Apple TV 4K won't connect via Ethernet, only WiFi

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Level 1

23 points

Apple TV 4K won't connect via Ethernet, only WiFi

I am experiencing the same issue as in this very old post (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8111390?login=true). It's now happening to 3 Apple TV's in my house (some 4K, some older generation).

In each case, when I connect with ethernet, it can get an IP and sees the right DNS, but it cannot connect to the Internet. Wifi is fine. If I reset the router and re-install like new, I see the same issue. I've tried rebooting the router. I can unplug the AppleTV and put the same plug into my MacBook and get an Internet connection, so I know it's not the cable or anything in between.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 13

Posted on Aug 5, 2020 8:15 PM

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Answer 1

karina184

Community Specialist

Aug 9, 2020 10:40 AM in response to dmbtr3

Hi dmbtr3,

We understand that you're running into an issue connecting your Apple TV devices to there internet via an Ethernet connection. We'd like to look into this with you, and we how we can help.

Just to confirm, have you been able to connect your Apple TV's to the internet using an Ethernet connection successfully in the past?

You should be able to connect your Apple TV to your router with an Ethernet cable. When you use an Ethernet cable, your Apple TV automatically uses that connection instead of your Wi-Fi network.

To ensure your Apple TV is connected to Ethernet correctly, please check out the "Plug it in and turn on your TV" part of this page:

Set up your Apple TV

This page also has some good information on how to change the network settings on an Apple TV:

Change network settings on Apple TV

Thanks!

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Answer 2

dmbtr3 Author

Level 1

23 points

Aug 29, 2020 7:15 PM in response to karina184

Answers:

1. Are your Apple TV's running the latest software version? Here's how to check for an update: Update Apple TV software

Yes. 13.4.8. I have not had an issue for the almost 18 months I've had this until just a few weeks ago. I suspect it's possible that the 13.4.8 update caused the issue. Is there a way to go back to the older version? I tried to reset (NOT reset and update), but it still applied the latest update after reset.

2. Since you mentioned that you were able to connect your Apple TV's using an Ethernet connection in the past, can you let us know if any changes were made to your devices or network before this began?

No changes made. My AppleTV updates from apple automatically, so it's possible this was when this happened. If I take out the ethernet wire from my AppleTV and then directly plug it onto my laptop, my laptop Internet works fine. This tells me the setup is okay outside of the AppleTV.

3. When you attempt to connect the Apple TV to the internet via an Ethernet connection, do you ever see a specific error message? If you do, please let us know what the error message says.

Currently, it does not even recognize the ethernet. Even if I have it forget my wifi connection and restart, it will not recognize the Ethernet is plugged in. When it does connect, it correctly sees the network, gets an IP address, sees the right DNSs so it seems that it should be fine, but while it can connect to the router, it won't connect to the internet so Netflix, YouTube, App Store, anything that requires internet, won't work/connect. I am experiencing the exact same thing as in this unresolved thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8111390?login=true

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Answer 3

JBHOB

Level 1

13 points

Sep 13, 2020 5:58 PM in response to dmbtr3

I am totally frustrated with the exact same problem. I am about ready to turn my 4 4K Apple TVs into hockey pucks. I wasted this entire weekend messing with these devices to no avail. I looked all over the place on the web hoping to find a solution to no avail. Apple, shame on you for not having a resolution! As said by the prior post, I can connect my MacBook pro and other ethernet devices with zero problems.

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Answer 4

karina184

Community Specialist

Aug 10, 2020 8:55 AM in response to dmbtr3

dmbtr3,

Thanks so much for letting us know. To help us get a better understanding of the issue, we’d like to ask a few more questions.

1. Are your Apple TV's running the latest software version? Here's how to check for an update: Update Apple TV software

2. Since you mentioned that you were able to connect your Apple TV's using an Ethernet connection in the past, can you let us know if any changes were made to your devices or network before this began?

3. When you attempt to connect the Apple TV to the internet via an Ethernet connection, do you ever see a specific error message? If you do, please let us know what the error message says.

Take care!

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Answer 5

dmbtr3 Author

Level 1

23 points

Aug 10, 2020 7:06 AM in response to karina184

Yes, I can confirm everything was working great before with ethernet for well over a year. One day it stopped working on one AppleTV and then soon thereafter I noticed it on another. In both cases, if I unplug the ethernet cable and plug in my laptop, I can verify that the Internet is working, so I know the setup is okay. I have tried resetting and re-installing the AppleTV but it has not fixed it. My experience has been very similar to the old thread I pointed to in my original post.

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Apple TV 4K won't connect via Ethernet, only WiFi

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