Apple TV 3 not seeing any computers on the homeshare but is connected to wifi

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Apple TV 3 not seeing any computers on the homeshare but is connected to wifi

I've had this problem for a few weeks now.

I got an Apple TV 3 from my Dad and put it in my new house. Connected it to my Wifi no problems but the problem is that it won't connect to my homeshare - it can't see any of the computers in my house.

It's connected wirelessly, it works with Airplay, I've done all of the diagnostic tests. My homeshare is definitely on, my firewalls are off, the router ports are open, the router has been reset several times, iTunes is left open, the homeshare is set up correctly in terms of usernames etc. I'm just out of ideas on why it won't connect to the homeshare.

I even took it to an apple store - they connected it to their own homeshare no problems so the ATV itself is working properly.

Someone help!

Posted on Nov 26, 2012 3:15 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 18, 2017 7:39 AM in response to LBSZ

I have this same problem. I can see movies, HBO GO, Hulu etc. but no computers. Ethernet does not work. I tried two WIFI networks. I miss apple products being simple and easy. It's so stupid that my Apple TV 3 can't see my new Apple Macbook Pro or my Mac Mini. Also itunes is up to date.

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Answer 2

tzbikowski

Level 4

1,952 points

Nov 26, 2012 3:32 AM in response to LBSZ

Hi,

It looks like you have a network problem there.

1. Are ethe computers and Apple TV on the same WiFi network?

If so you do not have to open any ports on the router or play with the firewall.

2. Have you tried to connect Apple TV to your router via ethernet cable and see if this works?

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Answer 3

LBSZ Author

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Nov 26, 2012 3:47 AM in response to tzbikowski

I don't have an ethernet cable long enough - my ATV is in a room at the other end of the house so using a cable isn't a viable option unfortunately 😟

Any other ideas?

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Answer 4

tzbikowski

Level 4

1,952 points

Nov 26, 2012 4:01 AM in response to LBSZ

I think I misread your troubleshooting so far.
If you can use airplay and play music, movies from your computer on the TV this is all fine.

Are iTunes on your mac mini up to date? (10.7 version)

is Software of your Apple TV up to date?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4448

Have you followed this one?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4352

Including troubleshooting links below?

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Answer 5

LBSZ Author

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Nov 26, 2012 4:14 AM in response to tzbikowski

Sorry I might have miscommunicated that - I can't stream music or movies or photos from my computer on the tv. I can use airplay to stream from my wireless devices (iphone) but nothing from the computers.

I have also been through all of the guides,setup help and troubleshooters. Everything is update, software and itunes too

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Answer 6

tzbikowski

Level 4

1,952 points

Nov 26, 2012 4:18 AM in response to LBSZ

are the comuters hard wired to the router then?
If so, did you try to unplug the ethernet cable and see if this works over WiFi as it does with iPhone?

Obviously it is better (faster) if it is wired.

Please note that if your computer is both on Eth cable and WIFi at the same time - the wired network take priority.

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Answer 7

LBSZ Author

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Nov 26, 2012 4:21 AM in response to tzbikowski

I'm sorry I don't understand - what should I disconnect from the ethernet? My computer is directly connected to the router but it doesn't connect wirelessly

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Answer 8

tzbikowski

Level 4

1,952 points

Nov 26, 2012 4:25 AM in response to LBSZ

Hi LBSZ,

I expect the problem to be between your WiFi and wired network.

Most likely your router (whatever make it is) blockes certain services beween your LAN (cabled network) and WAN - wireless network.

Your troubleshooting should take place on the router.

What I was trying to tell is to connect your mac mini to your wireless and unplug the network cable - which will hopefully work and prove my point regarding the router blocking the traffic.

What make/type of router is it?

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Answer 9

LBSZ Author

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Nov 26, 2012 4:32 AM in response to tzbikowski

It's a netgear router DPQ3925. Nothing special

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Answer 10

t_ravis

Level 1

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Nov 27, 2012 8:34 PM in response to LBSZ

I think I might have the same problem. I picked up an Apple TV from my local Best Buy alomost a week ago, I have home sharing on and everything, but when i go to the "computers" section on my Apple TV my computer does not show up. It just says that computers with home sharing on will appear there, but mine does not.

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Answer 11

mg6035

Level 1

25 points

Nov 28, 2012 8:10 PM in response to t_ravis

I'm having the same problem. And it's strange because one time it did show up but almost every other time it doesn't. Even though home sharing is turned on for both the PC and the Apple TV. And when I'm in Itunes and turn on home sharing I enter my password and say create home share, it shows up on the side panel as shared. But when I click "done" to leave that screen the home shared on the left disappears. If I just exit that screen without hitting the done button it stays. However, the computer doesn't show up under the computers on the Apple TV. I have to say, I've only had this for about 5 days but it is one of the buggiest, flakiest pieces of equipment I have ever had.

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Answer 12

tzbikowski

Level 4

1,952 points

Nov 29, 2012 5:21 AM in response to mg6035

Let's get the troubleshooting steps.

1. Make sure you have iTunes on your computer updated to latest 10.7 version. (applies to both - Mac and PC)

2. Make sure you have your Apple TV updated to latest software 5.1 (Apple TV 2nd and 3rd Generation)

3. Make sure that the computer (with iTunes running) is on the same LAN (Local Area Network) as the Apple TV.

4. Use the same Apple ID on both iTunes and Apple TV (Apple TV can work / switch between different Apple IDs but keep it simple for now)

If you still cannot see your computer from the Apple TV (Computers)

1. Reset your Apple TV

On your remote Hold down Menu and Down, until the Apple TV status light blinks rapidly

2. Make sure you have no antivirus or firewall on your computer that may be blocking access to your computer over LAN.

Let me know if you need detailed info on any of the steps above.

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Answer 13

LBSZ Author

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Nov 29, 2012 4:19 PM in response to tzbikowski

I'm sorry tzbikowski I'm not sure I made myself clear before - I HAVE DONE ALL OF THOSE STEP AND NONE OF THEM HELP.

I'm starting to get frustrated because the tech should work and everyone keeps telling me to do this Tier 1 crap. I've been trying to solve this problem for weeks and I've only just turned to the online community because I've exhausted all other options.

To wit:

1. ALL VERSIONS OF APPLE TV AND ITUNES ARE CURRENT

2. THEY ARE ALL ON THE SAME NETWORK
3. THE SAME APPLE ID IS BEING USED
4. BOTH ROUTER AND ATV HAVE BEEN RESET

5. ALL ANTIVIRUS AND FIREWALL PROGRAMS ARE TURNED OFF

Could the problem be in the fact that the ATV is wireless and the computers are wired?

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Answer 14

tzbikowski

Level 4

1,952 points

Nov 29, 2012 4:26 PM in response to LBSZ

Yes, the problem can be on the router between LAN and WiFi.
Some more advanced routers block certain protocols and broadcast between LAN and WiFi for security reasons.

Easiest way to check is to plug in the Apple TV. No need to disable WiFi on it as the Eth gets priority.

Please post back the results.

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Answer 15

Dec 3, 2012 2:15 PM in response to tzbikowski

Hi tzbikowski, I am wondering if you can help me. iTunes is no longer seeing our ATV. I am not sure exactly when it stopped because we don't use it that often, but I am guessing it was in last couple of months. My PC and ATV are both hardwired. (Not sure if this matters, but our entire house is networked, so I can plug Ethernet into any jack in any room and I am connected. We have 2 wireless routers, but neither ATV nor my PC is wireless.) I have done all the standard reboots/restarts, etc and made sure I have latest software updates/versions on everything. I have uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes, which didn't work. I can turn on the ATV and "see it" but it no longer has anything in it's library. For the life of me, I can't get iTunes on my PC to see it. Any ideas???

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