HT1595: Apple TV (1st generation): Troubleshooting wireless connections

Learn about Apple TV (1st generation): Troubleshooting wireless connections
Schrodini

Q: apple tv disconnects from wifi

My apple TV periodically disconnects from my wifi network forcing me to restart it.  I have tried resetting all settings. I have tried restoring, but it won't stay connected to wifi long enough to allow it to restore.

Time Capsule 802.11n (4th Gen)

Posted on Feb 17, 2013 7:10 AM

Close

Q: apple tv disconnects from wifi

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Winston Churchill,Helpful

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Feb 17, 2013 7:20 AM in response to Schrodini
    Level 10 (104,063 points)
    Apple TV
    Feb 17, 2013 7:20 AM in response to Schrodini

    Intermittent problems are often a result of interference. Interference can be caused by other networks in the neighbourhood or from household electrical items.

     

    You can download and install iStumbler (NetStumbler for windows users) to help you see which channels are used by neighbouring networks so that you can avoid them, but iStumbler will not see household items.

     

    Refer to your router manual for instructions on changing your wifi channel or adjusting your multicast rate.

     

    There are other types of problems that can affect networks, but this is by far the most common, hence worth mentioning first. Networks that have inherent issues can be seen to work differently with different versions of the same software. You might also try moving the Apple TV away from other electrical equipment.

  • by Schrodini,

    Schrodini Schrodini Feb 18, 2013 2:45 PM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 18, 2013 2:45 PM in response to Winston Churchill

    At first this seemed to work, but the problem is still occuring.  I have moved my apple tv as far from my other electronics as possible and I have moved my cordless phones as far from the apple tv and time capsule as possible. There are no other networks using the same channels as my router.

     

    When watching Netflix I get disconnected from the wifi network.  When I try to reconnect, no networks show up in the list when there are usually at least 4 or 5 within range.  None of my other devices seem to be losing connection to the network, so I think the problem is with apple tv, but I am not sure how I can confirm this.

  • by calvinfromcolumbia,

    calvinfromcolumbia calvinfromcolumbia Feb 19, 2013 7:05 PM in response to Schrodini
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    Feb 19, 2013 7:05 PM in response to Schrodini

    I am having this same problem, never had it before. I'm going to try and exchange my apple tv on thursday. This is so irritaing i can't begin to describe it. There is a software update availible for it, but it will not stay connected to my network long enough to download it!!

  • by gbrad22,

    gbrad22 gbrad22 Mar 30, 2014 5:30 PM in response to calvinfromcolumbia
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 30, 2014 5:30 PM in response to calvinfromcolumbia

    Same problem with me too.  My apple tv worked perfect for about a month and last week sometime it suddenly started exiting from Netflix and completely disconnecting from wifi.  It happened very occasionally at first but now if I get two minutes of connection I'm lucky.  Then, I wait a few minutes and it re-connects only to do the same thing minutes later. 

     

    I tried to restore as well but it wouldn't stay connected long enough. 

     

    I tried moving the apple tv away from my home theater system which was the only thing I could think of nearby that might cause interference, but that didn't work either.  Not too surprising as my Wii has no problems with loosing connection and it was right beside the Apple Tv when the problems started. 

     

    All other wifi devices I use work perfect and when the Apple TV is actually connecting to my wifi, it shows a solid 5 bars. 

     

    Best I can tell is this is a problem with the Apple TV and not my wifi.  And as mentioned in an earlier post, it is enough to drive a guy crazy with how irritating it is.

     

    I plan to try and get it exchanged for one that works but my local Apple reseller isn't set up to do warranty exchanges so I will be taking it into an Apple store in a nearby city and try there.  Hoping I didn't flush my money away buying this thing!

  • by gbrad22,

    gbrad22 gbrad22 Apr 6, 2014 10:42 PM in response to gbrad22
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 6, 2014 10:42 PM in response to gbrad22

    It works! No idea how I fixed it...except I unplugged my router and modem for a few hours and plugged them back in and it worked. I had tried unplugging them but didn't leave then unplugged for that long. I don't know much about wireless routers and modems but I guess it worked. Very very happy here.

  • by leewyman1,

    leewyman1 leewyman1 Sep 1, 2015 3:52 PM in response to gbrad22
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 1, 2015 3:52 PM in response to gbrad22

    Did that continue to work for you?  I'm having this problem now myself and I'm at my wits end.  Having to restart my programs 3 or 4 times during the 1 program.  It's making me nuts!  And I know it's not my wi-fi.  I tried everything else (accept for moving it away from my tv and dvd player.  I don't see how that would help based on what I read here.  Please let me know... If it really worked for you, I'll give it a shot!

    thanks

  • by vazandrew,

    vazandrew vazandrew Sep 1, 2015 5:51 PM in response to leewyman1
    Level 6 (19,160 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 1, 2015 5:51 PM in response to leewyman1

    How did you verify your network?

  • by leewyman1,

    leewyman1 leewyman1 Sep 1, 2015 6:01 PM in response to vazandrew
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 1, 2015 6:01 PM in response to vazandrew

    Through the APV general settings.  I've tested the speed and tried disconnecting and reconnecting the APV and the modem.  It will work for a little while and then I start getting the error again. everything else on wifi is working fine.

  • by vazandrew,

    vazandrew vazandrew Sep 1, 2015 9:44 PM in response to leewyman1
    Level 6 (19,160 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 1, 2015 9:44 PM in response to leewyman1

    Doing the network test on the device does not account for any issues, and the fact other devices are working doesn't rule out a network issue. You need to see a current status of your network by getting a network report from istumbler, netstumbler or similar. This will show accurate signal strength along with noise and nearby networks. Using Ethernet will also help see if there are WiFi issues. You are also free to test on another network.