Apple TV 2G "An error occurred loading this content. Try again Later"

Rebooting fixed the iTunes streaming problem for me.

I just got this error message again "Netflix is unavailable at this time try again later." This time I rebooted the ATV and it didn't fix it. As usual I can steam the stuff just fine with my Blu-Ray player streaming mode, so obviously it's not to do with iTunes or Netflix. The error message I get says "Contact Netflix for this problem" (I'm paraphrasing) which is totaly bogus because it isn't a Netflix problem. In my experience rebooting works sometimes but not others. In any case why should we have to be rebooting all the time?

In case Apple is monitoring this I wanted to say this error also now occurs if I pause something and leave it paused long enough that the screen saver comes on.

The error message (or whatever was generaing it) prevented me from playing back a Quicktime file tonight. Clearly it wasn't a streaming problem, the timeline (Apple Remote menu+downclick) showed at least 10 minutes of buffered program in memory. Software is 4.4.3.

For what it's worth, Ray Sharpe's solution set it right.

(Note: when the Apple TV first rebooted, there was no sound. After fiddling with the Sound Settings of both the Apple TV and my HD TV, I noticed I was hearing a "pop" when moving from item to item on the Apple Menu, and, sure enough, sound had somehow been restored.)

This is not the first time I've had HDMI troubles, I have an older CRT HD TV and the HDMI port will not play copy protected material via HDMI whether from a Blue Ray, DVD or Apple TV. This is the first time, however, that I've seen the "An error occurred..." message.

I'm guessing the error message can be caused by any one of several factors–a handshake problem with the HDMI cable being one of them, slow wi-fi streaming perhaps another.

Good luck.

Your issue with your CRT was probably due to a HDCP issue.

This happened to me as well when I paused and the screen saver came on while watching a movie I rented from iTunes.

The problem is occuring a lot to me as well. But there is a very simple fix!

Go to your ATV2 setting section. Go to General and then Network.

Go to Configure TCP/IP and select "Manually"

Leave IP Address as it is - scroll over and select "Done". Same with Subnet Mask and Router Address - those should be fine.

Next section is DNS Address: Change this (with the up and down arrow keys) to: 008.008.008.008 the press done, and then done again. You can test your settings, but you won't need to - just go and try netflix or itunes, or anything that was not working. This should cure the issue.

For those that want to know. The issue not an HDMI handshake, that would be fixed by turning on or off the TV and Apple TV device (or unplugging it).

The issue is a DNS problem, the 008.008.008.008 is Googles openDNS servers. Their are certain cable companies that their DNS is killing streaming (they don't know, nor understand how to fix it) - AKA if you are with Time Warner, this would be a problem for you in certain parts of the US (like the state I am in).

So by routing the services through another provider via your ATV2 you can by pass the DNS error causing the netflix issue (or more correctly the streaming issue). TimeWarner is tweaking some routers, so what worked yesterday with your old setting, may just stop or start working again. This solution should fix it and not depend on what your broadband provider is doing.

Hope that helps...

After reading everyone's responses, I tried the reset - holding menu and down on the remote.

I'm shocked, but it worked like a charm. I tested Netflix, iTunes, and even rented a movie.

Thanks everyone!

Apple TV 4.4.4 fixes video playback error

Theresa's reset worked for me as well.

Update has not fixed the AirPlay streaming problem. I'm still getting the "An error occured loading this content" message. Think it's time for an Apple Store trip.

I found the problem reappeared yesterday after about a week of reliable operation. I paused a program i was watching and as soon as i pressed play to continue the show the error reappeared. When i started another program it worked ok until i paused it and then it too gave me the same error message.

After performing the update 4.4.4 - all is well - everything is working perfectly and itunes match has also appeared as a menu selection on apple tv.

No luck for me 😟

I have been unable to play HD rental movies from the itunes store since I bought the ATV2 about a month ago. I can play HD videos from utube and vimeo OK though. I can also rent and play SD movies OK though.

I have a 9Mb internet connection connection.

I have scoured the net and tried every trick out there but no success.

I have a case at apple, and it looks like they're going to replace the unit...

I got excited when I read the latest 4.4.4 update fixes errors on playback, but was quickly disappointed. Oh well 🙂

cheers!

You and anyone else who says the update failed to fix the problem should try resetting the Apple TV by unplugging it for 15 seconds before returning it or taking it to the Apple Store. My feeling is that the update plus a reset should fix the problem.

Thanks for the suggestion but I've already tried that. I rented and watched a movie last night perfectly fine in standard def by setting the itunes store setting to standard definition. It just has a problem with HD rentals.