Apple TV Death after update?

Seen quite a few people with this problem. After the update the light just blinks. After unplugging ethernet, it can't find router. Some people reset the router and said that worked. Others restored by plugging into iTunes and got it working. I did all of the above multiple times, still death. Going to have to take it into the Apple Store tomorrow I guess. Unless another update comes that fixes this.


Also the weird part, I know it's under warranty since it isn't even a year old, but I went to check the serial number and Apple said the serial number wasn't found.

Posted on Sep 25, 2012 12:29 AM

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367 replies

Oct 24, 2012 9:36 AM in response to RandomVillain

My only issue with version 5.1 was the inability to stream iTunes from my PC.


The first time I downgraded to the 5.0.2 version, Apple TV3 still could not see my PC. I then said "Why not" and upgraded to version 5.1. It still didn't work.


The second time I downgraded to the 5.0.2 version, Apple TV3 still could not see my PC. Grrrrrrr, but then I got it to work.


Here's my setup and what I did to get it working.

Verizion internet cable from the wall to a Verizon wireless router. The wireless is turned off because I have a Netgear wireless router plugged into the Verizon wireless router. I had the AppleTV plugged directly to Verizon router. This set up worked 100%, until recently.


I unplugged the AppleTV from the Verizon router and plugged it into the Netgear router. Voila! Everything is back to working 100%. Thank you forum members for finding an interim solution.

Oct 24, 2012 9:02 PM in response to Thomas Crowley1

You then have to use the micro USB cable and then attach the ATV to your itunes application on the computer.


Here the apple tv comes up as does an iphone(very similar). It will ask you if you would like to upgrade the software. By default it will do the latest available software (u do nor want this). But because you have downloaded a specific version for your ATV2 press "option(alt)" button when pressing the upgrade button. You can than point to the correct software downloaded ealier.


Should work

Oct 26, 2012 7:57 PM in response to ChaunceyB

Had the same issue.


Brought the ATV to the Geniuses at the Apple Store (me no having no MicroUSB). The restore failed and they told me to buy a new ATV. Even after I explained that young genius girl that usually a software update doesn't fry hardware at least from my 25 years of experience with computers. But she insisted, after all the was the genius.

Didn't by a new ATV and went home, made one google search and found this thread. Obviously that was too complicated for the genius girl.

Downloaded the older software from the link on this thread put it on a USB stick and brought it back to the store.

They restored the software and while we were waiting another genius couldn't explain his theory why firmware is hardware and that was the part that was broken on my device.


Long stoy short, the restore whent through, i just hooked it backup at home and it is working.


Edgar Rothermich

Oct 27, 2012 7:30 AM in response to dcaranci

Just wanted to update everyone. Apparently there is a compatibility issue with the 5.1 firmware and certain routers. This is my conclusion after 2brand new apple tv's, latest models.


If you read my previous post you'll know that I could get it to work via wireless but no luck with ethernet cable connected. In my case one I switched my crappy Rogers supplied cable modem/router/wireless access point over to bridge mode and connected my trusty D-Link dir-655 to do the routing and wireless, everything is now working perfectly with the 5.1 firmware in the Apple TV.


The SMC Rogers device has very few router settings that the end user can tinker with, but that seems to be the problem. Anyway, after switching to a decent router solved the problem for me anyway.


I think this is still a fault on Apple's part for not testing things properly, despite the crappy all-in-one modem. The fact does remain that 5.0.2 works just fine on that device but the new software doesn't.


For everyone else out there with this issue, give that a try... Even bypass your router all together (temporarily) and see if it works for you. May not bea feasible solution, but gives you an idea where the issue may be in your particular case.


Cheers.....

D

Oct 27, 2012 7:40 AM in response to dcaranci

Sorry, just to be clear, using the dlink router I can now connect my Apple TV running 5.1 by wireless or ethernet cable with no problems and everything including photostreaming is working.


To confirm my results, I switched back to using my crappy Rogers SMC as the router and again failures happened with the ethernet cable connected. Put it back to bridge mode and reconnected the dlink and back to perfect results.


I'm pretty capable with networking, however there are just not many router settings in the ISP provided device to play with to make it work. I suspect it has something to do with mulitcasting or something like that but I have no idea.


Good luck to all, and I hope my experience can help others, including Apple figure this out and get it working for others too.


Cheers...

D.

Oct 27, 2012 5:32 PM in response to dcaranci

Whilst that might be the fix in your case.....I don't ink it's as simple as that. When mine died after the update no amount of juggling with router settings made any difference. I got a replacement from apple store that THEY updated to 5.1 in the shop.......and when I got it home wireless was fine on exactly the same routers and settings that the failed unit had refused to work with.

The frustration with this whole thing is that there seems to be about 20 different related/embedded issues and what works for one situation doesn't work for another.......and like yourself I have 20+ years in networking so reckon I can troubleshoot SSIDs, encryption, DHCP etc etc

Oct 28, 2012 6:45 PM in response to RandomVillain

I have an apple tv 3.


After having the problem discussed here with the 5.1 update, I have been able to rollback to version 5.0.2 using iTunes following steps posted on this thread but my kids probably told apple tv to update again so now I'm back to 5.1 and it's wonderful flashing light of death. I can confirm the behavior already posted here, if I disconnect ethernet cable, than it comes back saying not connected to any network, if I try to connect WIFI, no wifi detected, if I reconnect ethernet, than flashing light again.


So it's clear, version 5.1 have a bug with the network interface on some device. It will go back to apple store this week (still under warranty).


Just so you know!

Oct 29, 2012 4:35 PM in response to RandomVillain

ATV3 - Upgraded to 5.1 and have had nothing but problems. Took my old unit in and explained what I did to troubleshoot and they replaced the unit. Brought it home, upgraded to 5.1 and had the same issues - so now that's two units that were upgrade to 5.1 that freaked out. Would not work on hard wired ethernet so went wireless and it freaked out a few hours later coming up with DHCP addresses that were not even close. Plugged it back in (hard-wired) and lost my ability again to Rent movies or shows.


Appreciate the post for the downgrade - 10m later I'm back up and running on all applications as prior to the upgrade.


Apple please pull the release from the site - it is not ready for General Availabilty and if people continue to upgrade their units - this will only flood support and the stores with issues that are related to the the upgrade.

Oct 29, 2012 9:36 PM in response to RandomVillain

After much posts and more than 1 month now, can the moderator share about the status of a new update, to solve this wide spread problem? I have owned iPad 2 and Apple TV, and so far this Apple TV issue is the only problem I have, but is it the start of more issues to come or this is just an isolated case? I begin to wonder if Steve is still alive, will this be happening?


As I said before, the previous version is okay with the streaming / networking module thus how architectural different it could be, can't a 'diff' be done to check why the previous one works and why not this one, and worst is why the latest update is still not pulled out if this issue affects many, does Apple wish to cause more inconveniece to consumers by having them bringing each and every updated Apple TV back to the store?? It really puzzles me..

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Apple TV Death after update?

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