hothjedi
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple TV

Q: Problem: Apple TV Can't Connect To Mac Mini When Using Ethernet To the Router

When my Apple TV and my Mac Mini are connected each via wifi to my router, I can connect to the Mac Mini within the the Apple TV so it can share the video and music on the Mac Mini.

 

However, the Apple TV is much faster if if I connect it via ethernet to the router. But if I connect it via ethernet to the router, and the Mac mini connects via wifi to the router, I now cannot see the Mac Mini within the Apple TV. It seems like they are now not on the same network, though they should be.

 

I saw elsewhere some people used the "Share Connection" on the Mac Mini and connected the Apple TV via ethernet to the Mac Mini. Then everything works well. EXCEPT, now other devices on the network, such as iPads and iPhones, can't find either because they are on ethernet and the iPhones and iPads are on wifi via the same router. So this is not a good solution.

 

So is there a solution to this problem? Must everything be on Wifi or else nothing can work? Can I have some devices on ethernet and some on wifi all working on the same router and all communicating with each other?

 

Tks for your ideas

AppleTV 2, tvOS 10

Posted on Oct 4, 2016 1:44 AM

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hothjedi

Q: Problem: Apple TV Can't Connect To Mac Mini When Using Ethernet To the Router

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  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Oct 4, 2016 1:57 AM in response to hothjedi
    Level 10 (104,533 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 4, 2016 1:57 AM in response to hothjedi

    There shouldn't be an issue using a mixed network, however that being said you need to check that your router bridges wifi and ethernet and you are indeed using a single network. The best way to check is to look at the IP addresses that your DHCP router has assigned to each device, in each case the first 3 sets of numbers between the dots should be the same, the last set of numbers should be unique.

     

    If you have checked you are on the same network then you likely have an issue with your network environment. Simple troubleshooting consists of restarting all devices including the router and removing the cables from them and powering them down.

     

    You may also find some help on this page, where I’ve collected some of the more unusual solutions to network issues. However if your router is supplied by your ISP you may wish to give them a call and ask for advice, they likely understand your router and it's settings better than anyone and may even be able to fix your problem remotely.