Netflix Problems

Netflix is garbage on the apple tv. Not matter what DNS I am set to I have nothing but issues. About ready to dump ATV2 and move to something else. I don't think apple will admit they have an issue and when I can stream on all other devices with no issue I'm farily certain I know the culprit. Thanks for standing by your product Apple. Disappointed...

These are the steps that Netflix recommended (they did not work for me)

Powercycle the device by unplugging it and replugging it back in.

Reboot your home network by turning your router and modem off and on to refresh the internet connection.

If you have a wireless router, password-protect it to prevent unauthorized access to your wireless network.

If using a wireless connection, try connecting your Netflix-ready device directly to your modem or router with an ethernet cable.

If using a wireless connection, move your router to a new location to improve signal strength. Walls and other electronic devices in the home may interfere with your wireless signal.

Change your router's wireless channel to improve signal strength

If the above steps do not work, contact your ISP...

:-(

Hi All,

I have been having similar issues where Netflix will only steam for a short time then need to buffer again.

I have a rather complex setup at home and did some troubleshooting to see what the issue is.

I run the traffic through a linux based firewall which gives me traffic stats. Oddly enough today I applied an update to my ATV2 and while it was loading switched off my TV. Shortly after switching off the TV I noticed the traffic spike on the firewall >6Mbps... hmm odd.

Later I switched the TV on to check the status '7 mins remaining'... then it just froze. No more downloading. Checked the FW stats and we were down <100kbps.

OK - weird. Let the update finish with the TV off and continued some troubleshooting.

Ran my laptop through the FW checking the FW stats. 1-2Mbps while streaming it was pretty constant.

Tried the ATV2. Would sit around the 200kbps mark and not stream particulaly well at all. Switched off the TV and checked the FW stats >1mbps. Let it run for a while checking the stats and it was consistently above 500kbps. Switch on TV and the FW stats flat line back down <100kbps.

Very strange... I can keep re-creating the problem using the above. So my ATV2 works fine... I just cant turn my TV on.

Also I should mention that the network was isolated during these tests and I tested wireless .11g and wired. Results were consistent across all layer 1/2 access methods.

I am just wondering if this is a Panasonic Viera -> ATV2 issue??? What is everyone else that is having issues using?

Any television has this issue. Have used two LG and a Samsung. Same issue each time.

Ok so I have done more troubleshooting...

Turned off 'viera link' on my panasonic - no improvement.

Confirmed it wasnt to do with the HDMI by unplugging it. TV on <100kbps, TV off >1mbps

Tried relocating the ATV2 to another power point in order to rule out the board it was plugged into. Used an extension cord to sit the ATV2 under the TV. Same result as above.

Tried a different socket altogether - from another room. No change.

Tried moving the ATV2 away from the TV (no hdmi plugged in). Still no improvement (I am basing this on the traffic I can see on my firewall).

The above is a screen shot from my FW.

Blue: ATV2 booting up

Yellow: chose a movie and began playing, as you can see the traffic rates are very low, maybe around 200kbps (higher than what I usually get).

Green: Turned TV off - instantly the traffic spikes. This is consistent time and time again.

Orange: TV back on - instantly the traffic drops and the movie only plays for a few seconds before buffering again.

Pretty much at a loss now...

OK - I think I have a resolution for my issue...

While I was writing the above post I had my ATV2 running with my TV on. I noticed that all of a sudden the traffic spiked and the ATV2 was downloading at a decent rate.

What had changed? Well my TV has a screen saving mode where it goes dim. This had kicked in and now all of a sudden the ATV2 was working.

Next I moved the ATV2 back in front of the TV. Plugged in the HDMI, the TV light up. I noticed the traffic slowed right down. I opened up the menu on my TV and turned the brightness and contrast right down. Traffic spiked.

I gradually increased the brightness and contrast and now my ATV2 is working fine.

Original TV settings:

Brightness: 58

Contrast: 80

New TV settings:

Brightness: 50

Contrast: 50

Hope this helps others... I dont really have a good explanation as to why these settings on your TV may impact the ability for the ATV2 to dload from netflix.

I was thinking EM fields something like that but cant explain it...

I tried everything, DNS change, IPs etc..., nothing seemed to work so I tried the classic archaic "Unplug/Plug" and it fixed it. And I realized that could've been the reason why everything started in the first place. "Off/On".

Well, I'm am at my wits end. Have had TWC here. Emailed with Netflix. Unless their is a update coming I'm headed to Apple and demanding a refund or this Apple TV is going through their Apple store window. Great concept, poor execution. Any suggestions on another device that isn't plauged with this problem.

This seems to have worked for me:

http://www.compunoodle.com/fix-apple-tv-2-netflix-streaming-problems/

It's a link to instructions to change the ATV's DNS address trick.

Hey there

My setup is: Apple TV is connected wirelessly to Airport Extreme. My Broadband connection is 20MBps and it always tests high when I run internet speed tests.

Still, I have the same issue here - I can play Netflix on my PC, on my iPhone, on my iPad, on Nintendo Wii, all wirelessly and connecting to the absolute same network, without any problems. When I'm using Appe TV, especially in the evening (?!?!?) it takes a while to load, starts playing, plays for about 30 seconds, stops again, etc etc etc as many of you have described in this thread.

I've already changed the DNS to 8.8.8.8 with no change whatsoever to the end results.

I have no idea how to troubleshoot this and at this point I assume there's no solution (no other than changing DNS). I assume the DNS change is good for those experiencing other issues such as connection errors to netflix. Again, that's not my case - I just get what appears to be a slow connection that keeps recycling over and over...

Anyway, if anyone has any further suggestions, I'd appreciate it!

Thanks

I found that my performance improved /dramatically/ when I checked that the HDMI cable was securely plugged in at both ends. Sometimes the cables are the cause of many problems.

HAVE EXACT PROBLEM ON BOTH 4S iPhones. iPads seem to be fine. Netflix suggests it is the 3G needs to be wi-fi BUT that was untrue 2-3 weeks ago. Was working FINE until then. HELP !!

This is exactly what Netflix told me. After an hour chat with Comcast and much troubleshooting on my end, we determined that my internet connection is excellent (airport extreme). Netflix keeps asking me to install Silverlight. I keep reinstalling the old Silverlight and installing the new one, but I continually get the same connection error from Netflix. I'm using the required OS and browsers. Help?

May help to post in the appropriate section

I've been having the same problem - Netflix stopping every 5 - 90 seconds during streaming and stopping for a while.

This might sound strange, but I was trying to find the serial number on the ATV2 and after I was holding the ATV2 for a bit, it worked fine. I don't know if this is because an electrical charge was built up around the device and screwing with the signal, but it's all streaming perfectly now.

It's like when you build up a static electricity charge by scuffing your socks on the ground.

Go to your ATV2, wipe it down with your hands to kill any electrical charge and restart a program.

I'm not promising anything, but it worked for me. Hopefully it will last 🙂

Best of luck to you all...

;D