Activation error

Welcome to the Apple Community.

Assuming this is not the first time you have used your Apple TV

1. You might try restarting the Apple TV by removing ALL the cables for 30 seconds.
2. Also try restarting the router. (Also try removing it’s power cord for at least 30 seconds)
3. If the problem persists, try a restore, you may want to try the previous procedures several times before doing this.
4. If restoring from the Apple TV doesn't help, try restoring from iTunes using a USB cable.

If this is a new Apple TV, in addition to trying the above, it may also be that your network router is not allowing access to the timeserver, check that your router allows access over port 123.

G'day mate,

I had this problem too, and it took me a while to sort it out.

So it turns out, here in Australia, only one Internet Service Provider (ISP) includes or uses the date / time function in their modems. This means, unless your ISP is Telstra, you will most certainly have the activation error you are speaking about.

To fix this problem, create a Personal Hotspot with your iPhone and connect your Apple TV to your iPhone. Activate the Apple TV, then you can go ahead and connect to your standard home WiFi.

Hope this helps.

Pete.