NOW box says the channel map is empty and won't let me upload any either.

[Lodge]

My NOW box was a gift and we only use it for terrestrial and catch-up TV free of charge. We've had it about four years. Today the TV tells me the channel map is empty, but it won't allow me to answer Yes to the request to start uploading the channels. So nothing happens and we can't watch TV on our TV set. Help!!!

[gavs82008 · Accepted solution]

@Lodge 

Don’t own this device so it’s guess work. Is this what your performing? 
https://help.nowtv.com/article/how-do-i-retune-my-now-smart-box

Is the box software fully updated?

https://help.nowtv.com/article/troubleshooting-now-box-stick

You could try setting it back to factory settings to see if that sorts it?

https://help.nowtv.com/article/hard-factory-reset-now-box-stick

[Lodge]

Hello,

Thanks for sending some options.  Nothing has worked yet!  I'll keep trying.

[schnapps]

Hi @Lodge 

Are you using the NOW Freeview Smart box with the NOW blue logo on the top of the box casing ?

I know there is a major reshuffle on the over the air Freeview channels via a TV aerial on the 26th of January 2022.

Have you checked the TV aerial on the back of the NOW box hasn't come loose ?

Also what happens if you press the back button on the NOW Remote can you access the channel TV rescan option down the LHS of the television screen ?

You may have to factory reset the box by flipping it over and underneath the bottom of the box there is a small reset button which you need to press for around 15 to 20 seconds whilst powered up.

If you have to go through the factory reset option, you will have to setup the box again from.scratch and if you have asked NOW to remove your NOW account /card details you may have to add them again.

If your details are still on their database, just use your existing login details on the box.

[Lodge]

Hello,

Thanks very much for your useful comments.   I put my replies in caps next to them.

Are you using the NOW Freeview Smart box with the NOW blue logo on the top of the box casing ?  YES

I know there is a major reshuffle on the over the air Freeview channels via a TV aerial on the 26th of January 2022.  USEFUL TO KNOW

Have you checked the TV aerial on the back of the NOW box hasn't come loose ?  YES AND IT SEEMS FINE TO ME.

Also what happens if you press the back button on the NOW Remote can you access the channel TV rescan option down the LHS of the television screen ?  I HAVE TO USE THE LG TV REMOTE, BUT WHEN I SET IT TO AUTOTUNE, IT SAYS IT CAN’T FIND ANY CHANNELS, SO I’M NO FURTHER.

You may have to factory reset the box by flipping it over and underneath the bottom of the box there is a small reset button which you need to press for around 15 to 20 seconds whilst powered up.  I TRIED THAT AND IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE THAT I COULD SEE;  THE MESSAGES WERE STILL THE SAME.

If you have to go through the factory reset option, you will have to setup the box again from.scratch and if you have asked NOW to remove your NOW account /card details you may have to add them again.  I STILL HAVE AN ACCOUNT - I THINK/HOPE

[schnapps]

Hi @Lodge 

Is the TV aerial going direct into the NOW Box or are you splitting the incoming TV signal with the inbuilt TV tuner on the back of your LG television with something like a Y splitter ?

[Lodge]

Hello,

Direct into the NOW box.

[schnapps]

Hi @Lodge 

If you plug the aerial straight into the back of the LG television bypassing the NOW box (assuming the LG TV has an inbuilt Freeview tuner) are you getting the full channels, just in case there is an issue with the reception or your local transmitter is under maintenance etc ?

See if this website is showing any current TV transmission problems in your region.

https://www.freeview.co.uk/corporate/platform-management/planned-engineering-works 

Should you have a Y splitter, see if that helps with the NOW box, because it might pick up another weaker signal TV transmitter in your area if there are two transmitters / relays overlapping.

This has occasionally helped a couple of NOW Freeview Smart box owners in the past, just to get some channels on the box.

Normally for me factory resetting my NOW Freeview Smart box and after setting up the box again from scratch and re scanning the TV Freeview channels normally works for me (no idea why it's not working for you if you have a functioning TV aerial with a good reception).

Saying that i don't use my NOW Freeview Smart box anymore to see if i am getting a similar message on screen.

[Lodge]

Thanks. I’ll try that when I’ve finished watching TV on my MAC!

[Lodge]

Hello,

I put the aerial lead into the TV and then I could upload all the programmes (no Catchup, though).  The programmes I tried worked perfectly well.  I then put the aerial lead back in the NOW box and this time I got the programme number top left with the message "No signal".  So it's still not working right, but at least the channels are back on the TV.