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Netflix stuttering Apple TV 4K

Recently my 2021 purchased Apple TV 4k (Model A2169) started stuttering on some Netflix shows. This was especially noticeable on The Perfect Couple. It would happen frequently and look like dropped frames.


I have done the following:


  1. Played around with all settings, including Match Frame Rate etc with no fix.
  2. Completely reset the box and had it reinstall TVOS.
  3. Unplugged it for 1, 5, 10 minutes, then hours then a full day with no fix.
  4. Unit is ethernet hard wired into router which is 300mbs service.


As per many other posts on this topic on the web, the shows on Netflix that stutter through the Apple TV play fine on the TVs Netflix app. TV is a Panasonic GZ2000.


I know there is an issue with content on Netflix shot at 24fps being forced to play at 23.997, but that is a dropped frame every 30-40 seconds, not the frequent stuttering I am getting.


The interesting issue is I have a spare Apple TV 4K (model A1842) from 2018 that has TVOS 14.45 installed. It does NOT stutter on the same shows no matter what I try. Same settings etc, but no stutter at all.


I am loathe to update it as it is working perfectly and I know you cannot downgrade an Apple TV.


Does anyone know if this points to a hardware issue with the 2021 version or if this is a software issue? The only way I would be able to tell is if I upgraded the 2018 box to the new TVOS, but if it brings back the stuttering I am stuck.


Any ideas?


Thanks

Apple TV 4K

Posted on Oct 10, 2024 8:45 AM

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Posted on Dec 3, 2024 4:24 PM

Same here. I’ve tried a bunch of stuff in this thread. Nothing works. Annoying to have all the latest hardware and software from Apple, Netflix, and LG and pay through the nose for everything and not have it work. I hope the team from Netflix is paying attention and they don’t have the Tyson streaming team tasked with fixing it because then we’re toast. Hot mess!

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Dec 3, 2024 4:24 PM in response to JMW1967

Same here. I’ve tried a bunch of stuff in this thread. Nothing works. Annoying to have all the latest hardware and software from Apple, Netflix, and LG and pay through the nose for everything and not have it work. I hope the team from Netflix is paying attention and they don’t have the Tyson streaming team tasked with fixing it because then we’re toast. Hot mess!

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Oct 10, 2024 2:14 PM in response to JMW1967

  • If the issue is only present on Netflix, as opposed to all content, then I would rule out hardware. I don't have that specific model, but rather the next 3rd generation (Model number: A2737) and can confirm it is also working without issue.


Have you tried deleting and reinstalling the Netflix app? If it persists try first reaching out to Netflix to see what they say, and then call Apple support and they can run through things with you to narrow down what is going on.

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Oct 19, 2024 1:37 AM in response to vazandrew

I got no where with Netflix support. They took me through the usual basic questions (cables, Internet connection, rebooting etc) and finally got to the point where they would ask me questions from an actual tech support.


However they only went through the next level ones (reinstall App, Match Frame & Range etc) before saying it was an Apple problem and that it was guaranteed that a 'factory reset' would solve the issue.


So back to square one. I have done 3 Resets on both boxes and the judder continues. I have tried as many resolutions as possible with some changes, but the judder is still there. I have switched cables and inputs on the TV with no change so I don't see anything else I can try.


I have ordered a new box from Apple to see if it is the box itself. If it isn't I can return it with the return window for a refund.


I still firmly think it is a Netflix app problem with TVOS18 as I had no issues with previous operating systems.


Very frustrating.

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Oct 11, 2024 12:12 PM in response to vazandrew

Thanks for the reply.


I had not actually tried that so I did tonight. At first it worked on The Perfect Couple, so I tried The Midnight Sky and the stuttering was present. I switched back to The Perfect Couple and it happened there again too.


I immediately switched the boxes again and neither show did it at all.


It’s clear to me that this must be a software problem as you are correct that if it was hardware it would be doing it across all streaming services.


I’ll see if Apple or Netflix can assist but I don’t hold out much hope as there isn’t much else to test.


Thanks



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Oct 12, 2024 3:01 AM in response to vazandrew

Thanks vazandrew.


I bit the bullet and updated the old box to 18.0 and it now does the same skipping as the newer one. I didn't have much choice as other apps installed under 14.5 would not work so I had to give it a try.


Very disappointing. I will try Netflix support but I highly doubt they will offer any real assistance beyond reinstall / reboot etc.


Thanks

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Oct 12, 2024 4:42 AM in response to JMW1967

It would be up to Netflix to investigate the issue with their app and issue an update to fix it. If they just suggest those simple troubleshooting then you need to escalate it to a higher rep until they take it seriously. I know it’s frustrating, but hope it works out.

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Oct 20, 2024 5:23 AM in response to vazandrew

I received the new box and there is no stuttering on the two shows I was previously testing, however the box is running TVos 17.5. I am not going to update it to 18 until there is an 18.01 or newer and/or until I see the Netflix app has been updated.


@vazandrew - are you running 18 on your A2737?


Thanks

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Nov 10, 2024 12:58 AM in response to JMW1967

Well this issue continues on my new Apple TV 4K, but it much worse now. On the show Kaos it regularly skips and then degrades the video quality to 480 or less and is unwatchable. Only happens on the Netflix app (Apple TV+ is crystal clear, as are all other streaming apps) so it must be the Netflix Apple TV app. I went through all the Netflix chat tech support who, of course, said it's the Apple TV box that has the problem.


Very disappointed in Netflix. It used to work perfectly but now I can only watch it through the TV app, which is fine, but I really like the new enhance dialogue option on the ATV, so I will have to wait and see if Netflix updates its app.

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Nov 16, 2024 9:25 PM in response to enricoclaudio

Same problem here, lots of different show are unwatchable and it is tedious to wait a minute or two for the video to stop stuttering only to have it go right back to that again in a few minutes. Gladiator worked fine in the past but now is a stuttering mess, watching it on PS5 and the Samsung Netflix app both work fine. I have had apple tv's going back many years and never had such a painful experience just trying to watch a show. I also have tried playing with different settings, no good results so far, honestly you would think Apple or Netflix could spend a bit of time to get this sorted out, but here we are as members of the ATV Netflix Stuttering club.

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Nov 17, 2024 3:00 AM in response to daslave

Disappointed to welcome you to the club.


As I noted above I happen to have an older ATV that had 14.5 OS installed and Netflix worked perfectly. The minute it upgraded to 18 and above all the issues started, so very clear again it is only the Netflix app that has the issue.


If you want to waste your time, contact Netflix support, but they will just run you through the usual nonsense of rebooting and reinstalling and then blame the device. The last option they gave me as 'watch Netflix on a different device'. Thanks, so helpful.


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Nov 24, 2024 2:50 AM in response to enricoclaudio

I see the Netflix app was updated on 18 November and for me, it is inexplicably worse. We started watching the new Ted Danson show Inside Man and the stutters every few seconds made it unwatchable. Switched to our TV Netflix app and it streams fine, of course.


Tired of this Netflix!

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Jan 6, 2025 2:30 AM in response to JMW1967

An UPDATE


I was using Starlink for my ISP. Regularly I would get 200-250 down. However in the last few months the service has degraded at night to the point when I do a speed test, it could be as low as 10 down. However I could do one 2 minutes later and it would be 50-100. Overall, very irregular speeds and high latency compared to FTTC.


As there is no reported fix for peak time service degradation (they said I needed to pay double to get 'priority') and interestingly in our area you cannot sign up for Starlink as it is now stated to be at capacity, I downgraded back to FTTC with 54 down speeds. However the latency is 7ms (as compared to 20-30 with Starlink) and no matter which test server I choose, I always get 48-50 down on a test.


Long story to say without any other changes, all my stuttering is gone. I have tested and tested numerous times and it never happens.


All I can guess is the latency an unstable speeds are not acceptable to the Netflix Apple TV App for some reason. It does not explain why the in-built app on my TV worked, but I am thrilled that at least I can use ATV again for Netflix.



Hope this helps some of you!

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Netflix stuttering Apple TV 4K

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