Apple TV (2nd Gen) Restarts Repeatedly

Question

Level 6

12,594 points

Apple TV (2nd Gen) Restarts Repeatedly

My 2nd Gen Apple TV has been restarting on its own with increasing regularity recently. It only happens when I try to stream media from the Apple TV. The amount of time I can stream before a restart varies from as much as an hour and a half to as little as about 3 minutes. It happens with Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, iTunes Movies, Podcasts, anything. The weird things is that if I AirPlay the same content to the Apple TV, I don't have any issues at all. I have manually restarted, reset, restored as a new device, and still the same result. It is connected to the network via WiFi and sits on a bookshelf under the TV with nothing else around it. Anyone have any thoughts?

Apple TV (2nd generation)

Posted on Aug 10, 2016 11:03 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Aug 11, 2016 9:27 AM in response to celliott147

To restore the software, you need a computer running iTunes and a cable, see Restore your Apple TV through iTunes - Apple Support. This will download the full software image from the internet, so it may take a while.

Reply

Answer 2

Aug 10, 2016 1:55 PM in response to celliott147

That is strange. If you AirPlay, not mirroring, the streaming works the same as when you initiate it from the device itself. The only difference is that it runs the code for the ATV channel in one case, vs the AirPlay support code in the other. I hate to say it, but you may need to restore the software, see Restore your Apple TV through iTunes - Apple Support. You could wait a bit, to see if anyone has another idea.

Reply

Answer 3

celliott147 Author

Level 6

12,594 points

Aug 10, 2016 4:54 PM in response to Winston Churchill

I regularly restart my AirPort Extreme. I have tried both a wired and a wireless connection in another room as well. For what it's worth when I AirPlay content, the name shows up as Bedroom Apple TV (273).

Reply

Answer 4

Aug 11, 2016 9:48 AM in response to Diana.McCall

I'm not sure that is correct, I believe you have the option to restore to factory conditions or to restore and download the current version from the device itself.

It may be that a network issue means that in some cases iTunes becomes necessary but generally speaking I suspect needing a computer is not necessary.

Reply

Answer 5

celliott147 Author

Level 6

12,594 points

Aug 10, 2016 2:23 PM in response to Diana.McCall

Exactly. That's what's weird. I have no issues with AirPlay or AirPlay Mirroring. I have restored it twice already. I'm baffled. I'll try another restore to see if it does anything.

Reply

Answer 6

Aug 10, 2016 2:53 PM in response to celliott147

Have you restarted the router yet. Try using the Apple TV in another location and see if the problem persists.

Reply

Answer 7

Aug 10, 2016 5:06 PM in response to celliott147

When I say another location, I really meant somewhere else, like at a friends house.

Reply

Answer 8

celliott147 Author

Level 6

12,594 points

Aug 10, 2016 8:50 PM in response to Winston Churchill

I'll try it at my parents' house. I am trying to get fresh firmware on it (not extracted from the device), but I can't figure out how to do it. Any thoughts?

Reply