My apple tv keeps resetting to default settings after putting it to sleep.

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Level 1

8 points

My apple tv keeps resetting to default settings after putting it to sleep.

I have a 32GB Apple TV that started acting oddly after putting it to sleep. You'd turn it on the next day and none of the apps would connect to the internet. So then you'd just restart it and everything would behave as normal. Occasionally, when waking it up the system would go into full factory default mode — I'd have to sign in, download apps again, authenticate the apps, etc.

After a few weeks of that, I just ended up getting a new Apple TV.

The new one does the same thing.

Makes me think that it has to do with one particular app, or maybe the associated Apple ID? Trying to find any common threads here.

Google has been no help.

Does anyone have any thoughts around this or maybe seen something similar?

Thanks in advance.

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 14

Posted on Dec 19, 2020 7:50 AM

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Answer 1

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,292 points

Dec 20, 2020 5:22 AM in response to Henzy

On Apple TV, have a look at Settings﹥Network, and note the IP address given to the Apple TV box. Most of your devices (computer, tablet, phone) will get a similar address assigned. Probably 192.169.x.x. (Most common range, but there can be others.)

When something goes wrong with this handing out of IP addresses on your home network, then you may see unusual IP addresses from other ranges, e.g. 169.254.x.x (so-called self-assigned). That would make it that a device with such an IP address is unable to communicate with other devices on your home network, including the router, and thus no functional connection to the internet.

https://www.google.com/search?q=self+assigned+ip+address

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_Host_Configuration_Protocol

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_network

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Answer 2

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,292 points

Dec 20, 2020 6:36 AM in response to Henzy

If the problem is really with the router, I'm not sure why the system would go back to the initial set-up screen on occasion. If the device couldn't connect to the internet, why would it go back to the initial set-up?

That seems like a separate issue. That is, I can’t find a link between the two. Apple TV 4K should ‘happily’ start up without internet. Could it be that someone selected “Reset”, not realizing that it would go to initial setup?

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Answer 3

Henzy Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 19, 2020 9:12 PM in response to Urquhart1244

Interesting. We have restarted both the router and range extender. However, today I did switch to wireless from wired and haven't had any issues since. Is there anything you'd recommend I read up on when it comes to the network settings?

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Answer 4

Henzy Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 20, 2020 6:24 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Wow, thanks for taking the time to explain that. My general understanding of home networks is basically "plug goes in, internet comes out" so your explanation is very helpful indeed.

If the problem is really with the router, I'm not sure why the system would go back to the initial set-up screen on occasion. If the device couldn't connect to the internet, why would it go back to the initial set-up?

In any case, thanks so much for pulling those links!

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