17-inch LCD TV Only Receives a Couple of Channels

Affected Products: Televisions
Affected Operating Systems: Not OS Dependent

ISSUE: When trying to configure the 17-inch LCD TV to work, it may only receive a couple of channels, such as channel 5 and 6. All other channels display static, as if they are not receiving a signal. This issue is only known to occur when using Comcast analog cable TV in the Chicago area, but may occur in other locations as well. This same 17-inch LCD TV may work fine using other video sources, such as digital cable TV set-top box, satellite TV set-top box, or when connected to a DVD player. Other TVs work fine when using the same coaxial cable used on the 17-inch LCD TV.

RESOLUTION: There are two resolutions to this issue, depending on which part number of TV you have.
  • Analog Cable TV provider: (For example: Comcast)
  • Channels received: (For example: Only channels 5 and 6)
  • The zip code where the TV is located: (For example: 600089)
  • Cable type: (For example: Coaxial)
  • Connection setup: (For example: List if the cable TV signal goes through a VCR and then to the TV.)
  • Cable set-top box being used? (Y/N)

Gateway 17-inch LCD TV part numbers 2800399 or 7004689:

  1. Verify that other TVs work fine when using the same coaxial cable being used on the 17-inch LCD TV. If other TVs do not work using the same cable, the 17-inch LCD TV does not have this issue, and the cable provider should be contacted for service.

  2. Set the Tuner Source to Cable rather than Air.
    1. On the remote control or the front of the TV, press the MENU button. The on-screen display (OSD) opens.
    2. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select the Other screen.
    3. Press the MENU button to access the Other screen.
    4. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select TV.
    5. Press the Channel + or Channel – button to select Cable.

  3. Use CH SCAN to add all channels that have a signal to the channel list.
    1. On the remote control or the front of your TV, press the MENU button. The OSD opens.
    2. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select the Image screen.
    3. Press the MENU button to access the Image screen.
    4. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select CH SCAN.
    5. Press the Channel + button. The TV scans and adds all channels that have a signal to the channel list.

  4. Try to manually add a channel that is supposed to work.
    1. Using the remote control, enter a channel number of a channel that is supposed to work.
    2. On the remote control or the front of your TV, press the MENU button. The OSD opens.
    3. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select the Image screen.
    4. Press the MENU button to access the Image screen.
    5. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select CH Edit.
    6. Press the Channel + button. The selected channel is included on the channel list.

  5. Try the 17-inch LCD TV in a different location or use a different coaxial cable connection. If the 17-inch LCD TV works properly, the 17-inch LCD TV does not have this issue, and the cable provider should be contacted for service.

  6. Contact the cable provider to see if they have a known problem in the area or if they can assist with this difficulty.

  7. If this does not work, contact Gateway technical support. As a workaround, connect a digital cable TV set-top box or satellite TV set-top box to the TV.

Gateway 17-inch LCD TV part number 2800594 or 7005032:

  1. Verify that other TVs work fine when using the same coaxial cable being used on the 17-inch LCD TV. If the 17-inch LCD TV works properly, the 17-inch LCD TV does not have this issue, and the cable provider should be contacted for service.

  2. Set the Tuner Source to Cable rather than Air.
    1. On the remote control or the front of the TV, press the MENU button. The OSD opens.
    2. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select the Other screen.
    3. Press the MENU button to access the Other screen.
    4. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select the TV Tuner Source.
    5. Press the Channel + or Channel – button to select Cable.

  3. Change from “Auto” scan to “HRC” or “IRC”, depending on the local cable system.
    1. On the remote control or the front of the TV, press the MENU button. The OSD opens.
    2. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select the Other screen.
    3. Press the MENU button to access the Other screen.
    4. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select the TV Cable Mode.
    5. Press the Channel + or Channel – button to select AUTO, STD, IRC, or HRC, depending on what type of signal the local cable provider transmits.

  4. Use CH SCAN to add all channels that have a signal to the channel list.
    1. On the remote control or the front of your TV, press the MENU button. The OSD opens.
    2. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select the Image screen.
    3. Press the MENU button to access the Image screen.
    4. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select CH SCAN.
    5. Press the Channel + button. The TV scans and adds all channels that have a signal to the channel list.

  5. Try to manually add a channel that is supposed to work.
    1. Using the remote control, enter a channel number of a channel that is supposed to work.
    2. On the remote control or the front of your TV, press the MENU button. The OSD opens.
    3. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select the Image screen.
    4. Press the MENU button to access the Image screen.
    5. Press the Volume > or Volume < button to select CH Edit.
    6. Press the Channel + button. The selected channel is included on the channel list.

  6. Try the 17-inch LCD TV in a different location or use a different coaxial cable connection. If the 17-inch LCD TV works properly, the 17-inch LCD TV does not have this issue, and the cable provider should be contacted for service.

  7. Contact the cable provider to see if they have a known problem in the area or if they can assist with this difficulty.