Apple TV 3rd Gen Freezing/Buffering constantly

I think there is not a single cause of these problems, but more a complex combination of firmware/iTunes/network settings/router/Homesharing/etc... Like you I tried many things, some helped but only for a few days. I also noted that the firmware version can make a difference.

It sounds like you've done a good job troubleshooting the

system - now the devices themselves deserve scrutiny.

Are they possibly identical? Do they all choke at the same

time on the same content? Does it make a difference if

you only connect one at a time (in case there's a modem

throughput issue)? As many can attest, the device has

proven to be stable - at least earlier generations. Most

issues can be eliminated by resetting or possibly the

more drastic restoration using the micro D connector

(or at the Genius Bar). As with any systems problem

remove as many elements as possible to isolate the

issue - thus you might want to focus on a single unit

up to and including swapping in a proven one from

the  Store (you can always return it) or a friend.

Good luck, Tom

I have never tried to run all three devices at the same time. However it is happening on all three devices. I agree that the device has been stable in the past but this has been happening since October 15. I have tried to restart the device and that works about 50% of the time. I then usually reset the device but I hate doing that as I have to enter all the user name and password, network stuff etc.

I have an IT background but to be honest I have not keep up on all the latest the last 6 years. I have been doing business consulting of late and that is where I spend all my time.

I purchased the Apple devices because I wanted a trouble free experience and need something that is easy for a non-techy spouse to use.

I have not changed anything on the network other than the router to try to fix the issue. I would hard wire them in if I was able to, to try to eliminate the wireless as the problem. I may hard wire the one in the living room and try that one to see if that helps.

Deep down I can't help but think that Apple did this so that people would migrate to the new Apple TV.

As an aside, I always cable from Mac to router when streaming, (the

Debates) otherwise there are dropouts and it's not due to the tv

involved. I think when you see buffering it's when the normal

buffering always happening in the background leading to smooth

delivery - exceeds the capacity of the buffer. i.e. there's no such

thing as an error-free stream. I'd recommend, strictly as a

diagnostic, connecting tv directly to the modem and testing

performance. I know that games are finicky about using Time

Capsule as a router and if they do, only specific firmware.

Frankly, I am about to purchase a Chrome devise instead of using the Apple TV. They seem to have figured out how to handle the buffering issues. This *****.

I Signed out of iCloud after trying everything else. I think iCloud with all the photos I saved through the years is what may have caused them problem. In any case, that seems to have solved the problem. ATV3 is not a well resources device in opinion

Possible fix using Airport Time Capsule; I had the freezing issue watching The Big Short over the weekend which was downloaded directly to my ATV3 which was connected by ethernet to my modem router. I tried a bunch of fixes from this and other similar threads (let's face it Apple, there are many!). My ADSL2 line speed is around 13-14Mbps. Finally I tried plugging the ethernet from the ATV3 directly into one of the ports on the Airport Express Time Machine. This finally worked and so I was able to watch the film right through without any freezing or stuttering. As a side-note I trawled the internet for information on whether I 'should' configure it this way when setting up the Capsule some months earlier. However found nothing. Perhaps the ATV was trying to use the home wifi signal from the Capsule instead of the ethernet connection to the modem. I hope this helps some of you and I hope it keeps working!

Direct connect is faster than WiFi but in this case it appears you weren't encountering

a speed issue but failure of WiFi. Since Airport comes after your modem it sounds like

either the problem was transient with the modem or more likely a failure of WiFi - so

your direct connect solution was sound. Unless cabling to TC is unappealing for some

reason you might well stay connected to tv with Ethernet. Good job, sharing.

My Apple TV has become a podcast watching nightmare.

I can watch one video podcast (such as an episode of a show from twit.tv). When I then watch as second episodes, the Apple TV clearly doesn't pre-fetch and download the content ahead anymore. (as you see on the playback bar)... and soon enough starts to hang up in various ways.. either pausing, or video playing but audio stopping, then coming back a minute later. Yes, I'm using Wifi to connect the AppleTV to the network, but that doesn't appear to be a problem; HBO Go streams just fine.

I can solve this every time by rebooting the Apple TV with the remote (pulling the power plug is just too difficult given where I've stashed it). I can then again play ONE video podcast (where it will spool/fetch content will in advance for playback).. then next such podcast and we are back to no fetching in quantity and hangups..

Very frustrating. The only thing being reset is the Apple TV. So ifs entirely a problem within the Apple TV software (podcast streaming or the underlying OS features). If I could hack the device to automatically reboot after any playback ends I'd do that. Something in the Podcast application, at the completion of playing back a video podcast, isnt internally resetting or releasing resources the way it should.

Without delving into a diagnostic here let me offer a rebooting

solution in the form of a remote IP-enabled AC switch you can

operate from your phone - saving the wrenching while writhing,

an Orbivo Smart Socket Outlet. Good luck with your tv.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KT50HK4/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473895181&sr=sr-1& keywords=wiwo+s20

YYeah I already have a zigbee power adapter set aside to power this so I can not only reboot it from my phone but also just have it reboot at 2am. Sad.

I am having the same issue and it's only with Netflix. AirPlay and all other streaming apps whether OTT or Live work fine. This has to be something on their end as all my other apps work fine. Disney, Disney Junior, WWE, etc.

Extremely frustrating.

This worked for me. Thanks.

Nothing for Apple to fix, it's your network.