PBS Kids Video activation issue

Question

Level 1

9 points

PBS Kids Video activation issue

I purchased and setup a new 4th gen Apple TV today. I was able to successfully download and install the PBS Kids Video app. Unfortunately when I try to active the service within the app nothing happens. I click on the "Activate your Apple TV" icon and nothing happens. It should produce a login code, but it does not. Also, If I click on any of the other icons in the app nothing happens. I have attempted to delete and reinstall the app and I have updated and restarted the Apple TV. Nothing has resolved the issue so far. Also, I have been able to successfully install and activate the regular non-kids PBS app without any issues. Any suggestions on activating this app? Is this happening to anyone else?

Apple TV 4-OTHER, Other OS, tvOS

Posted on Nov 27, 2015 1:18 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Dec 10, 2015 11:14 AM in response to courtma41

I am having the same issue with that app on the AppleTV Gen 2, 3, and 4. When I connect the AppleTV to a hotspot the app works. I've restarted everything and updated the router firmware. I've also tried 3 different DNS Servers. The same app on the Amazon FireTV works fine on my network. is your ISP Charter?

Reply

Answer 2

courtma41 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 10, 2015 11:37 AM in response to McSlimthis

My ISP is Time Warner.

Since my original post I have updated tvOS to 9.1 without any change. Also, I have now discovered that the PBS Kids app does not work on my AppleTV Gen 3 either. So we're in the same boat. I haven't tried using a hotspot yet, but I'll give it a shot.

Reply

Answer 3

Dec 10, 2015 12:29 PM in response to courtma41

I got it to work by wiring the AppleTV directly to the modem and activating the app. I then connected the AppleTV back into the router and router to the modem. This worked for both Gen 2 and 3. I haven't tried the Gen 4 since it's connected via wifi instead of ethernet. You may have some luck if you activate it on a hotspot then connect it back to your router. Not sure how long this fix will last either. Hopefully permanently. My router is an ASUS RT-AC68U with now the latest firmware. I don't have any QOS running/port forwarding/etc. Its a pretty stock router configuration. tvOS 9.1 didn't help my Gen 4 either.

The only other thing i can think of is I've had to change my PBS password a few times when logging on various iPhones, iPads, and AppleTVs. I've got it committed to memory now so hopefully the fix will hold. I use the same PBS account for PBS and PBS Kids. Since the PBS app is on the same account, same AppleTVs with the same IP addresses I can only conclude that the app has issues when the account password is changed. I have no proof of that though. Good luck and hope a hotspot or direct modem connect activation works for you.

Reply

Answer 4

courtma41 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 10, 2015 1:03 PM in response to McSlimthis

I took your advice and hooked my Gen 4 directly to my modem. It worked! It let me register, login and watch videos. Unfortunately when I reconnected the AppleTV to my home network, through my Asus RT-AC68U (McSlimthis, good choice of router BTW), the app will open, but never loads any content. I see the continuous spinning "loading" symbol.

Works direct to the modem.

Doesn't work through my Asus RT-AC68U router.

I've seen no other posts about this problem. We are the only ones and we have the same router. This can't be a coincidence.

Do you think its a router setting? Maybe it needs a port forwarded? I'm glad I'm at least starting to narrow this problem down.

Reply

Answer 5

Dec 10, 2015 4:32 PM in response to courtma41

Are you in the latest ASUS RT-AC68U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.378.9313? It was released on 11/6. One of the bug fixes is below. I didn't check the logs for errors but it may help.

- Fixed repeated mDNSNetMonitor message in system log when there is a Apple TV in LAN.

Reply

Answer 6

Dec 10, 2015 5:00 PM in response to McSlimthis

I got the Gen 4 working also. I activated it with a hotspot then reconnextend wifi. Why the Apple TV only stores one wifi network is beyond me. All the router settings changes were security related.

Reply

Answer 7

courtma41 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 12, 2015 6:50 AM in response to McSlimthis

Ok, I resolved the issue! It was a router setting problem. In the "AiProtection" menu, under the "Network Protection" tab, I turned off the all of the protection options. Everything now works as intended. Thanks to McSlimthis for helping out!

Reply

Answer 8

Feb 6, 2016 3:25 PM in response to courtma41

Same problem, same router, problem solved. It looks like just the "Malicious sites blocking" setting needs to be turned off to have pbskids work.

Reply