Paul Seymour1
Level 2 (321 points)
Apple TV

Q: Apple TV changed completely on restart

I just restarted my Apple TV. When it came back up, instead of the main menu showing all the channels, I just get a big Apple TV logo and 2 menu options: Computer and Settings. Computer simply tells me that I need to turn on Home Sharing but gives no options. Settings takes me to settings.

 

It's like a totally different device on restart. Any idea what could've happened?

Posted on Jul 8, 2016 9:45 PM

by Diana.McCall,Solvedanswer
Diana.McCall Diana.McCall
Level 4 (2,900 points)
Apple TV
A:

Hi, it sounds like you've lost the internet connection. Can you access the internet from another device on your network? Check the ATV network settings. If they're OK, meaning you're connected to the LAN, then put ATV to sleep and restart modem, router, and ATV, in that order.

Posted on Jul 9, 2016 7:27 AM

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Paul Seymour1

Q: Apple TV changed completely on restart

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Jul 8, 2016 10:13 PM in response to Paul Seymour1
    Level 7 (20,202 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 8, 2016 10:13 PM in response to Paul Seymour1

    You need to provide us with more information, such as what model and OS version you're using. Are the settings correct, or they're all back to defaults and/or empty?

     

    In the meantime, you can restart the device again by disconnecting the power cord for about 30 seconds.

  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Jul 8, 2016 11:50 PM in response to Paul Seymour1
    Level 10 (120,143 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 8, 2016 11:50 PM in response to Paul Seymour1

    If disconnecting the power cord for 30 seconds does not help, you can restore your Apple TV to factory settings.

     

    Instructions here >  Restore your Apple TV to its factory settings - Apple Support

  • by Winston Churchill,Apple recommended

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jul 9, 2016 12:02 AM in response to Paul Seymour1
    Level 10 (103,346 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 9, 2016 12:02 AM in response to Paul Seymour1

    Assuming this is not the first time you have used your Apple TV


    1. You might try restarting the Apple TV by removing ALL the cables for 30 seconds.
    2. Also try restarting the router. (Also try removing it’s power cord for at least 30 seconds)
    3. If the problem persists, try a restore, you may want to try the previous procedures several times before doing this.
    4. If restoring from the Apple TV doesn't help, try restoring from iTunes using a USB cable.


    If this is a new Apple TV, in addition to trying the above, it may also be that your network router is not allowing access to the timeserver, check that your router allows access over port 123.


    You might also try connecting to a different network and then trying again on your own, you might try at a friends or use the wifi hotspot on your mobile phone if you have one.

  • by Diana.McCall,Solvedanswer

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Jul 9, 2016 7:27 AM in response to Paul Seymour1
    Level 4 (2,900 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 9, 2016 7:27 AM in response to Paul Seymour1

    Hi, it sounds like you've lost the internet connection. Can you access the internet from another device on your network? Check the ATV network settings. If they're OK, meaning you're connected to the LAN, then put ATV to sleep and restart modem, router, and ATV, in that order.

  • by Paul Seymour1,

    Paul Seymour1 Paul Seymour1 Jul 10, 2016 10:26 AM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 2 (321 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 10, 2016 10:26 AM in response to Diana.McCall

    That was it. Network connection was down, and that changed Apple TV into a brick. Once the connection was restored, so was Apple TV.

     

    Thanks!

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Jul 10, 2016 10:46 AM in response to Paul Seymour1
    Level 4 (2,900 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 10, 2016 10:46 AM in response to Paul Seymour1

    Right. Not a brick exactly, but... On the earlier ATVs like yours, the channels depend on an internet comnection, so they are automatically hidden if the connection is down. On ATV 4, the apps are actual separate programs, so they are each responsible for handling internet problems on their own.