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Popular Topics.
Explore support articles by topic to get the most out of your free TV experience with Tablo.
Get step-by-step instructions and tips to get started watching free TV with Tablo.
Find out how to watch Tablo content on compatible smart TVs, streaming sticks and mobile devices.
Dive into the features and options within the Tablo app.
Get connectivity troubleshooting and networking tips.
Get tips for optimizing your TV antenna setup and resolve common signal reception issues.
Get how-to instructions and recommendations for increasing recording space with an external hard drive.
Quick fixes for common issues.
These simple troubleshooting steps can help get you back to enjoying free TV with Tablo.
My Tablo won't connect or can't be found by the app.
If you’ve already set up your Tablo, trying one or more of these basic troubleshooting steps can help resolve connectivity problems.
Steps
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Check your Tablo’s LED.If the LED light on your Tablo is solid blue, it is connected to your network. If the light is flashing or off, additional troubleshooting is required.
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Reboot your Tablo.Quickly press and release the white reset button on the bottom of the unit. DO NOT HOLD THE BUTTON DOWN.
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Power cycle your Tablo.Remove the A/C power adapter from the back of the unit for ~30 seconds. Then re-attach the power adapter to the Tablo.
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Power cycle your home Wi-Fi router.Remove the A/C adapter from the router for ~10 seconds. Then re-attach the power adapter to the router.
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Check your viewing device’s network connections.Ensure your smart TV, streaming device, smartphone or tablet are all connected to the same home network as your Tablo.
Pro Tips
- Avoid the ‘guest’ portion of your home network, as this will block communication between your Tablo and your viewing device.
- Avoid using Virtual Private Networks, as they actively change your network’s IP address, which can block communication between your Tablo and your viewing device.
- Restarting the Tablo app or clearing its cache can remove errors or bad data that may prevent the app from finding your Tablo on the network.
I’m having trouble watching or receiving antenna TV channels.
Experiencing error messages, audio disruptions or pixelation when you try to watch programs with Tablo? Missing a channel you expected to receive? Improve reception with one or more of these basic troubleshooting steps.
Steps
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Reboot your Tablo.Quickly press and release the white reset button on the bottom of the unit. DO NOT HOLD THE BUTTON DOWN.
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Run and save a fresh channel scan.Go to SETTINGS > GUIDE > CHANNEL LINEUP and select RESCAN CHANNELS. Look for three green dots beside each channel indicating adequate signal strength. Select SAVE AND CONTINUE when the scan is complete.
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Disable Tablo’s in-line amplifier.If you’re already using an amplified TV antenna or live very close to your local broadcast TV towers, your TV antenna signal could be too strong. Go to SETTINGS > ANTENNA AMPLIFICATION and select OFF.
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Improve your TV antenna setup.If you’re still having trouble playing or recording some over-the-air TV channels, you may need to adjust your TV antenna’s placement to improve its line-of-sight to your local broadcast towers, or upgrade to a more powerful or specialized antenna.
Pro Tips
- Visit our TV antennas page to understand the location and distance of your local broadcast TV towers. This will determine the type of TV antenna you need and the best location to install it.
- If you only have reception problems on a single channel or group of channels, they may be broadcast on a frequency (VHF) that requires a specialized TV antenna.
- If reception is fine for a handful of channels on your TV but not your Tablo, something called the digital cliff could be at play.
- Run and save a fresh channel scan each time you re-position your TV antenna and at least once a quarter to get up-to-date signal strength data and check for new channels in your area.
The programs I watch pause or buffer frequently.
Tired of watching a loading icon instead of your favorite show? These troubleshooting steps can help ensure your home network can stream your programs smoothly.
Steps
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Power cycle your home Wi-Fi router.Remove the A/C adapter from the router for ~10 seconds. Then re-attach the power adapter to the router.
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Check your streaming device’s Wi-Fi connection quality.Most streaming TV devices and smart TVs display the current Wi-Fi signal strength in their settings menu.
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Try an Ethernet connection.Nothing beats the speed and stability of a wired Ethernet connection. If you can connect your Tablo and/or your streaming device to your network via Ethernet, do so.
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Check for Wi-Fi dead zones.If Ethernet isn’t an option, download a free tool called InSSIDer on your laptop and check for Wi-Fi dead zones that might require a more powerful router to reach.
Pro Tips
- Make sure your home Wi-Fi router uses either the 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) or 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) standard, both of which are designed to handle the speeds required for video streaming.
- Place your home Wi-Fi router in a central location, away from obstructions or sources of interference like brick walls or microwave ovens.
- Placing devices like Tablo too close to your router or a mesh network hub can cause Wi-Fi interference. Leave about a foot of space between them.
I’m having trouble using the Tablo app.
Seeing strange behavior like freezing, crashes or error messages when using the Tablo app? These troubleshooting steps can help skip past app hiccups so you can get back to your show.
Steps
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Restart the app.Exit or close the Tablo app on your device and start it again.
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Clear the app cache.Deleting and re-installing the app or clearing the app’s cache on your streaming device can remove errors or bad data that may cause the app to misbehave.
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Check for app and firmware updates.If you’re not running the latest Tablo app or Tablo device firmware, you might be encountering a bug that’s already been solved.
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Check for known issues.Bugs can crop up from time-to-time. When a widespread issue occurs, we’ll provide updates on the investigation and the fix on the Tablo Community Forum.
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Tell us about it.If there’s a problem you run into regularly that isn’t resolved by the other steps, contact support or post about it on the Tablo Community Forum. Include as much detail as you can including the app platform and device you were using and the specific steps that led to the problem.
Pro Tips
- When you’re finished watching Tablo for the day, exit the app before turning your TV off.
- Enable automatic app updates on your streaming device or smart TV.
- If you use Android or Amazon Fire TV devices, clear your cache regularly to improve performance.
- Upgrade to a new streaming device at least every five years.
I’m having trouble setting up my Tablo.
Having trouble connecting your Tablo to your Wi-Fi? Not sure how to watch on your TV once you finish initial setup? Try these troubleshooting steps and you’ll be streaming free TV in minutes.
Steps
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Review the setup documentation.The Quick Start Guide included in the box and our Quick Start Hub have instructions and tips you need to set up your Tablo.
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Ensure your Tablo’s physical connections are correct.Make sure your TV antenna and power adaptor are connected to the rear of the Tablo. If you’re planning to connect your Tablo to your home network via Wi-Fi, don’t connect the Ethernet cable.
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Reboot your Tablo and restart the app.If you’re stuck in the initial setup process, quickly press and release the white reset button on the bottom of the unit and restart the Tablo app on your smartphone or tablet.
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Check Tablo’s status.Still stuck? Visit TabloTV.com/status to see if your Tablo is still offline, online but not registered or if Tablo’s servers are experiencing an outage.
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Download the Tablo app on your smart TV or streaming device.Completed first-time setup on your smartphone or tablet but struggling to watch Tablo on your TV? You’ll need to download the Tablo app to your compatible smart TV or streaming device.
Pro Tips
- If the blue LED light on your Tablo needs to be pulsing slowly during Wi-Fi setup. If it’s solid blue, it’s already connected to your network. If the light is flashing or off, additional troubleshooting is required.
- If you’ve tried the tips above and are still unable to get Tablo connected via Wi-Fi, connect your Tablo via Ethernet temporarily and contact Tablo support for assistance.
- If you’re not able to find the Tablo app on your television, most TVs can be made ‘smart’ by purchasing and connecting a compatible streaming device.
Watch & learn.
Get visual step-by-step instructions and expert tips on popular Tablo topics.
How to set up your Tablo
A step-by-step walkthrough for setting up your Tablo, including unboxing, what you’ll need and compatible devices.
How to set up your Tablo Total System
A step-by-step walkthrough for setting up your Tablo Total System, including unboxing, what you’ll need and compatible devices.
Connecting your Tablo to the internet
Learn how to connect your Tablo to the internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
Troubleshooting TV antenna reception
It’s important to choose the right TV antenna for your needs and place it where it can get the best signal reception.
How and when to run a channel scan
You shouldn’t ‘set and forget’ your channel lineup after setup. Learn how and when to run a fresh scan.
Helpful resources
Dive into even more helpful resources for Tablo owners.
Get links to everything you need to start enjoying free TV with Tablo.
Get a quick overview of the current status of Tablo servers and your own Tablo device(s).
Learn how to request a return or warranty replacement.
Chat with other Tablo users, get details on firmware and app updates, become a beta tester and more.
Legacy Tablo Device Support
Have a legacy Tablo device model? Get specialized how-tos, troublshooting guides and more geared towards older Tablo DVRs.
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