Apple TV cannot set the network time + date

I ended up going into the router and deleting the DNS setting for "apple-tv". Unplugged everything, re-booted the router, and got the same error message. HOWEVER, apple TV started to download an update. After the updae installed, it started right up.

I don't know if deleting the DNS setting and forcing the computer to reassing one or updating the software or a combination of both fixed it.

If it breaks again I'm getting a Roku.

I have the same problem. Updated my Apple TV- the latest one, and it is "setting time and date" for hours on wifi or Ethernet. Anyone have a solution?

I have been trying differnet things for a month to fix this issue and nothing. The problem is something to do with wifi and the upgrade. If your cable modem is close to your AppleTV you can plug an RJ-45 cable in between your modem and AppleTV and it works fine. Will even continue to work if you switch back to wifi until the AppleTV loses power, then the problem returns.

Have discovered that it seems to only be happening with some wifi routers and not others, but I have tried it with a CISCO and a LinkSys wifi router (two very popular brands) and it does not work. I can't think of anything else to try and hoping Apple fixes this problem and soon, but right now they don't even appear to realize they have a problem. Uggghhh!

I also had the same problem for around a day and a half. I thought it was something to do on their end, but after a day and a half, looked into solving myself.

Unplugged Power from AppleTV.

Connected Ethernet.

Put in plug and powered on AppleTV. No more error messeage and was able to get to main screen.

Disconnected the ethernet cord.

Tried to go to netflix. AppleTV errored out saying network not connected.

Unplugged power from AppleTV.

Replugged it back in. Everything worked fine after that. (back on Wifi)

Same thing here. Lost power last night... ATV connects to wifi and airplay works fine but time will not set. I guess this has to do with the DRM scheme for itunes. It's kinda dumb. I'll try doing the cabled/wireless thing tomorrow. This issue, no HBO go or showtime... I may be plunking down $79 on. Roku myself and see what the inside of this thing looks like with a swazall.

Hi Guys,

I had the same problem this morning and after doing some tweakings I finally managed to sole the problem. My apple TV was bought from overseas as well and today I was trying to connect it to my internet. I realized that with my first internet provider (cable) it won't setting up the date and time but with my mobile internet it was successfully configured. Then I tried to reconnect with my cable internet after finishing all the configuration with the mobile internet. Now, it runs flawlessly with my cable internet. Hope that helps!!

Hi Guys

I have just had the same problem on ATV3. After some attempts of restarting ATV and network without success, I logged on to my router, deleted the ATV from the DHCP connection list. After that I selected "Restart" from the onscreen menu, and bingo, it was back to normal.

Hi All!

For me a router hard reset solved the problem.

Had the same symptoms (the ATV3 could not set the time when used with WiFi)... In my case was more a network problem and after the router hard reset the ATV3 worked perfectly.

I also have been fighting the “date and time issue”, loss of menus, can’t log in until time is set and so on after my last update. On my ATV Ver. 3.

I ended up contacting my ISP and found that they are blocking all NTP requests except for two addresses (in house I believe). With my current router I am unable to direct NTP requests so I was in a frustration loop trying all the possible options I had found here in the community as well as the general web.

I was able to get around my problem by using my cell phone as a hotspot for a few minutes and presto! All my issues went away. Literally it took less than three minutes.

I then reconnected to my home network and all is as it was before the update.

Not everyone will have the hotspot option on their phone but maybe a friend will let you use a few moments and a little data to get back to normal.

Good Luck!

Hi Ken,

You're my hero mate. Switched the hotspot on my iphone to on; unplugged the Ethernet cable on the back of ATV, selected my iphone as the wireless connection under the general/network tab; ran through the rest of setup process; then reconnected the Ethernet cable and, and you say, BINGO [or was it Hey presto!]

Still tells me I can't connect to the itunes store for some reason, but that's Apple's loss not mine.

There are tons of people out there having this problem [ a google search of the problem shows thread upon thread, with all sorts of trial and fixes].

Yours works a dream - I hope more people find this thread!

The Apple software engineers appear to be doing bugger-all about it!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh what a surprise that is - their code will so full of garbage, they've probably decided that the best option is a - Oh really, we didn't know there was a problem.

Yours aye

The Commander

Glad to hear it worked for you! Nice to know we can work things out here together. Sometimes it's the simple ideas that work around the "engineering issues" that we run into in the real world.

Hope the rest of it comes back to life as well. My ATV is still going strong after this 'fix'.

Bought a new 3rd gen Apple TV today, had the same problem. Tried the suggestions here and elsewhere and got it running by connecting through the hotspot on my phone. So it seems to work fine for me now but I still think it's ******** that you have to jump through hoops like this. What about people who don't know how to google for answers? Or people who don't have the option or don't know how to bypass a router that won't cooperate? Or people who expect Apple products to "just work"? This one definitely doesn't just work. Oh well.

Thanks so much! Worked for me immediately after hours of resetting, restarting using Ethernet cable, restarting modem/router etc etc. Thanks - mobile phone hotspot is the way to go!

Hopefully this idea/tip will help someone/anyone having trouble activating a new Apple TV (3) -- meaning either it won't activate, or gets stuck trying to set Date & Time or the Time Zone, or logging into your iTunes account won't work, or perhaps you have only 2 icons: home sharing and settings.

Here's what I have been able to deduce - apple requires at least UDP123 for nt. (network time traffic) open to your apple tv for activation, and possibly even more direct internet network exposure for activation. Rather than tinkering with your network or firewall, perhaps try this, as it was the first thing that worked for me. 🙂

1. Set up a personal hotspot on your iPhone or other capable phone - don't worry you won't use much data at all.

2. Power cycle your Apple TV (restart or pull & replace plug).

3. Connect to this temporary tethered wifi network. Go to settings any way you can (menu button several times, etc. to back out of activation attempts) > then General > then Time Zone > Switch automatic ON (it should be off and most likely set to Cupertino, home of good ol' Apple) Give it a sec, and hopefully, your location will be found.

4. Menu button back a few times and marvel at your working Apple TV.

5. Now hurry up and turn off tethering and join your activated apple tv back to your normal wifi or wired network.

This worked for me for TWO brand new Apple TVs I just got, and I'm behind a very strictly configured Cisco ASA firewall that will not allow the traffic Apple wants to activate these devices. The iPhone tethering workaround is the only thing that has worked for me and it did so in under a minute.

Best of luck everyone. I hope this helps anyone with this issue!

Bill

After much angst, many useless attempts at tweaking DNS settings and port settings in firewall and in TimeCapsule router, playing with ethernet cables, etc. Ken's solution worked for me:

1. Disconnected ATV from wireless network;

2. Connected ATV to my iPhone hotspot;

2. Activated ATV as directed onscreen - no problem downloading time and location info automatically

3. Once ATV running properly, disconnected ATV from iPhone hotspot

4. Re-connected ATV to my wireless network

ATV and Airplay works flawlessly.

Thanks Ken.