"apple tv can't connect to the server at this time. please try later."

Hello,

I had this problem and we try to use the sign in with the code thingy. I didn't work for us. The problem fix was to turn off the two step authentication from Apple.

My wife signed in and turned it off. Then we went back into the Apple TV by holding down the arrow key and menu buttons in the remote for few seconds. Then we just signed in with apple id and password. Presto! It worked.

I hope this help.

Nando

THIS WORKS!

"This worked for me without having to reset my Apple TV universe: Press Menu and Down Arrow keys simultaneously for 6 seconds until the light flashes rapidly."

Thank you!

I had the same problem and could not log into my iTunes account on Apple TV. Each time I tried it said my password was invalid, even after including the six digit authentication code sent to my iPhone.

After talking to an Apple technician, we disabled two factor authentication in my iCloud account. After that my regular password worked and I was able to sign in to my iTunes account on Apple TV.

Unfortunately, this means I don't have two factor authentication anymore, But I wonder if I now went back into my iCloud account and reinstated it, if it would be a problem for the future.

3 Years after this post and this worked great! I've had my ATV for years and this is the first time this has happened, I don't know if I'm just lucky after reading so many complaints, but I'm happy with my ATV, especially since I can access is again

Yeah logging out then logging in did not work for me. Any additional help would be appreciated

I'm having the same problem. I can access Netflix, WSJ Live, photos, etc., but not the iTunes store. Logging out and back in did not work for me. C'mon Apple, make it right!

I have tried everything and it is driving me bonkers. *** you stupid thing!!! It's been going on for dayyyyssss. Next step....hurl the EFFING thing against a wall!

It shouldn't be this hard! Have been frustrated by this problem for two weeks now.

Have logged out as suggested above, and now can't log in - Apple TV can't connect to the server at this time, try again later. Very helpful, Mr Jobs. If Apple paid me $1 for every minute I've watched that annoying spinning wheel, I reckon I could retire.

Tried system Restore - Update not successful - the Apple TV update couldn't be downloaded at this time. Try again later. Yippeeeee.

Think I might have cracked it with System Reset. That was easy .....

Lets be frank: this is an internal server communication issue at Apple that they don't want to fix or acknowledge. This "unable to sign in" or unable to communicate issues are all about purchase validation ONLY. That is where it hangs up. For example, I can see favorites but it won't access my list of purchased items. And yet - the only advice they have is reboot?

The same issue happens when trying to watch Netflix on ATV. It can't connect to the Netflix server but gosh golly gee, I switch to my Roku box and no problem. Unfortunately for Apple, while I'm over there I'm starting to to buy movies and shows from Amazon

Apple doesn't make it's money from the $99 Apple TV sale - it's the iTunes purchases. If we want them to listen we need to interrupt that revenue stream.

What you are saying is incorrect. It's not an Apple server issue. If it was, restarting or resetting the box would have no effect.

Actually, Mark, I am correct. I didn't reset my box and the next day it was magically "fixed". This is a server issue. Resetting, turning off and on, logging in or out are all cosmetic fixes. The real problem is a server issue. Notice how it usually happens at the "authorising" stage? The part of ITunes that confirms ownership credentials is faulty, overloaded, under resourced --whatever. I had another symptom last night. Bought a season pass, but the system didn't recognise that I had done so. Two hours later "poof" all was well

Only happens on ATV. All other routes (IPad, PC, IMac, IPhone) work fine. It's the server dedicated to the ATV that is the problem. I've been living with this issue for too long.

yep, system reset worked for me too. thanks!