Apple TV 3rd generation impossible to reset wifi password

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Level 1

5 points

Apple TV 3rd generation impossible to reset wifi password

I need to start using an Apple TV 3rd generation, but it has remembered an old password to my wifi network. It seems to be impossible to make Apple TV forget this password. It always tries to connect, and fails. The window that would let me enter my password doesn't open.

I have tried resetting to factory settings, directly on the Apple TV as well as via my macbook connected to the Apple TV. Didn't help.

I have two wifi networks, my own and a guest network. I can connect to the guest network, but not to my own network, so I guess it's not linked to network security, because both networks use the same security settings.

When Apple TV tells me it failed to connect, I have retried lots of times, it doesn't seem to get out of this loop.

Any help or tips would be appreciated.

Posted on Nov 20, 2024 6:21 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 20, 2024 11:02 AM in response to tom vdv

I have tried resetting to factory settings.

A reset device wouldn’t remember any previous connected networks. Such settings would be wiped.

But if you’re convinced that it does, then you can try renaming the SSID network name on your router. A different name would appear to the Apple TV box as a completely new network, requesting a password as well.

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Answer 2

tom vdv Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 20, 2024 10:54 AM in response to hcsitas

I know it's old. For what I intend to do with it, it is all I need. I have a newer one for the other stuff. I just want to figure out how I can enter the new WIFI password in the Apple TV 3rd generation, no more, no less.

I don't like to throw things away just because there are newer things available. Our society is already enough based on that attitude.

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Answer 3

tom vdv Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 20, 2024 11:16 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Thanks for your reply. For some kind of reason, resetting wipes the password of my guest network, but not the one of the main network. As I mentioned, I did a reset on the Apple tv directly, as well as via my macbook connected via cable to the Apple tv.

Renaming the SSID network name is an option I thought of, but seen the number of devices connected to my main network, it would mean quite some work to switch all of them...

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Answer 4

hcsitas

Level 6

12,890 points

Nov 20, 2024 8:25 AM in response to tom vdv

That ATV is over a decade old and officially obsolete. Replace with new.

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Answer 5

hcsitas

Level 6

12,890 points

Nov 20, 2024 11:19 AM in response to tom vdv

Since it won’t play even after a factory reset (which wipes everything clean), there’s no choice IMO but to replace. But first try power-cycling your router, just might work. Good luck!

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