HT205358: Set up your Apple TV (4th generation)

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ntcrawler
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple TV

Q: Apple TV 4th Gen - Not finding network?

Got a 4th gen Apple TV as a gift, and decided to finally set it up. I plugged everything in, did the auto device set up, and although it was able to find my phone, for some reason it cant get past my wifi set up/location. After about 3 attempts, i opted for the manual. When I set up all the information as shown in my network settings, my mac Desktop says "a device is accessing your network, and auto changes the IP address. Then the apple tv continues to attempt to access, then gives me an error that my "network" is not connected to the internet.I have no idea how to even begin to address this. Any help is appreciated.

Apple TV, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 4th gen - set up

Posted on Apr 24, 2016 10:32 PM

by ntcrawler,Solvedanswer
ntcrawler ntcrawler
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple TV
A:

ok. finally got home and force - restarted it. Same issues. Eventually to eliminate any possible issue, I connected the atv directly to router and it worked. It looks like if your atv is directed to your router via switch, it wont recognize settings etc. It has to be directly to the router.

Posted on Apr 25, 2016 10:16 PM

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ntcrawler

Q: Apple TV 4th Gen - Not finding network?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Apr 25, 2016 3:03 AM in response to ntcrawler
    Level 4 (2,900 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 25, 2016 3:03 AM in response to ntcrawler

    Your WiFi router may be configured to reject new devices. You may need to login in to it and allow the new device to connect.

    For ATV network settings, you should be using WiFi with IP and DNS both set to automatic. Select your network and enter the key. Then, if it's rejected, go to the router and allow it. Please try this and report exactly what happens.

    What do you mean by "auto changes the IP address"? Which IP address does your Mac change? You should not be entering an IP address for ATV.

    Do you have other devices on WiFi that connect with no problem?

  • by ntcrawler,

    ntcrawler ntcrawler Apr 25, 2016 9:09 AM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 25, 2016 9:09 AM in response to Diana.McCall

    I got the IP numbers off of my network settings. Could that be the case? that im using an ip for the ethernet?
    Im entering IP info for the ATV because it doesnt auto connect with the device option. I am attempting to manually set it up, and it asks for

     

    IP
    Subnetmask
    Router

    DNS#

     

    So i entered those, and as soon as I confirm, i get an error on my mac desktop saying "another device is attempting to connect", then it changes the IP in my network settings automatically, all while the atv is still attempting to connect. Which is why i believe it can't connect or find the network

     

     

     

    When i attempt to auto connect with devive, it locates my iphone, but when it starts looking for wifi connection on my iphone, it is unable to find anything. My iphone is connected to my wifi network without any problems.

     

    Ill review your suggestions and give them a try tonight, and see what happens.

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Apr 25, 2016 9:31 AM in response to ntcrawler
    Level 4 (2,900 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 25, 2016 9:31 AM in response to ntcrawler

    You do realize that the IP address must be different for every device on the network?

    The normal way this works, over WiFi or ethernet, is that the router maintains a pool of addresses in a DHCP program, and hands them out when new devices connect. Assuming you want to use ethernet, you should connect the cable, the go into the ATV network settings, select ethernet, and enable "Obtain address automatically". It should then configure itself automatically. It's the same for WiFi, but you first select the network by its name, and give the network password (WPA key). It sounds like your problem may be the result of "excess operator headspace", when it's meant to work the easy way

    Here's some more advice from Apple Get help with Wi-Fi networks on your Apple TV - Apple Support .

    Good luck

  • by ntcrawler,

    ntcrawler ntcrawler Apr 25, 2016 10:28 AM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 25, 2016 10:28 AM in response to Diana.McCall

    Im not sure how that works. Im a designer, not a  IT/Network guy. How do I find the acceptable range?  What numbers exactly can i modify on the IP and by how much? Any help is appreciated. Again, Ill take a look tonight. Thanks again!

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Apr 25, 2016 10:54 AM in response to ntcrawler
    Level 4 (2,900 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 25, 2016 10:54 AM in response to ntcrawler

    OK. Just set it to automatic and it should be fine, unless some "IT/Network guy" has set you up with something strange.

    I'd read you the exact menus but my ATV is doing a long sleep test, so cannot touch it until tomorrow. Don't you hate it when your gear gets more sleep than you do

    Check the help I referenced and it should be a walk.

  • by ntcrawler,

    ntcrawler ntcrawler Apr 25, 2016 11:24 AM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 25, 2016 11:24 AM in response to Diana.McCall

    - I Know right? I really hope its that easy. I never really spent the time to wrap my head around this aspect of computers, so i guess its a good excuse to dive down into it and figure it out...   Its really funny how we take things for granted sometimes. I mean When I plugged in the ATV, theres a "set up your device" prompt which gives you automatic and manual. When i hit automatic, and it doesnt work after a few tries... the world is over, and we dont know what to do! lol.

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Apr 25, 2016 11:43 AM in response to ntcrawler
    Level 4 (2,900 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 25, 2016 11:43 AM in response to ntcrawler

    It's a little confusing. I do not mean to use the automatic configuration using the iPhone. Too many moving parts involved there. You'll need to follow the manual setup steps. When you get to the network settings, set the address and DNS modes to automatic, which should cause ATV to get them from the router. This will avoid you having to enter them manually. You'll need to enter your Apple ID and password manually, etc. If ATV is already partly set up, just go to the network settings and configure WiFi or ethernet to automatic and you should be good.

  • by ntcrawler,Solvedanswer

    ntcrawler ntcrawler Apr 25, 2016 10:16 PM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 25, 2016 10:16 PM in response to Diana.McCall

    ok. finally got home and force - restarted it. Same issues. Eventually to eliminate any possible issue, I connected the atv directly to router and it worked. It looks like if your atv is directed to your router via switch, it wont recognize settings etc. It has to be directly to the router.