Apple TV 4K Keeps Cutting Out - How Do I Fix This?

I’ve had the same issue with the second-generation Apple TV 4K — I’ll experience loss of video signal at seemingly random intervals on multiple apps. I had been using the previous generation ATV 4K on the same TV and HDMI port with no issues.

I tried factory resetting my new ATV 4K, and purchased a brand new HDMI 2.1 cable that supports 48 Gbps, 8K@60Hz but still the issue persists.

I called Apple support today and they’re sending me a replacement unit while they diagnose my current one.

Yea I’m beginning to wonder if that’s what I need to do. (Call support and get a replacement).

Ive changed cables about 4 times now, the latest being between the receiver and tv and Apple TV and receiver with new 48gbps cables (even though my tv isn’t even an hdr set)

just finished resetting the Apple TV and setting that all back up.

tried different appleids. Tried disconnecting the harmony remote from it. Tried a different outlet for the appletv and my tv.

still randomly turns my tv off then on.

ive re hooked up the nvidia shield for now juuuuust in case it was actually a tv issue and no problems….

I’m quite sure it’s a software problem not a hardware as such, I tried my older Apple TV HD that had older software as it’s been in a drawer having a rest….worked fine. Updated the tvOS and now has the same problems of randomly cutting out.

Waiting for the next os iteration.

Disappointing that a software release comes with such a problem. Also could not connect AirPlay with iOS 14.6.

I agree, Morkious.

I got a replacement unit from Apple and it appeared to work fine for a little while, but then the random cutting returned.

I found that changing the setting for Dolby Vision from always on to only when it's available has helped to reduce the cutting out issue. Resetting the device has also helped.

Neither is 100%, but the issue has been significantly reduced.

I don't think it's my TV — it was running the previous version of Apple TV 4K on the same HDMI port with zero problems.

I'm hoping the next software update quashes these bugs.

I haven't heard back from AppleCare support with my original unit — I'll post what they come back with, if anything.

Hi,

No it’s not hardware, I don’t want to be cryptic but the moderators would flag and delete. It’s, for me anyway, a software fault, I had tried changing all the hardware components so the logical thing was the remainder, TVOS 14.6 or if you like XIV.VI,

I also stopped the control of TV and AV Receivers in the ‘settings’ menu and ‘Remotes and Devices’ (you can still adjust the volume in the next setting)

Also changed these settings, as the man says counterintuitive but works.

https://youtu.be/htd_1RSaf3A

I'm having exactly the same issue. Apple TV 4K 1st Gen. Glad to see I'm not the only one here with this...but a darn shame that no fix from Apple. I would happily use my NVIDIA Shield but it doesn't do Apple Music in Atmos/Lossless

I know it’s an annoying answer and defeats the purpose of buying the 4K… but until Apple fixes the glitch the only thing that has worked for me was to put the resolution on 1080p instead of 4K. The first time this started for me was I didn’t have a 4K HDMI cable so check that. But if you do I recommend switching for now because it appears to be an Apple glitch.

I have had this problem since upgrading both 4K tv and to a 4K apple box, I initially assumed it was my broadband but today solved the problem!

it is all about the apple box format setting and the tv screen mode, for me i had the box on 4K Dolby but i had set the tv screen mode to cinema, i did not realise that i could set the screen mode for each different input source so by accident looked at the screen mode while the apple box was on and saw the Dolby setting, this was not available when i set the tv up connected to normal tv. Since then it has performed flawlessly!

initially i had the apple box format set to 4K Dolby and the tv screen mode was cinema (from a choice of cinema, game, natural etc) and it kept cutting out, i first chance the apple box format to 4K SDR, this solved the problem however i knew my tv had 4K Dolby so i was playing with the settings when i discovered the screen mode showed 4K Dolby (as well as cinema, game etc) when the apple box was connected and selected as the source, once i changed the source it did not show. I then changed the tv and the box to 4K Dolby and its all good.

I posted previously about changing settings on the ATV 4K. Using 4K SDR and ‘matching content’ seemed to work, as well as a software change. There is a YouTube video I posted a link to.

The ATV worked for many weeks without a hitch, but the last TVOS XV b seemed to have done something, I went into the ATV settings and ‘check HDMI’ after the ATV said ‘Your HDMI looks better’ the ATV is working again. I have a Panasonic 4K OLED, so different to the Sony posted problems. I’m not an electronics expert, but I believe the HDMI devices require ‘handshakes’. Maybe the ‘check HDMI’ on the ATV does something?

This article from 3 years ago also shows this is not a new problem, but a compatibility one.

https://tidbits.com/2018/03/13/the-apple-tv-4ks-hdr-nightmare/

It seems the settings on both the TV and ATV (and a pass though receiver if that’s what you have) need adjusting.

I’m having the exact same issue. Netflix is also cutting out randomly showing a black screen for a second then returning to normal.

has Apple support resolved the issue?

I have the same issue. Swapped out my AppleTV 4K with a 4K g2. Cuts out a lot less when playing media. May switch back to my Nvidia shield and send back the new appletv.