Airplay connection requires on screen code even though the code is disabled in settings

Question

Airplay connection requires on screen code even though the code is disabled in settings

I have multiple Apple TVs (both generation 3 and 4) that are requiring an onscreen code to connect to airplay. I have checked in settings and this feature is disabled. Security settings are turned off and password is turned off. I connected the Apple TV 3 to the computer and restored it. I reset all settings. Still get the code. I even took a brand new Apple TV out of the box and connected it and it is asking for an airplay code that appears onscreen.

I am using a Cisco Meraki and have not been able to find any settings through that which would require this. Any suggestions?

Posted on Oct 5, 2016 8:24 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 5, 2016 9:25 AM in response to athedrummaster

Hi. This seems to have something to do with the OS on the computer you're trying to AirPlay from. What is the computer, and what OS version does it have? Have you rebooted the computer since the last OS update? Have you restarted the router? Are you able to AirPlay from iOS devices?

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Answer 2

Oct 5, 2016 9:34 AM in response to Diana.McCall

Thanks for your reply. I am attempting to airplay from my iPhone 6s running the current version of iOS 10. I am able to airplay just fine, but when attempting to connect it asks me to type in the code that is shown on the screen of the Apple TV. All of the security settings are turned off on the Apple TV, including the onscreen code setting.

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Answer 3

Oct 5, 2016 9:43 AM in response to athedrummaster

Have you restarted the phone since the last update? Hold Sleep and Home buttons until you see the Apple. And it wouldn't hurt to restart the router. Are you using DHCP for the Apple TVs?

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Answer 4

Oct 5, 2016 9:52 AM in response to Diana.McCall

Yes I have restarted the phone. The Apple TVs are in a corporate setting and everyone is having this issue, not just me. I believe we are using DHCP.

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Answer 5

Oct 5, 2016 10:47 AM in response to athedrummaster

OK. I don't know, but I believe this is caused by some discrepancy between the AirPlay protocols used by the ATVs and the connecting devices. The device thinks the ATV wants a code, so it asks for the code. And,of course, the ATV doesn't acknowledge the code, so the connection fails. Other folks have reported that it doesn't work even if ATV does require the code. You restored one of the ATV 3s, so it should have software version 7.2.1, which is the latest for it.

Did this use to work? Can you identify when it started failing? Possibly with release of iOS 10 on Sept 16, 2016? It may be some issue with the router, but that's hard to say. Does your network allow connection between local devices? That is, there's no security restriction protecting local devices from each other?

I believe you implied that you can "see" the ATVs, but are unable to complete the connection, so your Bonjour should be working correctly.

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Answer 6

Oct 5, 2016 11:12 AM in response to Diana.McCall

So, to clarify a few things. I can airplay just fine using my device. After I type in the code that the apple tv shows, I connect and can airplay. The problem is, I don't want to have to type in a code and all of the settings related to this are turned off. It doesn't bother me so much as my boss. They say that it "never works". I have not been able to witness it not functioning, other than the fact that it asks for the 4 digit passcode on the screen (which is turned off in settings). Others that are having this issue do not have iOS 10 installed on their devices, and I believe it was occurring before the iOS 10 release.

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Answer 7

Oct 6, 2016 8:52 AM in response to athedrummaster

Right. Finally this is clear. I was confused because some computer users have experienced ghost code requests. Your system is working normally, in that ATV expects the code and accepts it. But the code requirement is not enabled, so it makes no sense. Do your ATVs all have different names? Are you using Conference Room Mode? Have you enabled Restrictions to force Conference Room Mode? Have you used a Configuration Profile to force Conference Room Mode?

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Answer 8

Oct 6, 2016 12:15 PM in response to Diana.McCall

All ATV have different names, I am using conference room mode, but it does it whether I am in conference room mode or not, I have not enabled restrictions, have not used a configuration profile. I took one to a different network, reset it, and then tried; no code necessary. Reset the same atv, took it to the network that it is used on, requires code. We are using a Cisco Meraki security appliance that manages our wifi, but I cannot find anything that has to do with atv at all in the settings or in the help articles.

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Answer 9

Oct 6, 2016 1:44 PM in response to athedrummaster

In your router, you could look for Bonjour, mDNS, and multicast. This affects service discovery, but you said you have no problem with discovery. Still, the router may be interfering with the video AirPlay protocol in some special way. It may recognize the service name _airplay._tcp., or the connection to port 7000 on the ATV.

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