Getting no TV channels when scanning
 

I am helping a friend install a new TV and she does not have Wi-Fi, (she can’t afford it so that is not an option). She purchased a digital antenna which I hooked up via the antenna/cable input and plugged into USB port for power. Set it in front of a window and scanned for channels but get back zero channels. I have moved it to other places in the house but still no luck. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

? What type of digital antenna is it the flat flag type if so it is not what you need. Antenna required would be minimum 60 mile range or higher. Consider line of sight to TV station transmission tower the higher in home the better try attic.

OP, as well as a MINIMUM 60 mile rated antenna, there are some places in TV that have a hard time getting over the air signals. I cannot reliably get signals out of orlando (80 mile rated dB4e antenna) but can some signals out of ocala and Gainsville direction. The antenna MUST be aimed in the correct direction from my house Orlando television towers are around 117 as I recall, I do not remember the angle for Ocala.
There have been several threads about this in the past which you should be able to find using the search feature.

You need to spend at least $200 to $350 for a large attic antenna to get channels. I bought a cheap one for $15 at Best Buy, and could not receive any channels.

Definitely the wrong antenna. Like above said, will need at least a 60 mile rated one. You can use this website to see where TV towers are located. TV Fool

Look for the channels desired and then look in the at the distance and direction (azimuth). You should have a compass on your smartphone that will display magnetic north in order to determine the direction needed to point the antenna. While the channels desired may be way less than 60 miles, I'd still recommend one for that distance. The 60 mile antenna will either need to be mounted in the attic or outside as it will be somewhat large.

Attic mounted DB4E pulls in about 50 channels from Orlando. I am between 466a and 44.

I also have a DB4 in the attic. Works pretty good except for channel 9 disappearing for a week.

In the digital age, channel numbers on the set are virtual numbers. RF channels are re-mapped in most all cases now.

Every six months or so, certain channels disappear and I have to tell my set to RE SCAN.

Cheap WiFi
 

I don't know where she lives but I have quantum fiber optic for only $30 a month for 200mbps. Best deal in the villages. Check to see if it is available

Not sure that an inside antenna would get you anything this far from Orlando, where the towers are located. To have a chance at all you would need to face the antenna towards Orlando, put it as high as you possibly can, and preferably have an unobstructed view towards Orlando (a window would be best). I live in Fenny, and Orlando for me is 113 degrees on a compass (Southeast). If you have an iPhone they have a compass app included.

To have the best chance of receiving over the air signals, you need to have the antenna outside, mounted as high as possible, and pointing towards the direction of the towers. For me that is Orlando, but if you are further north and have a better view to Ocala, you can try that. I don't, so I've never tried it. That's about 330 degrees Northwest.

I have a large directional UHF antenna in my attic connected to a pre amp booster, and when I scan, I come back with 70 to 80 channels. One time I got 90! I've posted the specifics in other threads, just search on the word "antenna" in the forum search. Others have posted their thoughts as well in those forums, so good info.

Good luck, and bless you for trying to help your friend!

Make sure the TV is set to "Antenna" instead of "Cable" before scanning. I have a free RCA channel finder app that will figure where the stations are that you should be pull in and then directs you in the proper azimuth to point your antenna.

I have an iPhone also, and I can open my Compass app, but how do you know that Orlando is 113°.

Put antenna outside on the house. If she has Internet live stream.

I was able to build my set up for about $120. Large (8 ft) directional Yagi antenna in the attic with a pre-amp located where the coax cable comes out of my attic. I used the existing coax in my house to direct the signal to the desired outlet.

You can do it cheaper with one of those "all in one" antennas, but you won't have the signal reliability of what I built. Also, because the pre-amp is in the antenna, if it's in the attic it may fry come summer. I think that is what happened to mine when I went that route initially. Thus, the separate pre-amp located in the garage, not the garage attic. Hopefully that will improve it's longevity.