Apple TV+ content has poor quality, freezes, buffers all the time

Thank you! The solution from akinwande225 did absolutely work. Toggle the setting for “Limit Playback to SD” to ON. All freezing, skipping, jumping, (and out-of-synch subtitles/captions) are gone with no noticeable picture quality loss. Everything plays as it should. Content was previously unwatchable, especially foreign language tv and films where captions appeared too late or were skipped completely. I’ll still probably cancel after the trial period but this will get me through the three months.

I solved problem by rebooting my Apple 801.ac AirPort Extreme. I noticed AppleTV+ Service was also the only very slow service on my smart TV, pointing to the house router. Something on the router was interfering only with AppleTV+.

Same as everyone here - Only Apple TV+ content. Rebooted everything. Reset Apple TV. 250Mbps network connection.

[Apple Support: Turning on the Developer mode "Playback HUD" shows "Network bandwidth" dropping to a few Mbps (<10), while Amazon content is typically over 100 Mbps, and Netflix typically over 50 Mbps.]

I have buffering issues with 4K content using the Apple+ app on my TCL Roku TV. It looks like a problem with the app itself, as other 4K content using different Roku apps, such as Netflix or Prime, works well. I now use an Amazon 4K Firestick to stream the Apple+ content. It streams the Apple+ 4K content flawlessly. It seems incredible to me that Apple finds it so hard to fix this problem.

This didn’t fix it for me. Samsung 8500 with Apple TV 4K, gigabit Wi-Fi and etherneted into the device. The only content that is blurry or freezes is Apple TV+ or movies if I purchased them through iTunes. If I purchase them on Amazon or anything else they’re great. I’m certain it is their CDN servers or something on their end. This is unwatchable and so frustrating. It is HORRENDOUS on Foundation, likely because of all of the 4K CGI scenes. Every device is updated to latest software and the only streaming app this happens on is Apple TV+. Netflix 4K, YouTube TV 4K and all others stream perfectly with no buffer times and no blurry feed.

Hi guys, I had this same problem. I am happy to say that I have found a solution.

what you need to do is as dollows

once you have opened the app,

go to the settings ( via settings icon wheel)

go to

-Limit Purchases and Rentals to SD

-Limit Playback to SD

turn them both from off to On.

this should resolve the issue.

let me know if it works.

Apparently Apple already fixed the Apple TV+ failure in all devices and in apple tv4K they generated a new iOS 15.2, in a call with apple technical support they told me about this new update, I did some tests and apparently it is already solved I'll keep watching to see how the service behaves, hoping that the fault is no longer present.

I would like to add that for us, this happens on anything from apple streaming. If I rent or buy any movie from apple - in other words not just Apple TV+ content by Apple, this happens. I don't get buffering but randomly throughout the movie, the resolution will drop to a blurry, SD quality with all the 4K or HD clarity gone.

I have 800/100Mbs service with 12ms latency, all my Apple TVs are copper Ethernet connected to a single switch & a commercial grade Sophos gateway.

To prove its not my network or ISP, I ran multiple ping tests while watching a movie & there were no latency spikes when the movie dropped resolution. I also ran speed tests when the res dropped and I was getting near full speed downloads.

We regularly stream Netflix, Hulu & HBO and do not see this same issue there.

The tvOS15 update seems to have fixed my stall/freeze issue. Is anyone who has an Apple TV device AND on tvOS15 still experiencing the original problems? (Apple is asking.)

Thanks!

Battling with poor streaming of Apple TV+ content ONLY for weeks. Apple TV 4K 1st get. 250+ Mbps consistent at Apple TV. Content dropping to low resolution, sometimes staying there for the entire show, sometimes toggling back and forth between 4K resolution and poor quality. Stopping/stuttering also. Only Apple TV+ content has this problem. Been playing with HDR/Dolby Vision format, changing HDMI cable, changing HDMI port on TV, even put an extra RF amp on my coax cable.

Also turned off the "Show nearby AirPods" (Bluetooth discovery) per a related reddit thread. No success. Has tvOS 15.2 brought any improvement for the group here?

Recent software updates on my Apple TV 4K have solved the issue for me. Pretty sure this was either a software glitch, or something wrong with Apple’s CDNs, or possibly both, which is why folks are still struggling even with the latest patches. If this wasn’t fixed, I would have been very upset. Sorry to folks who continue to struggle. You’re at Apple’s software quality mercy now. It not you, it’s them.

Totally same here. Same TV. Apple Support pretended it was TCL Roku issue but based on the many threads I’ve been reading, it is only Apple TV +. Ours has been pixelated For All Mankind two episodes. Apple support was no help. TCL and Roku just had us literally go factory settings and it still didnt help the buffering. All other streaming services were perfectly. We have ATT Fiber, the highest package you can get with fiber.

I am seeing this too and I have validated that we have very good network connectivity - over 600Mbps sustained and usually peaking at over 900Mbps. Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, and Youtube have no problems but Apple TV+ (on the same Apple TV 4k device) is having major problems.

Thanks H Charles Dilmore! It is definitely an AppleTV+ software issue and they need to finally acknowledge that fact if our other TV apps are functioning perfectly and the fact it is happening on more than just one brand of SmartTV and/or router.

This issue is still persisting, for my fathers home, sisters home and my own. I have 1TB download on all current net gear with brand new Apple TV 4K.

definitely a software issue that is still continuing.

refunds?