Your Roku TV can stream your favorite apps, show free live channels, and connect to your cable or satellite box. If you’re trying to set up your TV, this guide will walk you through everything step by step.
What you need
- An HDTV antenna
- A power source for the antenna (usually included with antenna)
- A coaxial cable (usually included with antenna)
- Your Roku TV must be connected to the internet to complete setup and use Live TV features
Set up free over-the-air channels (antenna)
- Connect the coaxial cable from your antenna to the Ant/Cable In port on the back of your Roku TV
Connect your antenna to a power outlet or USB power source
- Press the Home
button on your Roku remote - Select Live TV
- Follow the on-screen steps to scan channels. (The scan may take a few minutes.)
- If “Live TV” doesn’t appear on your home screen, go to Settings > TV inputs > Live TV > Set up input.
Note: The number of channels you receive depends on your location and the antenna's positioning. You can try placing it near a window or higher up for better reception.
Troubleshooting antenna channels
If your Roku TV does not find antenna channels or channels disappear after a scan, work through the steps below in order.
Check the coax connection
Make sure the coaxial cable from your antenna is firmly connected to the Ant/Cable In port on the back of your Roku TV. A loose connection is the most common reason no channels appear. Also check the cable itself for bent or broken connectors, sharp bends, fraying, or outdoor wear. Try a different coax cable and scan again if you suspect damage.
Scan or rescan for channels
Go to Settings > TV inputs > Live TV then Scan for channels. Wait for the scan to finish. It may take several minutes. If you moved your antenna, run Scan for channels again, even if you scanned before.
Place the antenna higher
Near a window, and facing your local towers when possible.
Move the antenna away
From thick interior walls, metal, concrete, large buildings, or anything else that can block the signal. Place the antenna as high as you can.
Move the antenna a few feet away
From Wi-Fi routers, LED bulbs, baby monitors, cellular boosters, and large metal appliances.
Note: If you use an amplified antenna, make sure the amplifier is plugged in and powered on. An unpowered amplifier can block the signal. If you live close to broadcast towers, try disconnecting the amplifier, then scan again. A signal that is too strong can overload the TV tuner.
Watch cable or satellite TV
If you already have a cable or satellite receiver, you can connect it directly to your Roku TV.
To connect it:
- Turn off both your Roku TV and your cable/satellite box.
- Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the cable/satellite box.
- Plug the other end into an open HDMI port on the back of your Roku TV.
- Turn both devices back on.
- Using your Roku remote, go to the Home > select the Input that matches the one you used (for example, HDMI 1 or HDMI 2).
You should now see your cable or satellite picture. If you see “No Signal,” double-check that the cable is fully connected and that you’ve selected the right input.
Note: Some cable systems allow you to connect the coax cable directly to the Ant/Cable In port and scan channels, but many still require a cable box.
How to switch between Roku and cable/satellite
Once everything is set up, you can easily switch between streaming on Roku and watching your cable or satellite box.
On a Roku TV
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- From the main screen, move down to Inputs
- You’ll see a list such as:
- Live TV (for antenna or cable directly connected)
- HDMI 1 (Cable/Satellite Box)
- HDMI 2 (Roku Player or another device)
- Highlight the input you used for satellite/cable (for example, HDMI 1)
- Press OK
to switch instantly.
With a Roku Streaming Player
If you’re using a Roku Streaming Stick or player connected to your TV, you’ll switch to satellite/cable using yourTV’s remote, not the Roku remote.
- Find the Input or Source button on your TV remote.
- Press it until you see what you want:
- Cable/Satellite: stop when your cable picture appears.
- Roku: stop when the Roku home screen appears.
- Each press changes the input (for example: HDMI 1, HDMI 2, TV)
View program listings
To see what is on live broadcast TV (antenna) or free shows on The Roku Channel:
Press Home
on your Roku remote.Press Left on the directional pad and select Live TV. You can also select Live TV from the Home screen.
The guide shows antenna and streaming channels. It does not show cable or satellite listings from a separate cable box; use your cable provider’s guide for those channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
I connected my cable box, but Roku TV says “No Signal.”
Make sure the HDMI cable is fully plugged in and that you’ve selected the correct HDMI input. If that doesn’t work, try a different HDMI port or cable.
How do I get back to Roku streaming after watching cable on my Roku TV?
Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
I keep pressing the Roku remote, but nothing happens when I’m on cable.
That’s normal. The Roku remote only controls Roku TV functions. To control your cable or satellite box, use the remote that came with that box.
My antenna is connected but no channels show up.
Go to Home > Live TV > Scan for channels. Try repositioning the antenna and scanning again if you still don’t see results.
Last updated at 5/27/2026 5:00:10 PM
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