Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Dropping off network

My Apple TV is two days old and is driving me crazy. It has been set up properly and recognizes the network but keeps going to sleep and dropping off the network. This makes streaming and synching almost impossible. Before I send it back as being a useless object, does anyone have a solution for this problem?

imac, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Dec 17, 2009 1:29 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 17, 2009 1:36 AM

the appletv does not go to sleep on its own, it will only go to sleep if you specifically choose the sleep option from the menu.

even then, the appletv stays on the network when it is asleep.

if your appletv keeps dropping off the network, then it is most likely a network related issue that you have.
17 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 17, 2009 1:36 AM in response to mattliz

the appletv does not go to sleep on its own, it will only go to sleep if you specifically choose the sleep option from the menu.

even then, the appletv stays on the network when it is asleep.

if your appletv keeps dropping off the network, then it is most likely a network related issue that you have.

Dec 17, 2009 3:01 AM in response to mattliz

Nothing else I have drops off the network, only the Apple TV.


Network dropouts for ATV wi-fi are a common problem, unfortunately. This forum is full of such complaints. Try setting a longer DHCP timeout time in your router and see if that helps. If not, take it to an Apple store or contact AppleCare for a possible replacement. If nothing solves the problem, you may need to give up on wi-fi and connect it by Ethernet cable.

Dec 20, 2009 8:26 AM in response to mattliz

After a week of my new Apple TV refusing to stay on line through my wireless network, I have solved the problem by buying an Ethernet cable and using that. All is fine now but Apple need to recognize the problem and do something about it, given the number of items on this discussion forum with an identical wireless network problem to mine.

Dec 29, 2009 7:25 AM in response to Ghyslain

One thing that solved my problem was switching my wireless access point to Media Access Control address (MAC address) instead of password-based access.


Does that mean you stopped using WAP or WEP encryption? Restricting access to your router by MAC address doesn't provide any encryption, so a miscreant in close proximity could read all of your wi-fi traffic (and, yes, there are people who really do that). That's not a particularly good idea if you live in a populated area.

Dec 29, 2009 7:54 AM in response to capaho

capaho wrote:
One thing that solved my problem was switching my wireless access point to Media Access Control address (MAC address) instead of password-based access.


Does that mean you stopped using WAP or WEP encryption? Restricting access to your router by MAC address doesn't provide any encryption, so a miscreant in close proximity could read all of your wi-fi traffic (and, yes, there are people who really do that). That's not a particularly good idea if you live in a populated area.


Good advice.

Turning off encryption is ok for quick troubleshooting but even then not risk free. I use WPA and MAC address list based access, and I would not be surprised if MAC addresses could be spoofed wirelessly by someone eavesdropping to do more than just intercept packets.

Dec 29, 2009 8:05 AM in response to Ghyslain

Ghyslain wrote:
I'm actually using 1 wireless router (D-Link WR1310) and 1 Airport Extreme Base station. The D-Link is connected to my modem and the AEB is connected to my D-Link. I use my AEB for my Apple TV only and it is MAC enabled.


You might still run the risk of someone being able to connect the Airport Extreme, not just eavesdrop, spoofing the MAC address, and from there access things connected via the D-Link.

Ultimately, you know what you've set up in detail and I don't, so you may have covered all potential security issues.

There's a fine line between paranoia and good security sometimes - lots of risks are unlikely to happen but small risks nonetheless.

Dec 29, 2009 8:10 AM in response to Ghyslain

Ghyslain wrote:
Good advice indeed. I just might revise my setup.

Having the Apple TV dropping out and not reconnecting automatically is so annoying!


Not sure if it would be suitable for you but for some of my AppleTVs I use mains powerline network adapters, 1 adapter in mains socket near router connected via ethernet, 1 near device connected via ethernet. Network traffic can be encrypted on most of these devices - it's just like having a long ethernet cable, though the full quoted speeds are often not achievable in practice, as with wi-fi. I use Devolo, but Netgear and many others make them.

Dec 29, 2009 8:12 AM in response to Ghyslain

Ghyslain wrote:
Having the Apple TV dropping out and not reconnecting automatically is so annoying!


This is the biggest issue I used to find - it's not the fact that wi-fi can be predictably interrupted say I stick the microwave on for 30 secs, but the frequent inability for iTunes/AppleTV to re-establish contact once the interference has resolved when other things do. Convinced it's a software issue in origin.

Dec 29, 2009 8:42 AM in response to mattliz

Here's the experience I had with mine and it might be a feature of software version 3.0.1.
The initial ATV installed and was streaming songs. After 3-7 songs, it would lock up, ultimate reboot itself, etc. A factory restore, then update of the OS resulted in the same thing.
Returned the first ATV yesterday and got a replacement. Installed the replacement but did not update the OS so still running ver 2.4. It ran all night long without locking up so this AM did the upgrade to 3.0.1. 6 songs into the play, locked up, rebooted so same story.
Restored to factory so back on ver 2.4 now and it's running just fine again.

Dropping off network

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.