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If CBS or another over-the-air channel has disappeared, first make sure your TV is set to its antenna or Live TV input, then rescan for channels. If that does not restore it, check the coax connection and try the antenna in a higher or less obstructed position, rescanning after each change. A scan refreshes the channel list; it cannot create a signal your home does not receive.

First, confirm you are watching over the air

These steps are for a TV receiving broadcasts through an antenna. They do not apply to a cable or satellite lineup. Check that the TV is on its Antenna, TV, or Live TV input—not an HDMI input or a streaming app—and that the coaxial cable runs from the antenna to the TV’s antenna or RF input. Menu and input names vary by model.

Reception depends on your location, terrain, distance from transmitters, antenna placement, home construction, and equipment. Roku Support summarizes the location and placement factors in its antenna setup and troubleshooting guidance.

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Rescan the TV’s channel list

A scan can restore a channel when the TV’s saved lineup is stale, including after a station changes its transmission or frequency. Look in the TV’s channel, tuner, or broadcast setup menu for Scan, Rescan, Auto-tune, or Auto-program. Follow the TV’s manual if the labels or steps differ. PBS’s rescan instructions are for antenna viewers; cable and satellite subscribers generally do not need to rescan for an over-the-air station frequency change.

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  1. Open the TV’s channel or tuner setup menu.
  2. Choose the option to scan for antenna or broadcast channels.
  3. Let the scan finish, then check whether the missing station appears.

If the scan finds no channels or the station is still absent, continue with the physical checks below rather than assuming the broadcaster is off air.

Check the cable, antenna position, and amplifier

Inspect the coax connection

Make sure the coaxial cable is firmly connected at both ends and that the connector and cable show no visible damage. If damage is suspected, testing with a known-good cable is a reasonable next step; replacing equipment without evidence of a fault may not help.

Try a different antenna position

Move the antenna higher, nearer a window, or away from obstructions such as large objects or walls where practical. If you know the direction of nearby broadcast towers, try orienting the antenna that way. Rescan after each move so you can tell whether the change helped. If your TV displays signal strength or quality, compare positions using that indicator. Roku Support and a hosted antenna quick-start guide both recommend experimenting with placement and scanning again.

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Check an amplified antenna

If your antenna uses an amplifier, verify that its power supply is connected and working. An amplifier is not an automatic fix: near broadcast towers, a strong signal can overload a TV tuner. If reception is poor, compare results with the amplifier disconnected, if your setup permits it.

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Check for a local station change or reception limitation

A missing channel can reflect a stale scan, a weak or unavailable signal at your address, a connection or equipment problem, or a station-specific transmission change. The available evidence does not establish the current status of any particular CBS affiliate without your location and the station’s call sign.

Check the broadcaster’s current notices and a location-based reception resource. CBS 58 points viewers to the FCC’s DTV reception map for address- or ZIP-based information in its antenna rescan guidance. Verify any local change directly rather than assuming a station is on air, off air, or moving channels.

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When a deeper reset or replacement makes sense

Try a reset only if ordinary scans fail

CBS 58 describes a deeper reset for some TV sets: disconnect the antenna, scan with no antenna attached, unplug the TV for about 30 seconds, reconnect the antenna, and scan again. This is model-dependent guidance, not a universal first step. Check your TV’s manual before using it.

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Replace only what inspection points to

If the cable or connector is damaged, a replacement coaxial cable addresses that fault. Consider another antenna only if the existing one is damaged, unsuitable for your reception conditions, or cannot be positioned effectively. Compare the local predicted signal and broadcast band with your installation constraints, such as indoor versus attic or outdoor placement. An antenna’s advertised range does not establish that it will receive a specific CBS station at your address, and buying equipment cannot overcome an unavailable local signal.

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