The type of aerial you use matters. It’s important to have an appropriate, properly aligned aerial. Freeview recommends using a rooftop aerial for best results.

You can use loft aerials or indoor aerials but you need to have good reception. The downside to using these is that they can be influenced by electrical interference from other domestic appliances.

Some shared households or flats use communal aerials, which send the signal from one aerial to multiple homes. Issues with communal aerials should be taken up with your landlord or housing association.

The position of your aerial is just as important as the aerial itself. It is best practice to point your aerial at your local transmitter. If it is out of position, you could start seeing picture problems.

Indoor aerials can be easily repositioned but repositioning roof aerials requires a local aerial specialist.

Keep an eye out for obstructions too. Things like tall trees or big buildings can block your signal. A local aerial specialist should be able to offer the best advice on what to do.

Every so often maintenance works are carried out to keep your transmitter in top condition. This might weaken your signal or interrupt your service.

Check the Freeview website to see if your transmitter is affected. 

Don’t know what transmitter you’re using? Pop your postcode into the Freeview home checker to find out.

If your area has multiple transmitters available, you can find out if there's any transmitter faults and see the signal strength of the alternative transmitters on the BBC Reception Check website.

High atmospheric pressure can negatively affect your signal, causing picture break up. You can check the BBC website to check if there is any weather affecting your signal.

If you are affected by these conditions, we do not recommend retuning as this can make things worse.

Some of us have only one transmitter available to us. Some of us however are spoilt for choice. It’s possible you could live in an area where you have multiple transmitters available to you. Meaning you’re more likely to receive your signal from the wrong transmitter. Your box lets you pick from multiple options. Try  and picking the right transmitter for you.

Not sure which transmitter you should receive your signal from? Follow these steps: 

1. Visit the Freeview website
2. Enter your postcode and door number in the checker
3. Take a note of your most likely transmitter

You can also see which transmitters are available and their Freeview signal strength from where you live on the BBC Reception Check website.

4G signals are being used more commonly now and can cause interference with your aerial. You should have been notified by post if 4G signals would affect your area.

If you’re not sure RestoreTV can tell you if you are and provide you with a 4G filter to fit onto your aerial set up.

Sometimes old or worn out cabling can affect the signal being received on the box. We would recommend trying new aerial cables as these may improve your signal.

Additional equipment can be used to help boost your signal strength or filter your signal from interference.

Aerial booster/amplifiers can be attached to your set up boosting low signal strength and quality. However it can also overload your signal. If your signal strength is too high then you can experience issues with your picture too.

Signal splitters can also reduce the signal strength to your box. Try using your box without a splitter.