You may be unlucky enough to have a small problem when you first switch to digital. Here are some common problems….
For anything else, you should check your TV and digital box manuals or call our helpline on 0845 6 50 50 50.
What are scart plugs and scart cables?
A scart cable connects your digital box or recorder to your TV set. A scart plug is the part that plugs into the digital box, recorder or TV set – it looks a bit like an electricity plug. Both the cable and the plug are very important
List of Common Problems
I just get a blank screen |
Check that all the cables are properly connected and all the plugs are switched on. If a scart cable is connected, make sure you select the right AV channel on the TV – usually the “0” or “AV” button. If you are not using a scart cable, you can tune in a spare TV button to the digital box signal – usually the “6” button If there is no change, there is probably a problem with your aerial and you should get it checked out. |
I am missing some BBC, ITV or Channel 4 channels (such as BBC3 BBC4, More 4, ITV 3) |
You probably have the wrong type of aerial. Get your aerial checked out. |
There are some channels I can’t get (not BBC, ITV or Channel 4 channels) |
Some channels (such as Eurosport, UK Gold and Sky Sports) are only available if you select a pay TV option such as Top Up TV or Sky. |
There is only a blank screen I have lost channels The channels are freezing There is a cracking sound There is a mosaic effect on the screen |
These all usually indicate a problem with your aerial. Get your aerial checked out. Before you call in an aerial installer, you can check yourself if the aerial is horizontally aligned and that it has either a green or black plastic cap on the aerial front. If there is no change, call a reputable aerial installer – look for the digital logo. |
My picture just appears in a single colour |
One of your scart plugs is probably not properly plugged in. Check all the scart cable connections and plug them in again. If there is no change, look at the scart plug itself. If the pins do not stick out to the same length it will need replacing. You will need to buy a new scart cable. Select a fully wired, individual screen version. |
There are lines / another image behind my picture |
The scart cable you are using is probably poor quality. Select a fully wired, individual screen version . |
I have no sound |
If you had good sound before, then the scart plugs are probably not plugged in properly. Check all the scart cable connections and plug them in again. If there is no change, check that the mute button is not turned on. If it is, a symbol will usually appear on screen |
I have black bands above and below all the pictures on all channels. All the pictures on all channels look stretched. |
The picture maybe in “widescreen mode”. All TV sets will have a different way to select and deselect this option so check your manual Some channels, such as music channels, use black bands for artistic effect. |
I can’t see some of the channels listed on the menu |
Some are pay TV channels (such as UK Gold, Eurosport). Other channels (such as BBC3, BBC4, More 4, CBeebies) only transmit during certain hours. |
I can’t get Classic FM |
Classic FM is only available on Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) radios. DAB radios provide extra radio stations to those that you will get on your digital TV box. |
