung TVs allow you to mix them into a single channel list, but this is optional and not necessary to watch either source.
If you want to watch antenna channels while a game or show is on cable, you can switch inputs when ready. The TV remembers which channel you were on in each input, so switching back returns you to where you left off.
Connecting an antenna to a Samsung TV with a cable box or satellite box
If you already have a cable or satellite box connected to your TV via HDMI, you can still connect an antenna. The antenna plugs into the TV's ANT IN port just like it would on any other set. You then have two separate sources: the cable or satellite box (accessed through HDMI input) and the antenna (accessed through the TV input).
Some people use an antenna to pick up local broadcast channels while keeping cable or satellite for other programming. This can reduce your monthly bill if you only subscribe to cable for non-broadcast content. The antenna and cable box do not interfere with each other — they use completely different signals and connections.
If your cable or satellite box has a built-in tuner and an antenna port of its own, you can connect the antenna to the box instead of the TV. This is less common on newer boxes, but if yours has it, connecting to the box lets you access antenna channels through the box's remote and channel guide. Check your box's manual to see if it has this port.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a special cable to connect the antenna?
No. Any standard coaxial cable works. If your antenna did not come with one, you can buy a coaxial cable at any electronics store for a few dollars. The cable itself does not affect picture quality — a cheap one works as well as an expensive one. What matters is the antenna's position and the strength of the broadcast signal in your area.
Can I connect the antenna while the TV is on?
Yes. You can plug in or unplug the antenna cable while the TV is powered on without damaging anything. However, you will need to run the auto-scan again after connecting a new antenna for the TV to find its channels.
What if my TV does not have an antenna port?
Older Samsung TVs and some newer models sold outside North America may not have a built-in tuner. If your TV has no ANT IN port, you can use an external digital converter box that has a tuner built in. The box connects to your antenna and then to your TV via HDMI, and you control it with its own remote.
Will connecting an antenna affect my cable or satellite service?
No. The antenna and cable or satellite box use different signals and ports. Connecting an antenna does not change how your cable or satellite works. You straightforward have two separate sources you can switch between using your remote's Input button.
How often do I need to rescan for channels?
You only need to rescan if broadcast stations in your area change, which happens rarely. If a new local station launches or an existing one stops broadcasting, you can run the scan again to update your channel list. Most people scan once when they first set up the antenna and never need to do it again.