Apple TV+ on Roku keeps “buffering”/freezing

We have a ROKU stick. We are trying to watch Apple TV+ and it keeps buffering when we try to sign in. (before we even get to put in our email.)

The other channels work on the ROKU stick.

I have finally solved this issue on my app.

I turned all settings to limit shows to SD.

I had this issue for months and gave up on so many shows but my love for Godzilla made me play with every setting.

This totally worked! Thank you for your dedication with going through all the settings. I haven’t come across this solution anywhere else. So wonderful not to have the buffering, especially watching Monarch! It’s brilliant!

The same problem just started (maybe 10 days ago) on my Roku 4200x, and only with the AppleTV+ app (I have Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix too).

If I don't pause while watching a show, it doesn't seem to happen, but once I pause - even just for a moment- I get the buffering spinner too, usually within a minute or so of restarting.

I have the most recent Roku and Apple updates installed, so I have to wonder if the latest one(s) they sent out screwed the proverbial pooch.

I sure hope they fix this frustrating situation soonly! I'd try to report it directly to them but the last time I tried to do that for a different problem I spent 45 minutes before finally getting to an appropriate tech person. Then, despite multiple efforts to describe the issue, they just couldn't understand...

Same here. Constant buffering by AppleTv app and Roku. Using wired connection tested at 93Mps (Roku 100Mps limit). My connection to provider is capped at 500Mps. It's not the connection. Only happens on AppleTV app.

It sounds like we are the same person. 😆

It doesn't matter which video I'm playing, video keeps freezing as if it's buffering (spinning circle under playback bar), but it never recovers. Each time, I have to back out of the video, and hit play on it again. The app does remember video position.

This is happening regardless of time of day. My TCL Roku TV is wired via its 100mbit Ethernet port. My LAN is gigabit, and my internet speed is 500Mbit. The TV's Ethernet port tests out at 86Mbit, and a speed test on the internet maxes out around 600Mbit almost any time of day.

Finally, the app has been uninstalled / reinstalled in the Roku OS, and the TV was rebooted. Nothing has solved the issue. It's been happening for about a month from what I remember.

For Roku:

Another user (mygreensocks) suggested this procedure from Roku Support staff, which reportedly helped several users.

1. Remove the Apple TV app,
2. Shut off and unplug the TV (or streaming device),
3. Wait 30 seconds,
4. Plug the TV (or streaming device) back in,
5. Reload the Apple TV app.

Else try the Network Connection Reset, as mentioned by user Jarieta.

1. Roku: Home﹥Settings﹥System﹥Advanced System Settings﹥Network Connection Reset

If the issue persists after that, then please contact the Apple Support staff for further assistance.

We are seeing exactly the same behavior after we switched to Google Fiber from Spectrum.

Roku. Only Apple TV app. If we back out one level and then continue it picks up where it left off. But it is extremely annoying.

Yeah we are watching the Monarch Legacy of Monsters and it keeps buffering whilst we are watching it, not impressed it pauses then plays then pauses then plays it’s awful

When I factory reset the Roku device and then reinstall Apple TV+ app the issue was resolved.

Might be the ROKU and the processor speed depending on what model you have. I have found the AppleTV app is far from perfect and slow on anything but an AppleTV when connected to a TV. Even running through a SmartTV is very slow.

Edit: this only seems to occur when watching series. I just watched a feature film (no "episodes ") and paused it several times with no issue. Then I watched a series and it happened the first and every time I paused.

yes this is exactly what is happening to me and i have been blind to how much in 1 year it went from $4.99 to $10.99 i’m getting ready to cancel it! there’s nothing really to watch and when i do i spend more time trying fix the freezing like buffering exactly how you explained it! I am able to work from home as a customer service rep with no issues 5 feet from the TV that uses the same internet and not at the same time! this is ridiculous it’s taken me almost a week to watch a 2 hour movie!

Yes, it occurs at the 14 second mark for every song I play via the Roku app. On a gigabit internet connection and other apps do not have any problems at all.

this is exactly what's happening with me. Have you found any solutions?