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Mike_B. Author

Level 1

5 points

Home Sharing, Airplay, and WiFi Sync Won't Connect

Network Setup:

Verizon Actiontec Router - latest firmware, all Airplay/Bonjour issues were reportedly fixed this version. I forwarded port 5353 just in case, but I'm not accessing the PC externally, so that shouldn't matter.
Windows 7 PC - firewall is inactive, though I opened up connections for Bonjour just in case. iTunes is updated. mDNSResponder.exe is running fine. PC is connected via ethernet cable, but that isn't supposed to cause any issues.
iTunes - Logged into Apple ID, authorized the PC, enabled Wifi Syncing, synced iPad multiple times via USB cable, reinstalled iTunes, and enabled library sharing. Running any Diagnostic Tests result in a crash, but that might be unrelated.
iPad Mini - updated, logged into Apple ID.

The Problem:

Home Sharing doesn't seem to be working at all. I've tried restarting the router, logging out and into my Apple ID on both the PC and iPad, and making sure all settings are set correctly. Nada. The library refuses to appear on my iPad under "More."
Airplay doesn't appear on the PC iTunes client or iPad Music app unless I enable my Android phone as an Airplay device. Then the Airplay icon appears on both devices, but will only list the same device and the Android phone.
WiFi Syncing doesn't even act like it cares about me. When accessing the menu on the iPad, the PC is listed as "not available."

Sorry for all the text. All I know is there is some connection issue between the iPad and PC. Thanks for any suggestions.

iPad 2

Posted on Jun 13, 2013 5:20 PM

17 replies

Mike_B. Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 18, 2013 8:43 AM in response to ceomrman

Thanks for posting this. I gave it a try yesterday and it worked, kind of. Home Sharing is working fine, but Wifi Sync has stopped working when I put my computer to sleep and woke it up this morning. I've tried shutting down all Apple processes and opening iTunes again, but nothing appears.

I've yet to recieve a concrete answer on whether iTunes allows Airplay directly to the iPad or the iPad directly to iTunes, but if it is possible, I'm not getting Airplay without a third-party application.

Home Sharing working.
Wifi Sync was working, no longer working.
Airplay not working, though it may not work like I expect it to.

thetib

Level 1

0 points

Jun 21, 2013 12:51 AM in response to Mike_B.

Likewise, I've had a number of problems getting wifi sync and airplay stable. It is currently my view that you can only have one functioning correctly. Haven't got to the bottom of why and apple knowledge base only directs you to very simple debug procedures.

Firstly, I'm running iTunes on windows 7 64 bit, I have 4 airport express, 1 Apple TV, a mix of iPads and iPhones.

If you have the same setup and experience the same problems check out you event viewer and you will see the bonjour service has kicked up a number of errors. To stop this happening you have to decide what is important to you. Wifi sync or airplay?? Rubbish I know I'm sure an apple guru has an explanation but I'm yet to find anything in the knowledge base.

So, wifi sync works fine if you disable all airplay devices (no magic here, just turn them all off). Close iTunes, restart bonjour and launch iTunes again, wifi sync will start working.

If you want airplay devices stable then disable wifi sync on all your apple devices, it's a bit of pain as you will probably need to attach via the USB (as your devices are probably not syncing properly anyway!). Once disabled close iTunes, restart bonjour, start iTunes and you will see your airplay icon appear.

The key is make sure the bonjour service is running with no errors.

Hope this helps, it works for me and avoids painful reboots, iTunes installs. When I discover why this is happening I will let you all know but hopefully apple will do this before me.

Home Sharing, Airplay, and WiFi Sync Won't Connect