Apple TV+ Buffering Constantly and only Apple TV+

Welp -- I did find a workaround:

I use the Apple TV application on my Macbook Air to do the actual streaming part (i.e., to get the video and audio off the internet). Then I use AirPlay to connect to my Roku. Turns out that when you watch Apple TV on a Macbook, it pops up a window for watching stuff, and that window has an AirPlay icon in the lower-right, so that only the Apple TV content streams to the Roku (i.e., it doesn't just mirror my laptop's whole display, it correctly sends the Apple TV content and uses the full screen on my TV). Also, in that state, I can use my Roku's remote to pause the show (i.e., I don't have to use the laptop to pause and resume).

From this we learn two facts, which are related:

1. There's no bandwidth issue and there's not actually a problem at the Apple server end, since with the right combination of hardware and software I can watch Apple TV at my home.
2. Therefore the problem must be with my Roku and the other streaming devices I've tested. Is it the Roku app? Is it that my Roku is kind of old (hence the current app may have problems with my old Roku)? Don't know.

Hi Ken Esq,

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. We understand you're having buffering issue when using the Apple TV app. Reinstalling the app was a good step. This article has a few more steps that may help: If you can't watch or stream movies and TV shows in the Apple TV app - Apple Support.

"Learn what to do if you have trouble streaming a movie or TV show over a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

Update to the latest version of the Apple TV app

Update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, macOS, or tvOS.

If you're using a compatible smart TV, streaming device, or gaming console that's connected to the internet, the Apple TV app should update automatically. If you need help, you can contact the manufacturer or learn how to get the Apple TV app on your device.

If the movie or TV show won't start playing

After each step, try to stream or download the movie or TV show again.

1. Check the System Status page for service interruptions or check a third-party provider's website for any interruptions. If there are service interruptions, try to stream or watch the video later.
2. If you're having trouble signing in with your Apple ID, you can reset your Apple ID password or learn how to get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication.
3. If your cellular connection is poor, connect to Wi-Fi instead.*
4. Try watching on a different device using the same Wi-Fi or cellular connection. If it doesn't work, contact your internet service provider to see if there's an issue with your network.
5. If other people are using Apple TV+ or Apple TV channels, make sure it doesn't exceed the limits for streaming on multiple devices.

* Make sure that your Wi-Fi router is 802.11a/g/n/ac compatible. Streaming HD content requires 8 Mbit/s or faster. Slower tiers of Wi-Fi connections might not be fast enough to stream HD video content.

If the video quality is bad or it stops playing

1. If multiple people on your network are using the internet, your connection speed might slow down. Ask them to temporarily pause their internet activities.
2. If you're using a smart TV or streaming device, turn it off and back on again. If you're using an Apple device, restart it.
3. Tap or click the download button to try downloading the movie or TV show instead.*

* You can't download movies or TV shows to Apple TV, smart TVs, or streaming devices. You can download HDR content only to certain iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models. You can't download 4K video content to any device."

Take care.

I agree it would be useful to discuss the buffering issue with Apple Techs

but, our only path to those Techs is via a Trouble Request, first with Apple Support(online or phone) with whom 'we may request' sending it up the Flag Pole' to see if our Concern will Fly.

I did that late Spring 2023 but did

not receive a response even though

the Apple Rep and I had alike training

and experience as Electronics Techs.

Just to be sure, this discussion platform is not monitored by Apple.

Contacting Apple Support may be

your only Path to Resolution.

My buffering experiences were much

like yours, Apple buffered more than

my other Streaming Services, beginning with AppleTV+ Launch in

my AppleTV 4k OS. We Users had

zero control over THAT change to our AppleTV 4k service.

I used 3-steps to resolve buffering on my AppleTV 4k: 1)turned off all

AppleTV features I do not use, especially 'Background App Refresh',

AirPlay and HomeKit, Accessibility,

Auto Update Apps, Auto Install Apps,

Podcasts, Fitness and SIRI.

2) I Klein Tested all my Ethernet Cables and Ports AND bought latest HDMI Cables.

3) Verified my ISP-Throughput with

my ISP Service Rep(a rather subjective test due to, most, Service

Rep ignorance beyond their training

and ISP Reference Subjects.

Buffering Continued. So I added 10Mbps to my ISP Streaming Account - that helped quite a bit but not enough.

I should've known better, but I'd failed to examine my ISP Network

Interface Box on my Outside Wall.

By accident, I noticed that Box was

NOT Bonded to Earth Ground! I called in a 'Emergency Condition'

repair which took 2-Weeks to get a

ISP Tech who knew how to fix that!

That Earth Ground, of course is a

Lightning Protector, but it's also a

Circuit Reference for Signal Input

which, if missing, can lower BandWidth.

Earth Ground was repaired, I had 'less buffering'. So I added another

10Mbps to my ISP Account. Viola!

Now I have zero buffering!

Good Luck! My efforts took only

6-months.

ChipDale

I just logged a Support Request through Apple:

https://getsupport.apple.com/topics

The tech tried to blame my internet connection (1Gbps over cable), then the firmware on the AppleTV 4K I use for streaming. He also provided a link to Apple's service status page that listed AppleTV+ as "green", or good. At that point he ran out of excuses, and said he was promoting the request to the next level. I suspect that if more people logged Support Requests, something might actually be done to increase capacity at Apple. But I'm not holding my breath...

Read On - many AppleTV app, and/or AppleTV Streaming Unit users, have cited buffering in discussions here.

Search 'AppleTV buffering' to read

similar complaint, and other problem issues with AppleTV on this site.

These are issues I adjusted for my AppleTV 4k Streaming Unit:

• Upgraded HDMI Patch Cords to Current standard with Gold Plated Blade Tips
• Test, or at least examine, any connecting gear such as Ethernet Patch Cords for fit, length, or damage; too long is not good.
• Remove Power from All Connected Equipment, wait few minutes, then ReStart Gear in this Sequence: #1 ISP NID(your Internet connection) #2 your Router if you use one. #3 AppleTV Streaming Unit if you use one. #4 your HDTV. #5 examine all Settings on every Device in your Streaming Connectivity. Follow User Manual for each device
• Update AppleTV to Latest tvOS 17.3
• Shut Down Settings you don't use
• For AppleTV Streaming Unit, consider UnLoading apps not in use: Settings, General, Manage Storage(Select the WasteBasket) I don't KNOW such app UnLoading does any good but on my System it seems to help that i enable only 'one app at a time'
• It's good practice to ask your ISP Customer Rep, on Phone call to their Troubleshooting Tel#, to Test Verify their Streaming Service to their NID(Network Interface Device) often mistakingly called a MoDem(outdated old tech which cannot carry Streaming Service).

• Good Luck! You'll likely encounter, both, AppleTV Streaming Unit(s) And HDTV AppleTV 'app only' posts here. Pay attention to the advice from 'Long Term Users' of this discussion site. If you are familiar with 'Flow Charting' that will make troubleshooting easier. Good Luck!
• ChipDale

I have the same issue all the time, I literally just sign out and sign back in and that seems to take of it. As with everyone else, this is the only streaming service that I experience this issue with. The content on the platform is outstanding but the software development team needs to step it up. Please sort your team out apple and address this issue that so many of your users are experiencing.

So am having this issue went to the setting on the app and put on SD (standard definition) on. I don't think my tv was able to handle the movies ok 4k. And was lagging very badly. Once I switched that setting it fixed it. Hope this helps. Other apps automatically adjust setting if im correct.

If your 'Inside the House wiring' is CoAxial, your Cable Company, or ISP, must connect 'Copper Wire Grounding' to a 'Grounding Stake' or

other Electrical Code Ground, such as the Electrical Power Ground where your Electric Power enters the

home. If such Ground is not correctly

done, or if Copper Wire Ground is

damaged or severed, your BandWith

will be diminished. NEC Code is to

Connect, only, one end of your CoAx

to a Earth Ground. So, that Ground

Wire CAN reduce BandWith if it's

Missing, Damaged, or connected at

more than One End such as: at House Service Network Interface,

plus at Utility Pole or Curb Pedestal. Your Buffering, since it's,

only on AppleTV and NOT other

Streaming apps, narrows possible

Buffering problem to your AppleTV

Service. You should contact Apple

to Submit a Service Complaint.

Good Luck!

I had constant buffering issues and poor quality while using my AppleTV device. Switched to streaming via the app on my Amazon Fire Stick and all problems went away. Perfect quality, fast streaming, and no interruptions.

I've increased my ISP Bandwidth twice, had the ISP CoAx Service Box 'disconnected Earth Ground' fixed, bought Current Generation HDMI 'Gold Tip' Cables and verified All HDMI & Ethernet 'Ports and Cables'

with my Klein Tester, followed ISP

instruction to remove Power from all Equipment in the circuit: ISP-NID, AppleTV 4k unit, Apple Router then

reconnect that equipment in the same sequence.

Buffering is no longer extreme, but still occurs. I execute the AppleTV

ReStart which solves the 'current'

buffering. At least Buffering is now

occasional.

I've used AppleTV since late 2015; AppleTV 4k is the only generation which buffers.

Of course my 2016 UHD purchase

required more ISP BandWidth as I watched 2160p resolution, but my

3-other TV's are 1080p and I use those TV's one TV at a time for, only, 1080p viewing. All four are AppleTV 4k fed.

Shutting Off unused 'AppleTV 4k' settings may have helped too. Eliminating such unused features

at least reduces Operating System

processor load.

After all these attempts to Resolve

Buffering, I've read 100Mbps is the

threshold for Streaming UHD TV.

I can suffer occasional buffering to

avoid another 'hit to my budget'.

Hi Ken! My AppleTV 4k also buffered. I examined my whole Network and Devices for Buffering Faults. These steps cut back my

buffering significantly:

• Replaced outdated Ethernet Cat-5 cables with New Cat-6
• Replaced older HDMI cables with new Gold Plated connecting Tips
• 'End to End tested' all cables and Ports with my Klein Tester
• Removed UnUsed Ethernet to TV
• Discovered 'Severed Earth Ground Cable' & had ISP dispatch Tech to ReConnect damaged 'Earth Ground Cable' from ISP Outdoor Service Entry Box. 'Disconnection of Earth Ground can Diminish BandWidth' Earth Ground is a Signal Reference Point.
• Turned Off every, 'UnUsed', AppleTV Setting especially: Background App Refresh, Podcasts, Siri, Shared with You, Free Downloads, For All of You, Home Sharing, Tap-to-Zoom, Navigation Clicks, Automatic Subtitles & Subtitle Language, Notifications, AirPlay and HOMEKIT, All Accessibility Settings, Automatically Update or Install Apps.
• I also make use of this 'General Setting' in USAGE, Manage Storage to 'Offload all Apps I'm not currently using, so I have only 'One Loaded App' at a time.
• I'm CHEAP! But, unless my 'Out of Town' Daughter visits, turning off all those Settings remain OFF!
• Also, 'So Called' ISP SPEED TESTS are unreliable since they're dedicated to a Low Use Fibre Strand
• Good Luck, and BTW have you noticed AppleTV Plus is part of the AppleTV unit 'Operating System'? Have you noticed AppleTV Plus constantly updates?

ChipDale

I fixed the issue on our 4k AppleTV. I did this by first plugging the Ethernet cable into our Google Mesh first, then going into Settings/Video and click on Enable HDR which will first test your tv to see if it’s compatible with HDR. If your tv is compatible, click the OK button. Then go to Resolution and click on 4k HDR if your tv supports it or 4k Standard if your tv doesn’t support HDR.

I think the issue is the size of 4k HDR requires a Ethernet connection since the files are too big for 2 wireless hops. If you buy a mesh system, you can setup one of the stations right next to your AppleTV and use the Ethernet cable to connect to the AppleTV. If you have a simple wireless setup, then pick a 1080 Video resolution and it should work fine.

I had the same issue. The Apple TV was streaming extremely slow while every other device in the house was working fine.

I realized it was sitting on top of my sound bar and may have interference from the magnetic field cause by the speaker’s magnets.

As soon as I moved the Apple it away from the sound bar and changed its position it worked flawlessly.

I hope this helps

I’ve had the same issue for a long time… months. Apple TV+ app constantly pauses and buffers for long periods while no other app on my Apple TV does the same. If I use the AppleTV+ app via my Roku, it’s fine. It’s only Apple on Apple that sucks. Makes no sense.