Abulafia
Level 1 (10 points)

Q: AirPlay Problems

Here's my tech specs:

 

Retina MacBook Pro 13" 2014 (El Capitan OS 10.11.2, 16GB RAM, 128GB SSD)

iPhone 5S (OS 9.2, 32GB)

Apple TV 4 (OS 9.1, 64GB)

AirPort Extreme 4 (802.11n, 7.6.4)

Beamer 3.0.2

 

I have Beamer installed and regularly use it to stream from my MBP to my Apple TV.  I last did so successfully a couple of days prior to Christmas.  Today I tried streaming a file via Beamer after updating it, and received an error message that it was unable to connect.  Apple TV is showing up as available in Beamer, iTunes, and from the drop-down menu icon on the desktop.  However, attempting to stream or mirror via AirPlay on my Mac now results in a "Could not connect to Apple TV" error message.  I tried resetting my MBP, Apple TV, and AirPort and the problem continues.

 

I checked AirPort Utility on my Mac and got this:

Airport Utility.jpg

However, AirPort Utility on my iPhone can find and connect to my AirPort Extreme with no trouble.  I'm also able to stream to the Apple TV using my iPhone.

 

A few people with similar issues mentioned Firewall configurations as the cause of AirPlay failures.  Mine is configured thus:

Firewall.jpg

One strange thing I noticed is that the firewall seemed to be switched off by itself twice while checking settings during troubleshooting, even though I very specifically make sure to have it on for obvious reasons.  It may or may not be relevant, but I also use a commercial VPN for added security, but I don't think this would affect firewall settings or AirPlay connectivity.

 

The only thing that has changed software-wise in the last few days would be a Beamer upgrade that I installed today just before the issue appeared.  While I can see that possibly breaking the application's connection with the Apple TV, I don't see how it would affect AirPlay functionality across the board, or the ability to find my AirPort via the utility application on my Mac.

 

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions on this one?

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Dec 27, 2015 12:05 PM

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Abulafia

Q: AirPlay Problems

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  • Helpful answers

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Dec 28, 2015 9:25 AM in response to Abulafia
    Level 8 (48,715 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 28, 2015 9:25 AM in response to Abulafia

    I don't know what "Beamer" is or what benefit you require it to convey, but the usual troubleshooting step requires uninstalling it to determine if it is the direct cause of the AirPlay problems you're describing.

     

    ... even though I very specifically make sure to have it on for obvious reasons.

     

    I don't know what those obvious reasons are. Perhaps you could explain what you expect OS X's application firewall to do for you.

  • by Abulafia,

    Abulafia Abulafia Dec 28, 2015 6:31 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Dec 28, 2015 6:31 PM in response to John Galt

    John Galt wrote:

     

    I don't know what "Beamer" is or what benefit you require it to convey


    Check out (http://beamer-app.com/) .  Trashing Beamer did not regain AirPlay functionality, unfortunately.

    John Galt wrote:

     

     

     

    ... even though I very specifically make sure to have it on for obvious reasons.

     

    I don't know what those obvious reasons are. Perhaps you could explain what you expect OS X's application firewall to do for you.

    The firewall system preferences pretty much spell out my expectations: "The firewall is [...] set up to prevent unauthorized applications, programs, and services from accepting incoming connections."  For the benefit of all checking this thread, I confirmed that my firewall seems to not be turning on automatically after cold boots and restarts; dunno if that has anything to do with anything.

     

    So, any other suggestions about solutions?