i just started playing the bass and bought the epiphone pack. well the first time i tried to tune my bass the tuner didnt work. sometimes it didnt pick up the signal other times i would tune a string and then check it was good and the reading was completely diffrent any ideas?

Try using 12th fret harmonics. Some tuners work better with guitar-range frequencies.

Also make sure all the knobs on the bass are turned up and the cable is completely in both input jacks.

and that the tuner has new batteries!