Since updating to MacOS 15.2, MacBook Pro cannot connect to Roku

Question

Since updating to MacOS 15.2, MacBook Pro cannot connect to Roku

I have been using Airplay to connect my MacBook Pro to my TV via a Roku Streaming Stick. Though there have been some issues and bugs, it has been working. However, since updating to MacOS Sequoia 15.2 yesterday, the video is no longer displayed on the TV, and on the MacBook screen, I see the message "Unable to connect to Roku Streaming Stick." Both devices are connected to the same wifi network; that has not changed. I'd like to unpair and then pair them again, but so far I haven't found instructions on how to do that. Since this issue coincides with an OS update, I'm guessing that this is a new bug. I have logged a couple of bugs related to this one but not exactly the same. It's actually better to watch a video this way because the color and lighting (on my external monitor) are much better on the TV than on the MacBook. I'll log another bug on this issue.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.2

Posted on Dec 12, 2024 7:34 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

alforkosh

Level 1

19 points

Dec 13, 2024 12:13 PM in response to alforkosh

Airplaying to a video destination from a WiFi-connected Mac running MacOS15.2 requires that the system firewall (System Setting>Netwrok>Firewall) be turned off. However, the firewall can remain active if the Mac is connected to the network via Ethernet.

If I turn off the system firewall (System Settings>Network>Firewall), Airplay from my WiFi-connected MacBookPro to my Apple TV and LG TV works. If I connect my M1Max MacStudiop via WiFi only, I can't complete the connection with the firewall active. I can complete it by turning the firewall on or by restoring the Ethernet connection.

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,472 points

Dec 16, 2024 1:09 PM in response to JSPerko

I have an iMac, Apple TV, and LG TV (although the TV brand is probably not relevant). I just turned off the iMac firewall, and it now works. I still have the Eset firewall running, so the iMac one is probably just redundant.

If you are connected to the internet through a NAT router (pretty much all of them), then both are redundant unless you poked a hole in your router to let the internet in.

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Answer 3

JSPerko

Level 1

8 points

Dec 16, 2024 1:07 PM in response to alforkosh

I have an iMac, Apple TV, and LG TV (although the TV brand is probably not relevant). I just turned off the iMac firewall, and it now works. I still have the Eset firewall running, so the iMac one is probably just redundant.

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Answer 4

Dec 13, 2024 2:27 PM in response to alforkosh

I tried turning off the firewall. The only difference is that the TV screen did not blank out and that the displays of my MacBook and external monitor did not black out for a few seconds as normally occurs. I still get 'Could not connect to "Roku Streaming Stick."' However, I did try connecting with Ethernet with the firewall off, and I am able to connect to the Roku with the firewall on or off. However, with the firewall on after about a minute the connection ended. Then, when I tried to reconnect, I got the blank TV screen again.

So, it appears that I now have to use Ethernet instead of wifi and turn off the firewall to use the Roku device.

It also seems that this is a result of something new in MacOS 15.2. I don't know why Apple made this change, but it is certainly an unwelcome one.

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Answer 5

Dec 14, 2024 7:30 PM in response to stevegoldfield

Same thing here with M2 Max. My partner connects fine with Intel chip. Probably something they didn't test.

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Answer 6

Dec 13, 2024 11:03 AM in response to stevegoldfield

Similar problem. M3Pro MacBookPro won't Airplay to my AppleTV or my LG TV. The TV shows me the choices between mirroring, extending, or showing a window, but then doesn't finish the connection. For my Apple TV, it tries for a while and then gives up. My M1Max MacStudio has no issues.

The LG TV Apple TVs are all WiFi connected to a router in the same room and on the same 5G channel. The MacStudio has an Ethernet connection to the same router.

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Answer 7

dialabrain

Level 10

137,013 points

Dec 12, 2024 8:06 PM in response to stevegoldfield

I know it's not quite the same but I can mirror my M2 MBA running Sequoia 15.2 to my TCL Roku TV.

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Answer 8

Dec 15, 2024 8:14 AM in response to zorkzoirark49

I have an Intel chip. So that is not the issue.

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