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Apple TV 4K Random HDMI Signal Loss

Anyone have a similar issue they have solved? I originally had the issue of flicker that was solved on my LG C7 by changing motion to User set at 0, but an issue I am having is the signal from my ATV to the TV drops out randomly. Usually I can make it through a show, but a movie it will drop at least once. Audio seams to reset here and there too, but it comes right back with the little Dolby Vision logo on the TV flashing. To get the picture back I have to put the ATV to sleep and then turn it back on. If it wasn’t for the free 4K iTunes upgrades I think I would just be done with this thing. I have tried brand new cables too by the way.

Posted on Nov 18, 2017 7:27 AM

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Posted on Dec 10, 2017 3:37 PM

I’m having the same issue as well. I have an LG 65” SJ8500 with Dolby Vision connected to the Apple TV 4K. I’ve tried turning the SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC) settings off and on on both the Apple TV and LG and still have the same issue. Glad to find other people having this issue because I almost returned my TV thinking it was defective.

257 replies

Jan 24, 2018 2:55 PM in response to jasonmet77

I turned the Dolby Vision off. You're really only missing out on some of the auto screen brightening and more cosmetic things. Since I've done that, the Apple TV has worked fine.


That being said, this TV still has the same issue with my PS4 Pro and Xbox. LG did something to their adaptable signal codec and when these systems change ANYTHING about the signal, the TV freaks out.

Jan 29, 2018 5:01 PM in response to lawrence415

UPDATE: The "No Signal" message has shown up again after a few good days with new Echogear cables. Most often after the ATV4K has been sleep for a while, it has trouble sending the signal to my Sony. Often I get audio, with no video. Restarting ATV4K seems the only sure remedy at the moment. Usually one restart lasts for my entire viewing session.


Looks like I will be living with this pain until Apple address the issue.

Jan 29, 2018 8:06 PM in response to lawrence415

I feel your pain man, this really is seeming to be a 100% ATV4K issue. People are experiencing this same issue it across multiple brands of televisions. And Apple dent really care to fix it. I have not had this Issue with the Amazon FireTV 4K. or Any other 4K streaming device I have. Granted I dont think Amazon Fire 4K is Dolby vision ( please correct me if I'm wrong). I'm just Having the same intermittent issues with the EchoGear Cable that I was having with the "regular" HDMI cables. glad I didnt shell out for that ridiculously expensive Belkin cable.

Jan 30, 2018 7:26 PM in response to jasonmet77

Hi all,


I've been having this issue since day 1 of getting my ATV4K (which was launch day). I have an LG OLED C7 65inch (2017 model). I've tried about 4 different HDMI cables from different manufacturers. I've even tried a "premium certified cable" by the HDMI Org and the problem remains. I've also had my ATV hardware replaced - no luck.


This YouTube video captures the exact issue I'm facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVFBQIQ7Sbg&feature=youtu.be


I've been working with Apple Support and providing system logs whenever the issue happens. They've just called me saying I should try changing "Sleep after" settings to "Never". I'll give it a shot, but I don't think that's going to work. I know the ATV is still running as music playing from it to an AirPlay speaker continues even when there's HDMI signal loss. Highly doubt it's the ATV going to sleep.

Jan 30, 2018 8:04 PM in response to robb77

That suggestion from Apple shows that they have NO idea whats wrong with their hardware/software. It is 100% not a "sleep" issue. The ATV4K stays ON even after the single is lost between the ATV4K and the TV, its not asleep. Apple has no clue whats wrong here. Its not the TV, I have had no issues streaming 4K content with the Amazon fire 4K. Although I dont think thats dolby vision like I am using on the ATV4K. So its hard to say.


I would give the Echo Gear HDMI 2.1 cable you can get on Amazon a try, that "improved" single loss issue, instead of getting multiple losses a day I just get them a few times a week now. But it did not solve the problem completely. Give it a try. But I wish Apple would get on the ball here.

Feb 4, 2018 10:11 AM in response to jasonmet77

So I tried the Echogear and didn't help. What does seem to help a bit is if I change the HDMI Output setting (mine is non-4k). It doesn't matter what I switch it to, just that I switch it. This will usually help for a while but eventually it will go back to dropping the signal to the TV. Gonna try putting a hdmi splitter between the ATV and the TV to see if that helps at all. I'm going on the theory that since the ATV doesn't have the problem when going through a A/V receiver the splitter will have a similar effect. I agree with everyone else, this is really getting frustrating. I'm getting tired of these little patch solutions for something that "should just work".

Feb 9, 2018 3:43 PM in response to happyfox

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I thought the same thing after I bought the echo gear and was using it for a little over 3 weeks before... you guessed it, SINGAL LOSS. It does not happen nearly as often as it did with the regular cables, BUT it still happens. Why its intermittent is a mystery to me, but it still happens. And its super frustrating. And the apple "geniuses " have NO clue what or why not would happen, their only susggetion is to buy the 30$ Belkin cable.

Feb 15, 2018 1:36 PM in response to GayleG

Same problem here. Apple 4k giving problems. My tv looses source input on random moments. I used two new hdmi cables both capable of 4k HDR. I even updated to the beta firmware without any luck. It seems to happen on 720p, 1080p, 4k and 4k hdr.


Had no problems with my regular apple tv. I have a Samsung Qled QE55Q8F.

Feb 15, 2018 2:00 PM in response to lowtje

The more I read everyones posts, the more I feel like this has to be a ATV4K issue and not our television sets, the same issue its happening across several different brands, from LG to Sony and Samsung. And apple has yet to acknowledge it. Even when calling and talking to them about the issue they just say but their **** expensive 35$ belkin cable. This is really getting frustrating.

Feb 15, 2018 2:12 PM in response to kgiame1

Since I’m having this issue with both my AppleTV4K and my PS4Pro, I’m wondering if perhaps it’s my Denon AV Receiver? The issue happens primarily (always?) when the device is outputting Dolby Vision or HDR (which, in the case of the AppleTV4K, it’s always outputting In Dolby Vision). Does anyone else have a receiver in between their AppleTV4K and their TV?

Feb 15, 2018 2:25 PM in response to 3leggeddog

Im not using a AV receiver, my ATV4K is plugged right into my TV using an echoer HDM 2.1 cable. And it only happens when im outputting DolbyVision or HDR. Never had a problem with this same TV with the older non 4K ATV. So in my mind, this has to be an ATV4K issue with how it is outputting the signal to the TV (maybe?) im no expert of course but it just does not seem like one Televisions are these here.

Feb 15, 2018 2:33 PM in response to jasonmet77

I bought the Echogear HDMI cable from Amazon 3 weeks ago. Problem solved. Apple TV 4K requires HDCP 2.2 support. This means your HDMI input on your 4K TV, your HDMI cable, and anything else in between needs to support HDCP 2.2. Most HDMI cables do not support HDCP 2.2. Some 4K TV inputs do not support HDCP 2.2. The Echogear HDMI cable worked for me. Price is $16.99 today at Amazon:

ECHOGEAR 8 ft Braided HDMI 2.1 Cable - 4k & HDR Compatible With Gold Plated Connections For the Best Picture - Supports HD, 4k, 3D, & Ethernet Signals With 120fps Refresh & 48gbps Bandwidth. Supports HDCP2.2 when using HDCP2.2 video source.

🙂

Feb 15, 2018 2:37 PM in response to happyfox

What model TV are you using? And I certainly dont want to be the bearer of bad news, but I thought the same thing when I got the Echoer cable. Worked great for a few weeks, no signal loss. and then BAM. single loss again even when using the Echoer. So, your problem is fixed, for now. But is sure to return. Unfortunately.

Feb 15, 2018 4:11 PM in response to happyfox

My LG OLED is Dolby Vision compatible, its one of the main selling points of the TV. its an LG OLED B7. So While I agree with everything you say, its certainly accurate, I still am not convinced this is a Television issue, as I dont have this issue with other HDR or 4K content from other non ATV devices. Even when I output HDR or just regular 4K (non Dolby Vision 4K) I get the single loss. **** Even when im outputting 1080P I get the signal loss. Although NOT as often. But just the fact that it happens makes me believe that this is not an issue with my TV. Non of my other devices has this issue, even my older gen non 4K ATV didnt have this issue. And when talking with Apple Techs about it, they dont ev ben mention \that your television set needs to be HDCP 2.2 they just say, but the 30$ Belkin cable.

Apple TV 4K Random HDMI Signal Loss

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