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Level 1

11 points

itunes is currently unavailable

My Apple TV 3 has been playing up for a few days, possibly since the latest update - not sure.

Basically, i can no longer play any purchased TV/movies or iTunes Match music via the Apple TV (still fine via my other Apple devices - Mac, iPad 2, iPhone 4S) and the following message appears, accompanied with a black screen and yellow triangle "iTunes is currently unavailable. Try again later."

I've searched the forms boards and found a bunch of possible solutions that haven't worked: reset and/or restart Apple TV, Sign out and back in to iTunes on both the Apple TV and my Mac, switched Dolby Digital from Auto, On and Off - nothing has worked.

Could this be an Apple server authentication issue? On purchased movies and TV, it's at the authentication stage that things seem to stop.

Any help/advice would be hugely appreciated. Right now, iTunes Match and Apple TV aren't doing the job I paid for.

Posted on Nov 21, 2014 3:33 AM

Best reply

Winston Churchill

Level 10

122,505 points

Posted on Nov 21, 2014 7:09 AM

Try the following steps, check whether things are working after each step where appropriate, before trying the next.

Restart the Apple TV (Settings > General > Restart).
Restart the Apple TV by removing ALL the cables for 30 seconds.
Restart your router. (Also try removing it’s power cord for at least 30 seconds)
Reset the Apple TV (Settings > General > Reset > Reset all settings)
Restore the Apple TV (Settings > General > Reset > Restore)

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263 replies

mcameau

Level 1

0 points

Nov 23, 2014 9:51 AM in response to halpey1

Just reached someone at Apple. Said it was a known issue and they are working on it.

idlem1nd

Level 1

4 points

Nov 23, 2014 9:58 AM in response to Moakle

Same problem here in London, UK. Trying to watch any purchased content bombs out at the authorising stage with the iTunes Store unavailable message. I've tried logging out/in, restarting all my devices and even done a factory restore. Still doesn't work!

Very frustrating.

Wintherz

Level 1

5 points

Nov 23, 2014 11:13 AM in response to mcameau

this sounds promising at least..

Nov 23, 2014 11:45 AM in response to Moakle

I am having the same iTunes unavailable. Try again later message.

What does work is Netflix and Hulu just not already bought iTunes movies.

I have reset and entered all my account info without success. This is happening the three Apple TV boxes I have in Birmingham, AL.

Nov 23, 2014 1:24 PM in response to Moakle

Just called apple, they are currently fixing this problem, majority of Apple TV is down, including mine 😟

Moakle Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 23, 2014 1:40 PM in response to Moakle

So, it seems that the problem does indeed lie with Apple, then.

Not entirely surprised. I, like many others, had an issue with Netflix refusing to play via the Apple TV earlier this year that was only fixed by an Apple TV update. Looks like we'd all be best holding fire on any network restores/resets for the time being. Fingers crossed we won't have to wait too long for a fix (it took 2 months for Apple to fix the Netflix problem, having denied it was anything to do with them for weeks!)

Nov 23, 2014 3:23 PM in response to Moakle

Same problem in Az. Sounds like its everywhere. They need to fix this fast or will be losing a lot of customers.

Nov 23, 2014 5:36 PM in response to Moakle

Same issues here as well. 2 ATVs get to the point of authorizing and then "iTunes is currently unavailable. Try again later." -- located in California

Nov 23, 2014 7:53 PM in response to Winston Churchill

I tried Winston Chruchills fix of a HARD reboot of my entire system:

1. Shut down EVERYTHING (AppleTV, iMac, router).

2. Unplugged EVERYTHING from the AppleTV (power, ethernet, HDMI)

3. Unplugged router

4. Grabbed a cup of coffee for 2 minutes

5. Powered on the router

6. Plugged everything back into AppleTV

7. Turned on iMac

8. Opened iTunes on iMac

This sequence fixed it for the short term, but it seems I'm having to do this every time I want to navigate my iTunes library on the AppleTV. Very frustrating. I'm having flashbacks to owning a PC running Windows; so far the iOS 8 update has killed my iPad, my iPhone and my AppleTV. Windows ME anyone?

kyla4u

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2014 5:23 AM in response to Moakle

Currently in the UK trying to use my US account - getting same issue on my ATV - "Itunes is currently unavailable". I have no problems accessing content on my Ipad or MacBook. Tried using Airplay from Ipad to ATV but did not work - "Itunes is currently unavailable". My husband's UK Itunes account works just fine on ATV. Frustrating!!!!

Hope they fix this soon!

Rahoo

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2014 5:44 AM in response to Moakle

Same problem. Apple has known about this for some time but they have not made any comments on what they intend to do about it. Very disappointing.

Moakle Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 24, 2014 1:46 PM in response to Rahoo

As I wrote earlier, it took Apple two months to solve a problem with Apple TV playing Netflix content earlier this year so we may have to sit tight on this one for a while.

sodrock

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2014 1:52 PM in response to Moakle

Well we have to remember, in fairness, Apple TV is just a "hobby" for Apple

Nov 24, 2014 2:09 PM in response to Moakle

Having exact same problem. Been on the phone with Apple twice...they say it's their issue...but it's been going on for 3 days now. Annoying.

lynnally

Level 1

9 points

Nov 24, 2014 4:04 PM in response to sodrock

The lost revenue stream and customers do concern Apple or they wouldn't have gotten in this business.

And the fact that we can't watch Itunes content on our Apple TV means that we all are going to move off of Apple TV and find alternatives. Hulu and Amazon are competitors that are worth checking out. Amazon's support is a hundred times better than Apple, too. In fact, my experience has been that any service provider/vendor has better support than Apple. Apple is in danger of losing a strong devoted customer base. They practically cornered the market and for the past 5 years have ****** it away with poor technology releases and terrible support. They aren't listening to their customers any more and this will bring them down.

itunes is currently unavailable