LG 42LG30 TV will not scan in DTV stations

Most LCD tv's built in the last 4 years are HD compatible. Most cheaper brands tv's are 720 HD and some are full HD 1080 a little more money. Since their is no more analog broadcast as June 2009 all tv's manufactured around 2006 started incorperating the digital tuner (DTV) along with the analog so that the tv would still receive analog broadcast while the digital transistion was ongoing. All tv's with a Cathode Ray Tube (glass picture tube) are not HD compatible. First you will have 1 or 2 ports on the tv ethier on the side panel or rear panel of the set. They a marked HDMI 1 HDMI 2 or HDMI A HDMI B. If you have these ports your set is Hd Compatible. You may also need to upgrade your cable or satelllite equipment and subscribe to a HD package to be able to get HD service. You will need a HDMI cable to connect your cable or satellite receiver to the HDMI port on you tv. Call your local cable or satellite provider for options to upgrade to HD. Most over the air broadcast stations depending on your area transmit some stations in HD free of charge. A good quality outdoor antenna works best to give you stable signal. You may need to change the settings of the tv as some sets default to the 480i this is the standard digital signal.

If you are receiving a "No Signal" error message, verify that:

1. All of the cables physically connected to the TV and the input device are secure.
2. The input device is turned on.

Your TV needs to scan for channels before it can show programming from an antenna, from cable TV when the cable comes directly from the wall (no cable box), or from a cable or satellite box connected to the TV with a coaxial (RF) cable. Do not scan for channels if you have a cable or satellite box connected using AV (Composite), Component, or HDMI cables. The box selects the channel, not the tuner inside your television. If you are not using the "TV" input, press the INPUT button on your remote until the correct input mode is selected.
To perform a channel scan using the coaxial input:

1. Press the INPUT button on your remote to view your current input source. The TV (coaxial cable) input must be selected. This may appear as "TV," "ANT," or the channel and call letters of a station.
2. If the TV input is not selected, press INPUT until the TV input mode is selected.
3. Open the on-screen menu and select TV or Tuner option. (This varies by model.)
4. Highlight Tuner Mode and select the correct option:
   • Antenna-over-the air signals from an antenna
   • Cable-direct from the wall cable TV, or a cable or satellite box connected to the TV with coaxial cable
5. Select Auto Search or Auto Channel Scan. (This varies by model.)
6. When the search reaches 100% complete, exit to the menu.
7. Check the available channels:
   • Antenna or direct-from-wall cable-Press the Channel Up and Channel Down buttons on your VIZIO TV remote to view the available channels.
   • Cable or satellite box- Will return only one channel. Use the cable or satellite remote's Channel Up and Channel Down buttons.

If this does not resolve the issue, power cycle the TV and then re-run the channel scan:

1. Turn off the TV.
2. Unplug the TV from the electrical outlet.
3. While the TV is unplugged from the wall, press and hold the Power button on the TV for 30 seconds.
4. Release the power button.
5. Plug the TV back into the electrical outlet.
6. Turn on the TV.

Note: There is also an option to reset the TV to the factory default settings. This option is in either the SETUP or SYSTEM section of the on-screen menu. The option may be "Reset all settings", "System Reset," or "Reset & Admin." Consult your TV's user manual for the location and steps for resetting your model.

1. Remove the coaxial cable from the DTV/TV connector on the back of your television and perform a channel scan to clear the existing channels. See the procedure above. This should not find any channels.
2. Re-attach the coaxial cable to the DTV/TV connector and perform a new channel scan.

This video shows troubleshooting steps to use when a "No signal" message appears.

Tv is hook up to cable tv or free DTV air broadcasting?Have a good antenna source hook up or cable or satellite signals.Go into the tv menu go to SETUP.Go down to CH. press enter pick Cable or Air.Enter for scanning,after it done scanning will get all free DTV air or cable broadcasting channels stations signals.

Do you have the antenna aimed correctly and the correct antenna for the distance between your location and the stations? Check antennaweb.org and tvfool.com for the directions to the stations you should be able to receive. Antennaweb assumes an external antenna and is very conservative in the station list. TVfool gives the stations you should get with various different types of antennas. Tall trees and buildings will block signal strength so consider the environment around you.

With digital signals, if you do not have enough signal strength for a given tuner, the channel will not come in. An amplifier may help you get the signal, particularly if the signal is shared to several devices. Failure of an amplifier or lightning surge protection can stop the signal from reaching the TV. A surge through the antenna can damage the tuner.

A damaged cable can also be a source of a problem. Check the outside portion of the wire as well as the interior wires. Replace any that have damaged insulation or ends.

For this TV, if you have done a channel scan with the TV set to the Input TV/DTV, and the Signal Source set to Antenna. Turn the antenna and then set the Additional Scan to On. (Menu > TV > Channels > Additional Scan.) Then do another channel scan.

If you need a copy of the manual, see: http://www.vizio.com/m220va.html#support .

Have a good antena hook up.Goto ur tv menu.Goto SETUP,go down to CH.PICK AIR press enter.Now ur tv is scanning for free DTV air chanels.After this is done,u will have free air DTV.

Buy a digital antana have the best signal for free airal tv broacast.

It is meant for Rabbit Ears or Outside Antenna Only.....

you probably need a digital converter box

Try the recommendations in a document posted on the FCC site (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-291403A1.doc)

Also be aware the several stations have had problems with the transition. Some changed frequencies on which they were transmitting and encountered area coverage issues that didn't meet their expectations. They have been working with the FCC to remedy the problems and many stations have temporarily increased output power to compensate for the issues. Some of these stations may be difficult to receive and you may need to get larger antenna. If you are still having problems call the FCC DTV transition hotline at 1-888-CALLFCC (1-888-225-5322) or the TV station for advice.

I don't know where you live or what TV stations are available, but many stations have already changed to digital before the new deadline. If the TV is still in good operating condition, I would get a converter rather than purchase a new set. You can still get a coupon at: http://www.dtv.gov/getcoupon.html

Good luck and thanks for using Fixya.