apple tv stuck on date and time

An Apple support call didn't help much. Basically, just because your iMac works great on the cable modem doesn't mean the Apple TV will (it's a streaming device with attitude, basically.)

SO, I went to my modem website (I recommend you bookmark it), did a factory reset, then did a performance check. Download power should be +8 to -8, Upload power 37 to 55, and signal/noise ratio over 30 (higher better.)

Then I restored the Apple TV... and off she went.

I have had the cables unplugged so many times, and rebooted everything so many times, that I really don't know what made them happy again.

Guess: the router restore looks like the big help here. Try that. Thanks and good luck!

We encountered this problem too. Our Apple TV was working fine, then one day only two icons appeared: computer and settings. Our solution was to set the IP address manually. This forced a new connection to the router. Even if you don't know what IP address to use, give it a guess. You can switch back to AUTOMATIC configuration later and that will also give you a new valid IP address.

Go to settings menu item General > Network > Ethernet (or Wireless) > Configure IP > Manual. You will need to know an available IP address on your local network (try changing the last number to 30 or higher). When asked, don't change the router IP address. If this doesn't solve the problem (and even if it does) you can switch back to automatic configuration (aka DHCP) and you should get a new IP address yet again. Unfortunately, we can't explain why the Apple TV was suddenly unable to set the time using the old IP address.

Thank you for the IP address change idea! After resetting AppleTV, updating software, resetting router and getting generally frustrated, your solution worked!!!

Had similar issues with my ATV2 not being able to set the date and time. I tried resetting, restoring, restarting and all would seem to get stuck at the setting date and time. I finally uplugged it and plugged it straight into my MacBook Pro with the micro usb cable (didn't even need the power cord). Through iTunes I clicked on Restore. iTunes took over and did a complete restore including a firmware update. Then when it finished it said to plug it back into the TV. When I did it asked me to set the language, set the wifi network and password (the usual startup stuff) and voilà! It works again.

Hope this helps.

Nice advice. It fixed my problem.

Thanks

I was able to get my Apple TV working again by downgrading the firmware following the instructions in this message:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4387125?answerId=20008613022#20008613022

In case that message disappears, here's my translation:

1. Connect your Apple TV to your computer via USB. Don't plug in the power cable.

2. Download the older 5.0.2 firmware from Apple here:

5.0.2 (Apple TV 2): AppleTV2,1_5.0.2_9B830_Restore.ipsw

5.0.2 (Apple TV 3): AppleTV3,1_5.0.2_9B830_Restore.ipsw

3. Open iTunes and select the Apple TV. Hold down the option key and press the restore button at the same time.

4. In the dialog that opens select the firmware that you downloaded.

5. The restore process will take a few minutes. Once it's done plug your Apple TV back into your TV. If the date and time message persists just press the menu button to skip it. This got mine working again.

Good luck !!!!

Go to settings menu item General > Network > Ethernet (or Wireless) > Configure IP > Manual. You will need to know an available IP address on your local network (try changing the last number to 30 or higher). When asked, don't change the router IP address. If this doesn't solve the problem (and even if it does) you can switch back to automatic configuration (aka DHCP) and you should get a new IP address yet again. Unfortunately, we can't explain why the Apple TV was suddenly unable to set the time using the old IP address.

castlehavenTHIS WORKED!!! Thank you so much!

Hi everyone. I tried everything to solve this problem, nothing worked. Then I setup my Iphone to act as a personal hotspot, and ATV was able to connect to this. After the connection was made, I logged in to ATV and setup all the passwords. Then I disconnected the IPhone and reconnected the ATV to the house wifi, and it works. Only thing is, don't disconnect the ATV again, or the problem re-occurs. However, once again, using the IPhone as a personal hotspot resolved the issue. Hope this helps

i am incountering the same probleme and i was just wondering where you got your cable? the micro usb one!
i thought it was the same one as the ipad but it isnt.
any links on the apple store would help! thankyou!

Hi Tom, for cable micro usb data cable you can use smart phones such as Blackberry had, nokia which use micro usb to charge its battery. many on sale at the store asessoris mobile phone.

I connect the ATV with micro usb cable to itunes but nothing happened, what went wrong?

Once you plug in your Apple TV open iTunes. iTunes should recognize that the ATV is connected. Once iTunes shows the ATV icon select it and click Restore.

Steps to resolve ATV problem with Date and Time issue, which is related to Wifi connection not recognized.

1). Setup a personal hotspot on your IPhone.

2). In ATV, change the network Wifi connection to the phone instead of the other wifi you are using, make sure the phone is close to the ATV

3). Unplug the ATV and then plug it in again, now that it is connected to the IPhone Hotspot, it will be able to get through the date and time issue.

4). Make sure you are signed into ITunes

5). Now change the wifi connection back to the other wifi.

This solved all my problems. However, every time the power shuts off, the same things happens again. I have to reconnect under the hotspot to resolve it. A pain, but it works and doesn't take too long.

Cheers

Steve

Sent from my iPhone

Hey Steve, tried this and after weeks of frustration its works! BUT only on the IPhone hotspot.

When I unplug then plug and re-connect to WiFi, all the icons are now there but I cannot access ITunes store, or connect to my homeshare. I just get "unable to access ITunes Store or incorrect password etc etc."

Why does it work on IPhone but not the home wifi network?

Hmm, I didn't have that problem.

Before you unplug the ATV, go to the Itunes store section and sign out, same with the home share (while using the Hotspot). Then sign in to both again, using Hotspot. I was able to do this.

After you unlug and re-plug in the ATV, go directly to the network and change it back over to the wifi. I hope this works.