Air Play Code

Hello druefromsugarhill,

After reviewing your post, it sounds like you need some information about the onscreen code. I would recommend that you read this article, it may be able to help the issue.

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Understanding AirPlay settings - Apple Support

Set an onscreen code

Go to Settings > AirPlay > Security > Onscreen Code > On.

Use this setting to require a specific code to AirPlay to your Apple TV. When Onscreen Code is on and an AirPlay-enabled devices tries to connect to your Apple TV, you must enter the passcode shown on the TV into the device.

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

Have a nice day,

Mario

You can turn this off in the ATV AirPlay settings. It's meant to prevent hackers (students) from co-opting the ATV and is not much use in a home environment. It might have been enabled after a software update. Also, power cycling ATV is a good first step when strage stuff happens.

This started on my Macbook/Gen 4 Apple TV this evening. After reviewing all the non answers I simply rebooted the Apple TV then the Macbook. Problem went way.