Apple TV (4th Gen) seems to be crashing

My mom has this problem also, so I took one of my 4th Gen Apple TVs, did a factory reset, then loaded it with her accounts and apps. I took hers and did the same with my accounts and apps. Now my Apple TV is having the same problem with her stuff on it, and hers is having no issues, which leads me to believe it is purely a software issue. I thought it may have due to her leaving DirecTV Now streaming when she shut her TV off, but I programmed her Logitech Harmony remote to return to the Apple TV home screen when she turned everything off, and it had no effect. I’ve also tried stopping it from going to sleep - also no effect. Her Apple TV acts as her Homekit hub, so it has been particularly annoying, as her lights don’t go off automatically at night when the Apple TV has crashed. The only thing I can think of that I haven’t tried is to turn off any screen saver, as that would be the only thing that would run after it hasn’t been used for some time that I can think of.

I did try it without the Harmony remote and it continued to have the same problem. I bought a new one and it had the same problem. I finally switched it to "never sleep" and so far that has worked. Not sure if that is detrimental to the Apple TV, but couldn't make things any worse than they were.

Thank you for your reply.

I would take it to Apple so they can have a look

It's not a software glitch as it is working for the majority of users. It's best to take it in so you can have a proper investigation done into the cause.

If it persists after a restore via iTunes then take it to Apple

I had/have this problem. I did a factory reset after talking with Apple Support. It helped for a while. Then the behavior returned. I took it into the Apple Store and they swapped it out for a ‘new’ one. (Refurbished) I’ve had it home now for about 3 weeks and the new one is doing the same thing! Currently doing a factory reset. So we’ll see where that gets me. But I suspect in a month or so, I’ll be back to the Apple Store. Which is SUPER inconvenient because I’m expecting a newborn in about 3 weeks. I really wanted this taken care of before she showed up!

I have this same exact problem with both of my Apple TV's (both are 4th gen.). A few months ago I started using them in conjunction with Harmony remotes. This is when I first noticed the problem. I was wondering if it has something to do with the way the remote powers everything off. I don't think it powers off the Apple TV. Most times, after being off for a while, when I try to turn on system and watch Apple TV, the TV says there is no input. The light is on on the Apple TV. In fact, I think the light has stayed on.

I then unplug and replug the Apple TV and it says the Apple TV is in recovery mode and gives me the option of resetting or restarting. I have tried both multiple times without success. I also purchased another Apple TV and was having the same problem. I feel like it has something to do with my Harmony remote. Appreciate any help.

Thank you for the reply.

Three days in and everything seems ok in “never sleep” mode.

I decided not to take it in to the store because I strongly believe it is a software glitch. I’ve had the same two Apple TV’s for years without an issue. Both started having issues around the same time. I then bought a new one and it had the same issue. More importantly, hundreds of others have posted that they have the same problem.

Hopefully somebody can figure out why the Apple TV’s, as of a couple of months ago, are unable to consistently wake from sleep. The white light stays on the whole time, but there is no output. After plugging and unplugging, it starts in recovery mode.

I’m having the same problem! I have 3 Apple TVs and 2 of them have been fine, but one of them has been an issue. Tried everything with one of them, didn’t fix. I sent into Apple, and they mailed me another refurbished 4th Gen. worked for 2 weeks, and now crashes and goes into recovery mode with blinking lights. It seems to happen when Apple TV goes into sleep mode and eventually turns off. Blinking lights come later on, and when you get it back on, it asks to reset or reboot? Something is definitely up Apple!!

Please help someone!!!

So you’re aware, I was advised this was my 3rd repair. Next steps would be to investigate “other factors” that could be causing this. (Although I did not have the same issues with my 3rd gen. - same set up) They gave me the option of replacing the unit or doing a factory reset via iTunes. I was advised there is a difference between doing a reset on the unit vs. a reset via iTunes. However, they did not go into details as to what the difference was. As I’m having a baby this week, I opted for the hardware swap with the risk of a long an arduous return process should the new unit fail. However, it at least buys us a month. (If history holds up)

Its not a software glitch as it is working for the majority of users? That doesnt make any sense. Its almost definitely a software glitch. Even if its an incompatibility with a certain app, HDMI cable, memory management or the logitech stuff... its still a software problem related to the TVos specific to the 4th gen Apple TV

Is anyone here HAVING the problem who does NOT use the harmony remote?

One user commented the problem moving from one apple TV to another by changing user profiles. Somethings wrong going on at Apple nowadays.

Nothing wrong with setting it to never sleep, but you can take it to Apple if you want to have them take a look at what may be causing the issue

I own 3 (4th generation) Apple TV's and have never had an issue with any of them until recently. Im having the same exact issues with all of mine. they have been going into recovery mode nearly every other day.

Posting as a follow up to the factory reset I did on 2/21: Now on 2/28 got the same screen again after doing the factory reset. Now setting up an appointment at Apple. 😳🙄 🏽♀ 37 weeks pregnant and don’t have the time to waste on this crap. 😡 And I’m a loyal Apple customer and this is starting to **** even me off!

My Apple TV 4th Gen started doing this about 3-4 months ago, I have restored it multiple times with no luck. I didn't buy the apple care plan for it and its well over a year old so I didn't think taking it in to apple to be checked out would even be worth it. We just bought an Apple TV 4k and it too is having the same issue. Our 3rd Gen Apple TV has been working just fine. I have a feeling its something with the software. I have called Support and all they have had me do is reset and restore it, but its all the stuff I have already done and that isn't working. Ugh I really don't feel like making a trip to the apple store.