Airplay audio cuts out intermittently

Hello, I'm having an issue with Airplay I can't seem to fix. When I play anything via airplay with my Ipad, Ipod touch, or Iphone, it will play OK for a minute or two but then the audio cuts out for 5-10 seconds. The audio comes back, but then it will cut out again repeatedly every few minutes. I am playing through my Airport express. I have two airport express units, and they both have the same issue no matter the source (Ipad, Ipod, or Iphone). I'm also using an Airport Extreme as my router. Since it's all Apple hardware you'd think it would just "work", but not in this case apparently.

I've searched for answers, here's what I've tried so far without success:

1) Disabled bluetooth on the source devices
2) Updated firmware on all devices
3) I've restarted/rebooted all devices numerous times
3) It's not a range issue, because I've placed the Ipod touch within inches of the Airport express. Same problem.

At a loss, any ideas folks? thanks.

Ipad, Ipod, Iphone, Windows XP Pro, playing audio through to my airport express units

Posted on Jan 1, 2011 7:19 AM

Top-ranking reply

jakefromringwood

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Sep 2, 2017 7:04 PM

Hey fellow frustrated airplay users, I've recently fixed this and wanted to share.

I'd never had this issue until our internet was moved from ADSL to NBN (Australia's fibre-optic network). When I installed the new service I also updated my Airport Express, so my first guess was that it was a recent update issue and they would fix it. Then after reading a bunch of replies to this thread it became clear the issue was with AE's automatic 2.4ghz and 5 ghz channels. Airplay fails to work properly on the 5 ghz network.

The fix is to split the two manually then use the 2.4 ghz network when you want to use airplay. To do this:

1. Open Airport Utility

2. Select your Airport Express and click Edit

3. Select the "Wireless" tab

4. Then click the "Wireless Options" button

5. Check/tick the box that says 5ghz network name. This then splits the two bands. I kept the name suggested by Apple, as this makes it simple but you can name the 5ghz as something else like "this is the wifi network that won't play music"

6. Click "save"

7. Click "update"

8. When your wifi reloads, select the network that's NOT named "{network name 5ghz}".

9. Enjoy music without the dropouts!!!

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179 replies

Quasi

Level 1

15 points

Nov 8, 2013 7:40 AM in response to PCunicelli

I have the exact same problem with my iphone 5s and the bose soundlink air. Even from my iPad with iOS7 it does work very well.. but with the iphone it drops after 2 seconds. what a mess...

rmendes5

Level 1

0 points

Dec 28, 2013 1:51 PM in response to black banshee

The following worked for me.

Disabling "Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multi-media) Settings" in your router.

This can found either under "Adavaced settings" or "QoS Settings".

Jan 15, 2014 6:37 PM in response to Arthur_P_Johnson

Rebooted my Denon avr-e300 and the problem went away. Weird, I know.

Mar 3, 2014 11:33 PM in response to black banshee

I am having the same issue I am now hooked up with a cat5 cable and it is still cutting out verry frusterating returning it tomorrow.

Mar 9, 2014 8:04 AM in response to Éamonn Ó Catháin

Sorry, that should have read "excluded my iMac G4" and of "paramount" importance. I cannot see how to edit posts when using my iPad to post.

theduro

Level 1

0 points

Apr 9, 2014 4:28 PM in response to nicolasbol

After folling this thread, I seem to have worked out my issues by Disabling WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) and switching my security to WPA2. Thanks!

Jun 4, 2014 7:41 AM in response to Éamonn Ó Catháin

As I mentioned - I have power cycled my denon then an update of firmware was available. I have not had the problem since. I'm on both 2.5ghz and 5ghz.

Just want to throw it out there again.

DCMiller

Level 1

2 points

Jun 7, 2014 6:39 PM in response to runalong1014

I also powered cycled (unplugged) my Denon receiver to clear up airplay cutting in and out.

May 30, 2015 5:25 PM in response to Derek92

this worked for me too, thankfully!! when I check the stats for spotify now "alt" click on window and hit stats.. I get only max .1% attempted recovery v. 1.5% or higher before... awesome!

Aug 14, 2015 8:19 PM in response to billypie

Thank you, you solved my problem big time.

May 5, 2016 12:00 PM in response to DaneSol

Do you have a VPN turned on? That has caused AirPlay drop-outs for me, but with VPN off I have no such troubles with any of my devices.

May 9, 2016 8:13 AM in response to DaneSol

HMmm. In my own experience, AirPlay has actually become rock-solid in recent years. Have to wonder if something else changed when you updated your iOS version. Do you have more than one router?

chefandy

Level 1

22 points

Aug 22, 2016 5:30 PM in response to Dale_Pensacola

Definitely seems to have helped me. Good call.

mtbjay

Level 1

4 points

Feb 27, 2017 9:43 AM in response to Verhamme

That's precisely why records and CDs are still the way to go

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Airplay audio cuts out intermittently