In an era when so many are cutting cable, Apple TV is a popular alternative. The device offers a great way to stream movies, watch TV, listen to music, and even play games! However, nothing stays perfect forever and over time you may face problems that impact your entertainment experience. In this article, we’ll cover how to fix some common Apple TV problems so you can get back to enjoying your favorite content.
Quick Note: Updates for Apple TV software are released periodically, and support from some apps has ceased on older models. Even with proper setup, problems with Apple TV can be related to home WiFi, home theater settings, or just movies not streaming.
An App Stops Working
Just like with your smartphone, something can go wrong with the apps on Apple TV. Sometimes there are delays or they stop responding altogether. When that happens, the best thing to do is simply close the app! To force close an app, double-press the TV or Home button, swipe left or right to highlight the app, and swipe up on the remote touchpad.
Apple TV Behaving Erratically
Sometimes it’s more than an app that stops working. Even if Apple TV is connected to your network, apps may not receive data for no apparent reason. If your device is showing these issues or behaving erratically in general, a restart might be the best approach. To do this, go to Settings > System > Restart. Alternatively, you can press and hold the Menu and TV buttons until the light on the front of the Apple TV starts blinking rapidly. When you release both buttons on the remote, your Apple TV will restart.
The Apple TV Won’t Turn On
If the Apple TV won’t turn on, the first thing you should do is check the power source. Check the cable connected to the back of the Apple TV and make sure it’s firmly plugged into a power outlet, power strip, or surge protector. Also, make sure the power strip or surge protector is turned on.
The Apple TV may turn on but not display the video signal as well. Make sure your television is set to the correct input and that the HDMI connection is firmly plugged in. If everything is connected and configured correctly, try changing the output resolution on the Apple TV itself. To do this, press and hold the Menu and Volume Down buttons on the Siri remote for about five seconds.
The Remote No Longer Works
If the Siri Remote stops working, first try charging it through the Lightning connector on the bottom edge of the remote. You can check the charging status on Apple TV in Remotes and Devices using an iOS device as a remote.
If that doesn’t work, try resetting the remote by putting it into pairing mode. To do this, hold the remote near the Apple TV and press and hold the Menu and Volume Up buttons for two to three seconds.
The Play Button Doesn’t Work
From time to time, everything on the Siri Remote works as expected except for the Play button. When you press this button, nothing happens, regardless of what app you’re in. The obvious solution is to simply click on the trackpad to play and pause. However, if you want the play button to work again, there are two options: pair the remote again, or restart the Apple TV (see the solutions listed above).
There’s No Audio
Occasionally, Apple TV audio may drop out without explanation, and solutions can vary depending on how you have your sound set up. Try restarting the TV and any audio devices connected to Apple TV, such as a soundbar or receiver. This will usually solve the problem. However, if not, then try restarting the Apple TV. Also, make sure your audio settings are correct. Go to “Settings” > “Audio & Video” and make sure the correct speakers are selected for audio output and the audio mode is set to “Auto”.
If All Else Fails – Time to Reset
In most cases, Apple TV problems are relatively easy to resolve. But if you’ve tried everything in this article and your device is still not working properly, you might need to contact Apple support for advice or servicing. Before that, though, there’s one last thing that might bring it back to life: You can reset the device, restoring it back to factory conditions.
This is the last resort because resetting your Apple TV will wipe out all your settings and stored data, including sign-on information for all your apps. It might be worth it, though, to restore your Apple TV to a working condition. When you’re ready, follow these instructions to reset your Apple TV.
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