Netflix Problems

I spoke to Netflix support and they helped me fix this issue.

Solution: Switch from your automatic DNS settings to Google's DNS server. General->Network->Configure TCP/IP->Manual and pick 008.008.008.008.

Now, I was stumped a bit since I have an XBox 360 on the same network with no issues. The support guy said that Apple TV connects to their licensing servers a bit differently so this should fix the issue.

Thanks so much sriramk! This fixed my problem. I was going crazy trying to figure out what the issue was because I was able to play everything from Apple rental, Youtube, Flickr, etc just fine. I was able to log into Netflix and browse their library just fine. However, upon launching a Netflix title, I get an error message to try again later. I thought my ATV2 was defective because my PS3 was able to play Netflix just fine.

Upon making the manual DNS change to Google's DNS server: 8.8.8.8 on the ATV2 Netflix works right away. None of my problem did not appear to be a DNS issue because I was able to resolve and access all the other internet services, including Netflix. It was only playing of the actual Netflix video where my problem lies. Additionally, my router was set up to use Google's DNS server already. I wonder if there is a bug with ATV2 and Netflix playback if your router is task with resolving the DNS query?

One final observation. I read that the lastest iOS for ATV2 is firmware 4.1. However, when I check on my ATV2's about page, it shows that I am running version 4.0. Going to software update from within the ATV2's interface, Apple says I am already running the latest version. That's odd. I may have to run out and pick up a micro b usb cable and force a restore to 4.1 via the computer. Anybody else seeing the same thing?

patdpoo,
DNS is nothing scary. It's simply a server that resolves human friendly names such as yahoo.com or google.com to the IP address that computers understands: 67.195.160.76 or 66.102.7.104 respectively. So, we can use any DNS server that is set up properly publicly available for domain name resolution.

From the looks of this thread, those using OpenDNS server is having trouble getting the new ATV to properly stream Netflix movies. I had this issue myself.

To fix, you can make the DNS change on the router or from within the ATV. Making the DNS change on the router means that all computers or devices connected to your home router will use the new DNS server. If you make the DNS change on the ATV only, then only the ATV will use the new DNS server.

For simplicity, I would simply make the change on the ATV as that's the only device with issues. Going from memory so forgive me. On your ATV, locate Settings -> General -> Network -> Configure TCP/IP -> Manually.

If you have connected to you network before, you'll see that most of the needed info is already pre-populated for you. Simply accept those numbers by hitting "done" until you get to the DNS screen. Step by step instruction is below in case you need more hand holding:


1. The first screen is the IP (network) address screen. If it looks like a valid address for your network, simply accept that by hitting "done" or fill in the correct address. Most likely a 192.168.x.x address where x are numbers unique to the router brand you have at home.

2. The next screen is the subnet mask. Should also be prefilled for you. Probably something like 255.255.255.0 Simply accept that by hitting "done."

3. Now you'll be shown the screen asking for your router. Again, if your ATV have been connected to the network and pulled an address from DHCP, it should be prefilled. So hit "done" if there is an address of 192.168.100.1 or 192.168.0.1 or something else if you have a router that employs a entirely different network address.

4. Now, on the fourth screen is the input field for DNS. This is the screen we are after. It'll probably be pre-populated with the router's IP address like the previous screen. If you would like to use google, simply enter 8.8.8.8 and hit "done."

That's all there is to it. You made the DNS change from whatever your router was using for DNS to Google's public DNS server or 8.8.8.8. Now, go back to Netflix and see if that resolves your issue. If not, you may have a problem unrelated to the solution that was presented in this thread.

Good luck.

As mentioned previously, the "can't access Netflix" and "extremely slow network" problems are two different things. My problem is the latter.

My ATV2 has no problem accessing things (iTunes store, Netflix, home network), but is unbelievably slow. Like many others, I get a long wait with the spinning daisy, then 3-5 seconds of a Netflix show before it kicks out back to the menu.

Also, when I rented a movie from the store, it took a long time (couple of minutes) before it came up and said "your show will be ready in 925 minutes".

So I plugged an internet cable in directly and the thing was lightning fast.

I finally called Apple and got the usual "it must be wireless interference" line from the first tech, until I told the guy I have 2 desktops, five laptops, a Mac Mini, a Sony Bravia TV with a wireless access point, a Nintendo Wii, 2 iPhones, 2 iPod Touches and an iPad that all access the network (in various combinations) flawlessly all the time, going back several years. All of those devices can stream Netflix any time, no problem, while the ATV2 is dead in the water.

I have a newish Linksys WRT160n router. He handed me over to a supervisor who fairly quickly offered me an exchange, which I'll be doing today at an Apple store. Just for the heck of it, we tried changing channels on the router, and all kinds of other crap. No difference.

So basically, the wireless on the ATV2 has minimal connectivity, and it looks like there are a few defective units out there. I'll update tonight on how the new one works, but if you haven't contacted Apple yet - do it and ask to get your unit replaced. In all likelihood it's a hardware problem.

good luck all,
dave

<Edited by Host>

Based on the information at hand, right now, from this thread and other sources of information, here is what I think to be an (unofficial!) "best practices" troubleshooting guide if your AppleTV will not play Netflix (or other) streaming video wirelessly as you expect it to :

1. Cycle the power on your AppleTV. Just unplug it from electricity and wait a minimum of 30 seconds before applying power again. Check to see if the problem continues, or not.

2. Power down your entire network, including the AppleTV. This includes your router and your cable modem / DSL router. Again, give it a minimum of 30 seconds without power before plugging anything in. Apply power again in the following order : cable/DSL, router, AppleTV. Check to see if the problem continues.

3. Unplug everything from your network and run a data cable from your cable modem / DSL router directly to your AppleTV so the AppleTV is the only device on your network and see if the problem persists. This is now the baseline for testing. If the AppleTV works, there is a high probability something was interfering with your network or the router was misconfigured in some fashion.

4. Write down or otherwise record all the settings you can find from your router AND your AppleTV. This is a good practice no matter what. Before you go on make sure you have - by paper or text file or screen shot - recorded ALL the settings of your router AND AppleTV. *DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU HAVE NOT BACKED UP BOTH SETS OF SETTINGS*. You have been warned.

5. On the internet, search for the reset instructions from the manufacturer of your router. Do a 'hard' reset, taking the router back to factory settings. On some routers, there are two levels of reset : hard and soft. For example, on some Linksys routers holding the reset button for 5 seconds will give you a non-volitile (you won't lose settings) 'soft' reset, while holding the same button for 10-12 seconds will give you a 'hard' (all your settings are wiped out) reset. Perform the hard reset on your router, and also reset your AppleTV back to factory settings.

6. Wait for your router to fully restart from the resetting sequence. Without changing any data, or altering any settings anywhere, attempt to connect your AppleTV to the router using the default settings for both the router and AppleTV. Test for correct operation of Netflix or another streaming service you were having trouble with.

7. If all the preceding steps have failed, try taking the AppleTV to another location and testing operation with that wireless network. If your AppleTV works at another location, but doesn't work at your location, I am 99% certain the problem is your router. I suspect, but cannot prove right now, there may be an incompatibility problem between the AppleTV and certain routers. At this point, I believe this is what is making people believe this is an Apple or Netflix problem. I also note this is not a high improbability as there are compatibility issues with AppleTV and certain HDTVs.

*It would be very helpful if those who are having wireless connection issues where they cannot stream Netflix or other video with an AppleTV to post the brand, model numbers, and software/firmware version numbers of their routers to see if there is any correlation to be had there.*

8. If you are able and comfortable with changing the settings on your router, try taking it manually to a "B" connection instead of letting it auto-select between A, B, G, and N. Test the Netflix streaming on your AppleTV to see if it works.

9. Re-enter all the settings of your router, paying particular attention to re-entering them correctly. Do so with your AppleTV as well. Try the Netflix streaming again, and if it does not work immediately run a speed test from speedtest.net, and pick closest server to you. If your bandwidth is not running over 1.5mb/second, there isn't anything anyone can really do for you. As I stated in another post, for optimal performance and quality that 1.5mb/second limit should be treated as concrete, not jello. In other words, no - there is no 'fudge factor' to that limitation. It really is the absolute minimum for correct function.

10. Please call Netflix. If nothing has worked so far, and streaming from the Apple Store is working correctly, there is a high probability that it may be your Netflix account. Netflix would really like to hear from you no matter the device you are having trouble with. They really, sincerely want to get to the bottom of this so every AppleTV / Netflix experience is a great one. Repeating once more : Netflix can't fix what they don't know about, so please, please, please call Netflix even if you are somehow sure it is all Apple's fault. Netflix can use all the data they can get to find a solution.

11. Call Apple. The same reasoning applies here, too. Apple would like to get to the bottom of this if it truly is their product that is defective, but they can't prove that without your help in supplying them with data. Following these steps is a great start to doing that, so long as you do them before you call.

These steps are NOT meant to be all-encompassing. This is just a 'launching pad' for other troubleshooting steps. You should still check all your wires, cables, et cetera. Nothing I have written here obviates the need for troubleshooting steps like that. These are just the first line of defense, as it were, and not meant to be the entire process.

But I will also repeat : *PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO US ALL A FAVOR : DO NOT CHANGE MORE THAN ONE THING AT A TIME IN YOUR TROUBLESHOOTING, AND PLEASE OBSERVE ANY AND ALL CHANGES FOR THE BETTER OR WORSE BEFORE YOU JUMP TO THE CONCLUSION THIS PROBLEM IS ANY COMPANY'S FAULT.*

I am open to believing the AppleTV has a fault, but I will not go there without iron-clad proof to offer up to Apple so the problem will be permanently fixed. Everything posted here that doesn't move us forward is just noise, and I beg you : please let's keep the noise to a minimum until we have a solution.

Use Google’s Public DNS Server To Fix Apple TV 2 Streaming Problems

1. Start your Apple TV 2 and navigate to Settings => General => Network and click on Configure TCP/IP.

2. Select “Manually” next to Configure IP.

3. Click “Done” on the IP Address screen and do the same for both the Subnet Mask and Router Address screens.

4. Configure the DNS Address screen with the following IP address: 008.008.008.008 and click “Done.”

You should now be able to stream Netflix on your Apple TV 2.

Summary

What we did here (in network admin speak) was to set the Apple TV 2 to use a static IP address. Instead of using OpenDNS or the ISP’s DNS servers, which would be “handed out” by DHCP, we specified that the Apple TV 2 should use Google’s Public DNS server (8.8.8.8) which fixed our Netflix streaming problem on the Apple TV 2. On a business network you would never configure a static IP address within a dynamic range, but in a home this shouldn’t create a problem. I would also like to point out that this fix should also be tried even if you are not using OpenDNS because some ISP’s DNS servers might not be as reliable as they should be.

Update: March 2nd, 2011

I just setup an Apple TV 2 for a friend who uses Time Warner Cable Road Runner for his ISP. Netflix streaming didn’t work properly right out of the box and my friend did not have his router configured to use OpenDNS. Setting the Apple TV 2 DNS address to 8.8.8.8 immediately fixed the problem with Netflix streaming!

I finally got to the root of my problem. It was the router- Linksys WRT310N.

I got my ATV2 for my birthday back in October. From the first day, Netflix was unusable. Constant buffering (every minute or so, would take 15-20seconds, then play, then repeat buffering...) I tried many things, including tweaking the settings on my router, to no avail. I tried Netflix on several devices, all were fine except for the ATV2.

I have 20Mbps Comcast internet, didn't think this was the issue.

PS3- I could see that it would buffer to High/HD almost immediately, stay there, and never stutter. Flawless.
Wii- same deal.
IPod Touch & iPhone- worked fine.
iMac (wired connection)- zero problems with Netflix.

Last month, I happened to be watching a video on Youtube on my work laptop, which has a wireless N card, consistently shows 130mbps wireless connection. It kept stuttering, and I've long experienced slow email sync, but I thought that was my company's VPN. I ran speedtest.net, got 1.0mbps download. Gee, that's odd. I ran it on my wife's 5 year old Dell, 12mbps via wireless G. My first gen Touch showed 8mbps. The download test on the ATV2 had ALWAYS taken FOREVER, but always said "successful."
Then it hit me- the wireless-N devices were being speed limited to 1.0mbps by the router. I had a friend bring his laptop over, same speedtest result. I did a hard reset and reboot on the router- BAM! 15mbps on my laptop, just like that.
I went upstairs and re-ran the ATV2 download test, and it finished in <30sec. It had taken 4-5 minutes previously. Went to Netflix, found an HD movie, and played. It buffered in <15 seconds, and played FLAWLESSLY.

I feel like a dunce for not figuring this out earlier, and not doing a restore default on the router sooner. Two Genius bar appts, too, and it worked great in the store each time.

I never did figure out why the Linksys was speed-limiting the N devices only. I decided to really go through the settings, upgraded the firmware to the latest, and all was great for 3 days. Then, it started randomly rebooting and kill my internet connection (also killing my Ooma VOIP phone), and multiple resets/restores haven't helped. I surrendered, and bought an Airport Extreme earlier today.

So, I've moved from a VERY frustrated ATV owner, to a really content one. Now I can use ALL the features it came with. I'm contemplating buying two more, now that I've gotten it to work.

I was having lots problems with Netflix movies stuttering/stopping, and rented iTunes movies doing the same thing, or wanting 20 hours to download.

Then I edited my Airport Extreme in manual mode (instead of using the wizard). There are additional settings that appear in the manual mode of editing the router. The key one, for me, was to give the 5G network a different name. Once I did that, and reconfigured ATV to use that wi-fi network, all of my problems went away.

My understanding is that by default the 2.5mhz and the 5mhz, when using the same network name, will switch back and forth between frequencies depending upon the capabilities of the clients attached. Once one client attaches that can't communicate using the 5mhz frequency (iphone 4, *** apple??, the ipad can talk 5mhz but the newer iphone 4 can't) then all wifi traffic is dropped to the 2.5mhz frequency. This opens the network up to lots of interference (microwaves, neighbors wifi on channels that are close, etc).

By giving the 5mhz network a different name and explicitly connecting to it there should be no more switching.

The other thing is that the airport extreme will auto select clear channels when it restarts, so if you're having issues simply restart the router and let it pick clear channels.

Prior to this netflix was stuttering on ATV2, my ipad, my iphone, and my laptop.

After making this change the video is clear, sharp, and stutter free.

Was on the phone with netflix this seems to be a bandwidth issue.
When I direct plugged in the ATV2 and cable modem it worked.
MY isp is time warner. It may also be a atv network issue.
My xbox, ps3 and ipad work in my network with out direct connecting to my cable modem.
I am not using Wifi (hard wired)

Message was edited by: GaLupo

Same issues here. I had a dlink router, switched to a new airport in anticipation of the atv. It seemed slower and tests said it was. Tried the new apple tv and it worked well, except any Internet related tasks like netflix. I tried all the suggestions and none worked. Finally setup the old router and removed the airport and Internet speed increased and atv netflix worked well. Given the volume of data for streaming atv, I used a hardwired connection to avoid wireless congestion. I will be returning the apple airport. 😟. The dlink is a dir655, the airport is the latest greatest.

Jon

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I have a router with dd-wrt and I force all of my DNS traffic to OpenDNS. I switched it to Google's DNS, rebooted the Apple TV and it took right off.

I've sent a message to OpenDNS' support letting them know of this issue. Hopefully it gets resolved because I enjoy being able to limit what my network users go to (lots of people connect via my internet connection and to thwart malware, I block a lot of bad stuff on my network thanks to OpenDNS).

I've seen a slightly different problems described here. My AppleTV was streaming Netflix fine until yesterday. Then, while I was able to browse content and read descriptions, as soon as I tried to play anything I got an error message saying it couldn't reach the Netflix server and what turned out to be an Apple error code I believe of 112. Anyway, I talked to Netflix and, while they said they had problems for about 3 hours on Oct 8th with some BluRay players and Apple TVs, that wasn't my problem. He suggested I power cycle (unplug) the thing and it worked fine after.

It never occurred to me to power cycle it since everything else about it was working fine, including streaming other internet content like YouTube.

Thought I would share.

I've got my ATV working now! Please read my previous post to find out what I had tried.

I have been working with Apple support and they've really tried hard to help us figure this out. The support person was in touch with an Apple Engineer. So yesterday, I call the support person back to see what the Apple engineers had to say.

A recap: I'm on Charter Cable. I have an Airport Extreme set up with my iMac for the home network/wireless. Hubby has a PC, we also use Charter digital telephone. So we have a modem for the internet and a telephone modem. (I didn't mention this before, but I thought it was worth mentioning)
We tried using the Open DNS and Google DNS as suggested on the forum with no luck. I've unplugged and restarted ATV2 and Airport Extreme. Though this helped a bit, still was not playing TV shows and taking forever to load on Netflix.

So yesterday, I called back the same person I've been working with at Apple. He did have a few things to try from the Engineers. One was to plug ATV2 into the Airport Extreme directly, but that wasn't practical for my setup and we scratched that idea. Here is what he had me do next that worked!

Open Apple Extreme Utilities -> Internet (at the top) -> TCP/IP -> removed the Google DNS, let it default back to my ISP's DNS servers. Wrote those numbers down. Saved those settings.

Go to the ATV2 - > Settings -> General -> Network - > Configure TCP/IP - > Manual - > leave the first three screens by just scrolling through to the last screen. Then put in the first DNS numbers I wrote down from my Apple Extreme. So both my Apple Extreme and my ATV2 are using my ISP's DNS servers - same one.

That is it! That has worked. We've been able to stream the Office and other TV shows and movies since from Netflix. No buffering issues, no quiting issues, nothing. It's now running smooth and it is very clear and sharp.

When I was on the phone with the support person, we got it working. So Apple knows and will report to the Engineers. But he's not left me yet. He wants me to watch it a few days and then get back to him to report if there are any issues at all.

A simple fix but took awhile to get here and figure it out. I hope this helps someone else.

Thanks!

Update:

I can't see my instant queue. Called Netflix, they said it was Apple's problem. Called Apple, they said it was Netflix's. Called them both again and they said they'd look into it. Keep in mind that every OTHER Netflix list works and streams fine, just not my Instant Queue.

I finally thought to call my brother, because HE has a Netflix account. I logged out of the aTV and logged in as him. Guess what. HIS queue came up no problem. Now I KNEW it was not Apple's problem, but my account with Netflix. I called them AGAIN (about the 6th time in 24 hours) and told them the situation. After being put on hold for 15 minutes Netflix came back on and said it was a really "weird and unusual" problem where something was blocking it on their end. She then said a tech would fix it but that it could be 1-2 days.

That was at 11 last night. Will update when I get more info. Those with the same problem, try a buddy's ID and see if his works and if it is JUST your's beeing blocked.