In some locations you may have a choice of more than one service because your TV can pick up signals from more than one transmitter. This can result in an overlap in signals and different regional channels (eg BBC England instead of BBC Scotland, or BBC East Midlands instead of BBC Anglia) in your TV Guide.
One way to solve this issue is to manually retune your TV to your preferred transmitter if it is available.
How to do a manual retune
As a first step, check to see if your desired channels are appearing further down the list in the TV Guide (the 800s). If they are, make them easier to find by saving them to your ‘favourites’ list.
If you can't find the channels this way then use our Freeview Channel Checker to find a list of channels for your address and news of changes happening in your area.
Once you have verified that the channels you are looking for are available in your area, visit our Detailed Transmitter Information page and enter your address details. This will open a page containing the information you need to go through a manual retune.
Once you have these details, keep them to hand and follow the below steps:
- Using your remote control, press the menu button.
- Select the set up or installation option. If you see picture icons, select the tool box, satellite dish or spanner.
- Select manual retune or manual search.
- If you're prompted for a code, try 0000 or 1234.
- When your device asks for a channel number (frequency), type in the number provided in the Detailed Transmitter Information page relating to that channel for your most likely transmitter.
- Repeat steps 1-5 using the different numbers next to each group (a group is a bundle of TV services), to complete the manual retune. Keep the Detailed Transmitter Information page open online so you can easily get to the channel number information needed in step 5.
- Press menu or exit to finish.
These instructions should work for most Freeview TVs or boxes, but individual products do differ. If you need more help, you may have to contact the manufacturer or retailer of your device for advice.
Still not solved the problem?
If you are having problems viewing channels we can help you to fix the problem.
If the manual retune hasn't worked, or you find that your preferred region has a weaker signal and poor picture quality, read our guides in the related content section below.
Or you could get some advice from a qualified aerial installer – follow the following links to find one local to you:
- GetMeViewing (Confederation of Aerial Industries).
- GetMeDigital (Registered Digital Installers).
Remember, it's always a good idea to get more than one quote.