How to Fix Poor Reception

You’re sitting in front of the TV, watching the best movie of all time, perhaps. You laugh, you cry and you begin to wonder if this film could somehow be required watching for planet Earth. Then, something annoying happens  the sound starts going in and out so that you start missing whole sentences (what’d she say?). The picture becomes choppy and distorted, causing you to guess if that brown zigzag is a tree or a horse and buggy. And you know what’s coming next: complete blackness. Before you completely give up on the movie and resort to reading, let’s run through a few quick tips that might fix the TV reception.

Since all televisions in the U.S. now require a digital converter (to comply with the new DTV standards) we’ll start with this category first. If for some reason your picture stops showing up or is periodically fuzzy, check that all wires are attached. Simple, yes  but more than one movie was ruined because somehow the TV and digital converter box’s wires were either loose or completely detached. After the wires are confirmed to be in place, adjust the antennae. Typically, the antennae should be as close to the window as possible and you might need to purchase a cord extender to make that happen. Also, if you think your indoor digital tv antenna is the culprit you can always purchase an outdoor one (though they cost more money). For more tips or questions, the FCC has a webpage dedicated to digital converter FAQs.

Like those of a digital converter, cable and satellite signals are transmitted through the air, but they are slightly different when it comes to fixing poor reception. For cable, the wires should also be double-checked to ensure connectivity between the cable box and the TV; while checking the wires, they should be felt for bends and the copper pins at the end should be looked at for any curvature. If the wires are all in order, the next step is to check where the cable enters the home for corrosion. After those inspections have been completed, to no avail, it might be time to give yourself a pep-talk and contact the cable service provider.

Where satellite deviates from cable is when it comes to checking the equipment. With cable you check the wires, box and connectors; with satellite you monitor your surroundings and examine the dish. Some appliances can interfere with satellite signals, so check for radios or microwaves whose frequencies might coincide with a scrambled TV picture. If those are deemed innocent, it’s time to look at the dish itself. Go wherever your dish is located (unless it’s perched precariously on the roof) and inspect it for proper alignment ensuring the elements have not blown it askew. Then, check the dish for signs of nature’s wrath and survey the area around it for wayward debris that might be blocking a steady signal. If no solution is found, the satellite company should be notified.

It’s important to note that if temperamental weather has moved into your area, then your cable, satellite or digital signals might be affected (with no recourse other than to wait the weather out). Under these circumstances, there’s nothing a service provider can do. But, if you’re noticing constant, unexplained service interruptions then it might be time to switch providers. In that case, we at The Cable Study have the facts you need. On our site, we list the cable, satellite and everything-in-between providers that operate within the United States. Here you can search by your state to find companies in your specific area. We also provide you with a brief synopsis of each company, along with a catalog of the services they provide.