2nd Gen Apple TV started buffering after new router installation.

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Level 1

4 points

2nd Gen Apple TV started buffering after new router installation.

Hello everyone. I have a 2nd Gen Apple TV 4k, which has been working fine for a long time, however I recently installed and started using a TP-Link AX6000/AX80 wifi 6 router and now my Apple TV will not stream content, or it streams but with very low quality after buffering for 4-5 minutes. I have no issues connecting to the wifi, no other device has issues connecting/using the wifi. Only my apple TV for some reason. My connection is pretty solid, getting around 400/500mbits with speedtest, so this is not the issue. The Apple TV can connect and has no issues with the ISP modem, which has lower speeds and a weaker wifi signal. So, my assumption is that the Apple TV has issues with newer technology, specifically wifi 6 maybe.

I have tried resetting/restarting everything. I've uninstalled and reinstalled apps. Disconnected and reconnected to the wifi, etc. Nothing has cured the situation.

Apple TV 4K

Posted on Aug 15, 2024 8:49 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Zurarczurx

Level 4

3,717 points

Aug 15, 2024 9:10 AM in response to xDMCx

Can you connect the Apple TV directly to the router with a good Ethernet cable to rule out WiFi problems?

It's unlikely, but check that your router hasn't got any QoS - Quality of Service - settings that would restrict data rates to the Apple TV device or IP Addresses or Apps that it uses. Ditto any bandwidth limiting that the router allows.

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Answer 2

Zurarczurx

Level 4

3,717 points

Aug 15, 2024 9:34 AM in response to xDMCx

If you can test with a cable it will show or rule out WiFi problems.

I just had a look at your router online. The blurb says "TP-Link HomeShield: Enhanced security defends against the latest cyber threats." Have you checked to make sure that this isn't impacting the Apple TV?

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Answer 3

xDMCx Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 15, 2024 9:58 AM in response to Zurarczurx

From what I can see Homeshield is mostly a paid service with additional features. QoS is under homeshield settings, but other than that there doesn't seem to be any restricting features in the basic (free) version. Nothing I can toggle on or off or adjust. In the meantime, I can try the lan cable to see if that solves the issue.

Edit: works perfectly fine with a lan cable

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Answer 4

Zurarczurx

Level 4

3,717 points

Aug 15, 2024 10:58 AM in response to xDMCx

I don't think I can be much help if it's a WiFi problem apart from the usual of making sure you're not using the same channels as nearby routers - which I assume that the router takes care of itself. There are wifi analyser apps that will tell you the channels that are being used around you so you can avoid them. I assume you've played around with the WiFi settings on the router to see if anything makes a difference. If you can then maybe try manually setting the channel to the bottom, middle and then top of the band and see if it's any better.

Also - are you going straight to the router via WiFi and not through a mesh or extender? If you are then turn it off and go straight to the router to see if it improves.

Good luck and if you find a fix then come back and tell us in case others have similar problems.

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,612 points

Aug 15, 2024 9:58 AM in response to xDMCx

Try the test with an Ethernet cable. However, first please unplug the Apple TV from its power source for about 5 minutes then plug it back in and test. If that fails, try the Ethernet cable suggestion.

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