Apple TV 4 drops connection to my wireless keyboard

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Level 1

8 points

Apple TV 4 drops connection to my wireless keyboard

Sorry, this seems to be an old chestnut.

All of a sudden, my Apple TV 4 has stopped responding to my Apple wireless keyboard (the two-battery aluminium model). Everything is fine on start up but within minutes the Apple TV does not respond to key strokes. I can see in the Bluetooth settings that the keyboard is still connected.

I have unpaired that keyboard and paired the unit with a second aluminium three-battery Apple wireless keyboard. Same result. I have restarted the Apple TV unit, refreshed the keyboard batteries and paired and unpaired endlessly. That makes no difference.

My Apple Remote has no problems.

I am reluctant to reset my Apple TV but that looks like the only option left.

Was the TvOS updated recently?

Apple TV (4th generation)

Posted on Apr 21, 2020 10:29 PM

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Answer 1

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Apr 22, 2020 10:59 AM in response to Gonebush

The last update was 13.4 and that was released back in March. If yours is using a previous version then try updating to see if that helps. Also try other BT accessories, if possible, to note if the issue occurs on them.

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Answer 2

Gonebush Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 26, 2020 10:37 PM in response to vazandrew

It's a problem with the Youtube app.

https://support.google.com/youtube/thread/37522136?hl=en

I reset my Apple TV 4 anyway but the problem recurred. My keyboard works OK with other apps (in tvOS 13.4).

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Answer 3

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Apr 22, 2020 10:03 PM in response to Gonebush

It is not possible to downgrade, but you can try a restore to reinstall the OS. As suggested I would also try with a different accessory altogether.

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Answer 4

Gonebush Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 22, 2020 9:42 PM in response to vazandrew

My tvOS is right up to date (13.4). Could be coincidence but it's this update I'm suspecting, since the wireless keyboard problems began in March.

I've tried my third (most recent) iMac wireless keyboard with the Apple TV. Exactly the same problem. The keyboard stops talking to the Apple TV barely one minute after connection.

I'm going to switch off the Apple basestation I installed nearby as a network extender back in February. Maybe that's creating interference. Stand by. I'll report back.

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