TV Antenna Not Working? Here’s How to Tell if It’s Time to Upgrade

May 21, 2025

Tyson Orth

Television remains a mainstay of home entertainment – whether it’s catching the news, live sports, or your Favorite free-to-air shows. But when your TV antenna isn’t pulling its weight, watching TV becomes an exercise in frustration. If you’ve been dealing with a “no signal” message or blocky, freezing video, you might be wondering if your antenna has kicked the bucket. How do you know when it’s time to upgrade or replace your TV antenna? In this article, we’ll walk through the telltale signs of a failing or outdated antenna and what you can do about it.

Signs Your Antenna May Need an Upgrade

Not sure if the antenna is the culprit for your TV troubles? Look for these common symptoms of antenna issues:

1. No Signal or Slow Startup: One of the clearest signs of a deteriorating antenna is when your TV struggles to find a signal at all. If every time you turn on the TV it spends several seconds (or minutes) “searching for signal” before anything shows up, that’s a red flag upside-down.com.au. A healthy antenna should deliver a signal almost instantly when the TV is on. Prolonged searching or a “No Signal” error on startup means your antenna could be on its last legs.

2. Frequent Picture Freezing or Pixelation: Does the image on your TV break into squares (pixelate) or freeze, especially when the weather’s a bit off or randomly even on clear days? Occasional pixelation in stormy weather is one thing, but if you’re seeing digital artifacts and freezing regularly, it likely indicates the antenna isn’t consistently picking up a strong signal. Digital TV doesn’t get “snowy” like the old analog days – instead, weak signal shows up as jerky video or sound dropouts. Persistent issues in this department usually point to an antenna problem (either the antenna itself or possibly the cabling from it).

3. Missing Channels: Perhaps you always used to get 30+ channels, but now only 10 or 15 are coming through, or some of your local channels have vanished. If channels you once received perfectly are now gone or very spotty, that’s a likely sign your antenna is struggling. It might be due to changes in broadcast frequencies (rare, but possible) or, more commonly, the antenna or its cable has degraded to the point that it can’t pick up certain channels reliably anymore.

4. Visible Damage or Wear: Take a pair of binoculars and have a safe look at your rooftop antenna (or call a professional to inspect it). Visible physical damage is a sure sign it’s time for a new one. Look for elements that are bent or broken off, rust on the metal, or a mast that’s leaning. Australia’s weather can be harsh – years of sun, wind, and rain can corrode connections and elements. If your antenna has missing pieces or rusted parts, its performance will suffer. Likewise, check the antenna cable that runs into your house – if it’s cracked, frayed, or loose, that could be the cause of signal loss (and you’ll want that cable replaced during an upgrade).

5. It’s Ancient (10+ years old and analog-era): Age by itself isn’t always a deal-breaker (some antennas last 15-20 years), but technology has changed. Australia phased out analog TV broadcasts in 2013 upside-down.com.au. If your antenna is a relic from the analog era, it may not be optimized for the digital frequencies now in use. Older “rabbit ears” or antennas designed solely for VHF might miss out on some digital UHF channels. Additionally, an old antenna installed decades ago could be deteriorating internally. If you know your antenna predates the digital TV transition, it’s worth considering an upgrade to a modern “digital ready” antenna that covers all current broadcast bands.

Why Antennas Fail or Become Obsolete

Understanding why your antenna might be failing can help inform your upgrade decision

Wear and Tear: Exposure to the elements is the number one antenna killer. Sunlight can degrade plastic components and coaxial cables, rainwater can seep into connectors, and wind can physically loosen the antenna mount or knock elements out of alignment. Over a decade or more on the roof, even a good antenna will show signs of wear. Connections may corrode (reducing signal), and amplifiers (if your system has one) can fail over time.

Digital Broadcast Changes: While less common, occasionally broadcasters might adjust their transmission power or frequencies. If you were barely pulling in a station before and they made a change, you might lose it completely. New channels could open on frequencies your current antenna isn’t great at receiving. Modern antennas are built to capture a wide range of frequencies with gain specifically tuned for digital signals.

Interference and New Obstructions: Have you had new construction spring up around your area? A new high-rise down the street or even a neighbour’s big renovation could introduce obstacles that block your antenna’s line-of-sight to the broadcast tower upside-down.com.au. Trees also grow over the years – that sapling 10 years ago might be a giant gum tree now partially blocking signals. If the environment around you changed, an antenna re-position or upgrade (maybe a taller mast or more directional antenna) might be needed to compensate.

Inadequate Past Installations: Sometimes the issue isn’t the antenna age but how it was set up. Perhaps the antenna was never the right type for your area to begin with (e.g., using a small indoor antenna in a fringe reception area), or the coaxial cabling used was subpar. If you’ve moved into a new place and the antenna has never worked well, it could simply be the wrong kind or poorly installed originally. In such cases, an upgrade to the proper hardware and a professional installation can solve problems.

Upgrade Options and What to Expect

If you’ve determined it’s time to upgrade your antenna, what are your options? Here’s a quick guide:

Modern Digital Antenna: In reality, a “digital” antenna is just a good UHF/VHF antenna. Marketing aside, any antenna that reliably picks up the needed frequency range will work for digital TV. However, newer antennas might be more compact and tuned for the current channel allocations. Upgrading to a new high-quality antenna can dramatically improve your signal, especially if your old one was damaged or inferior. A professional installer will ensure it’s the correct type (directional vs. multi-directional) for your location and pointed precisely at the broadcast towers..

Signal Amplifiers (Boosters): If you’re in a weak signal area or splitting the signal to multiple TVs, an amplifier might help. These can be masthead amplifiers (installed near the antenna) to boost the signal right at the source, or distribution amplifiers (near your TV or splitter) to give a little oomph. Beware though: amplifiers won’t fix a bad antenna or wiring – they only increase a signal that’s already being captured. If your antenna is busted, amp-ing a poor signal won’t magically clear it up (in fact, it can amplify the noise too). Amplifiers are best used in tandem with a good antenna when needed.

Re-Cabling and Splitter Upgrades: When upgrading an antenna, it’s wise to also check the cabling and splitters in your TV system. Old or water-damaged coaxial cable can severely degrade signal. Replacing it with new quad-shield coax ensures minimal loss from roof to TV. Similarly, older splitters (or having too many splitters chained) can weaken signals to each TV. A new splitter or distribution system might be installed so each TV outlet gets a strong feed. This is especially relevant in multi-room setups.

Consideration of Alternatives: We’d be remiss not to mention alternatives to over-the-air antenna TV. If broadcast reception is a nightmare in your location (due to geography or lack of line-of-sight to towers), options include streaming live TV over the internet or getting cable/Foxtel services. However, these come with ongoing subscription costs and bandwidth usage. For most, a one-time antenna fix is worth it to continue enjoying free-to-air TV reliably without monthly fees. Streaming also relies on your internet – so a solid antenna is a nice independent system for live content (and doesn’t eat into your data cap).

Professional Assessment – Know Before You Climb

Diagnosing antenna issues can be tricky. Is it the antenna, the cable, the TV’s tuner, or something else? Rather than guess (or climbing onto a dangerous roof yourself), you can have a professional antenna technician test your setup. They use signal meters to measure the strength and quality of signals coming from your antenna. This can pinpoint if, say, the antenna is only picking up very weak signal (indicating an upgrade needed) or if perhaps the antenna is fine, but a cable connector is faulty.

In many cases, a quick service call can save you a lot of hassle – the technician might find that a simple fix (like replacing a corroded connector or re-aligning the antenna) solves the issue, if not, they’ll advise on the best replacement antenna for your area. Given that TV antennas can last a decade or more, it’s worth investing in the right solution now and enjoying trouble-free TV for years.

Get Back to Enjoying TV – We Can Help

There’s nothing worse than missing the big game or the season finale of a show because your TV signal went on the fritz. If any of the signs above sound familiar, it’s time to take action. Upgrading your TV antenna can restore the crystal-clear channels you’re meant to get – and you might even discover new channels once your reception improves.

Need help with a faulty antenna or advice on an upgrade?

Nexa Data Solutions has you covered. We provide expert TV antenna inspections, installations, and upgrades. Our team will ensure you’re getting the strongest signal possible, using quality digital-ready antennas and components. Don’t let a bad antenna keep you in the dark – contact Nexa Data Solutions today. We’ll get you back to enjoying your Favorite programs in no time, no more pixelation or dropouts. Enjoy TV the way it’s meant to be: clear, reliable, and hassle-free!