Sony's Bravia XR X90L treats an antenna as a TV input in its Google TV system, and the helpful tools for fixing reception are in Sony's own menus. Plug the antenna into the RF jack, then open Settings, Channels and inputs, Channels, and choose Auto program or Channel setup, selecting Antenna and then Auto scan for the digital channels. Sony's setup lets you run the scan again at any time, and the channel list is edited under the same menu, where you can hide, rename and reorder stations.
The checks in more detail
The signal quality screen in the channel setup shows the strength and quality of the current channel, and the two numbers can differ: strength is how loud the signal is, while quality shows how clean it is, and a high strength with low quality means interference or overloading rather than a weak signal. That difference is the key to a Sony fix. A low strength means the antenna is too far from the towers or poorly aimed, so move it higher, nearer a window, and aim it with the meter.
A good strength with poor quality suggests multipath, where reflections from buildings reach the antenna out of step, and rotating or moving the antenna a short distance can cure it; it also suggests overload from a close tower or a booster, so remove an amplifier and see whether the quality improves. Use a short, good cable and keep the antenna away from the TV's back panel, where electronics make noise. The X90L has full-array local dimming and a powerful processor, none of which affects the tuner.
After you rescan, the channels appear in the Live area of the Google TV home screen. If the Live guide shows nothing, check that the TV is online and clear the Live Channels app's data. A TV that was moved to a new town needs a new scan, since the channel list is local. Update the TV in Settings, System, About, System software update. If the tuner finds nothing from an antenna that works on another TV, contact Sony support with the model number and serial number.
Differential
Likely causes of “Sony X90L Full Array LED TV cannot find antenna channels”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
High strength but poor quality
What separates it A strong meter reading with pixelation
How to confirm Rotate the antenna to avoid reflections or remove an amplifier
- 2
Low signal strength
What separates it The meter reading is weak
How to confirm Move the antenna higher and toward the towers
- 3
An old channel list after a move
What separates it Local stations are missing
How to confirm Run a fresh auto scan
- 4
A blank Live guide
What separates it No program data
How to confirm Check the internet link and clear the Live Channels data
- 5
Interference from the TV itself
What separates it Noise near the back panel
How to confirm Move the antenna away
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The strength and quality readings
- Whether an amplifier is used
- Whether the TV was moved to a new area
- Whether the Live guide has data
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedOpen Channel setup
ReversibleIn Channels and inputs.
Read strength and quality
ReversibleBoth numbers.
Rotate or move the antenna
ReversibleTo reduce reflections.
Remove an amplifier
ReversibleIf quality is poor.
Run Auto scan
ReversibleAfter each change.
Clear Live Channels data
ReversibleIf the guide is blank.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Two readings
- Strength and quality tell different things.
- Multipath
- Reflections cause pixelation.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the tuner finds nothing from an antenna that works on another TV, contact Sony with the model number
- !If quality stays low, ask an installer to check for multipath
- !Update the TV first
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What is the difference between strength and quality?+
Strength is how loud the signal is, quality how clean it is.
Why is quality low with strong signal?+
Reflections or an overloaded booster.
Do I rescan after moving?+
Yes.
Where do channels show?+
In the Live area of the home screen.