Apple TV 4K, Black Screen, no Picture Sound Only

Note: I'm using an Apple TV 4k connected to a 65" LG OLEDC7 series TV.

I too am having this problem and it just started today. It was working fine last night, as it has every day since we purchased the Apple TV 4k a few months ago, but now it's having problems. More specifically, this evening when we turned on our Apple TV, it worked fine. Then, we went to the HBO Go App to watch Game of Thrones. Everything was still fine and we could see the HBO Go Menu, select a series, and play it. Unfortunately, after starting the episode, the TV went black. We could hear the audio, but not see a picture. As a result, we backed out and restarted the app. That didn't fix anything and we still had the same problem. So we tried a different HBO Series other than GoT within the HBO Go app. Same problem. So then we restarted the Apple TV 4k itself. Still the same problem. So then we tried a different app--Amazon Prime. Same problem. Then we tried the Netflix app and still the same problem. After doing this several times, and why the screen was still black, the following message popped up on my TV screen, "This video can't be played. It looks like your HDMI cable or connection doesn't support HDCP, which is required to play this type of video. Try reconnecting the HDMI cable from the Apple TV to your TV, and play this video again." So we did that, but still the same problem.

So then I went to settings and verified the Apple TV 4k is up to date. I also "checked the cable" and it verified that my HDMI Cable and TV are capable of running Dolby Vision 4k at 60hz--the very best resolution Apple TV 4k can put out. Tried watching an episode of GoT and still the same problem--a black screen while the audio plays.

Although this HDMI cable is new and the Apple TV 4k verified it is working properly (see above), I nevertheless tried using different cables and hooding them to different TV inputs. Still the same problem. I just don't understand.

This is all so odd and disappointing. I'm a huge Apple fan and based on all the comments in this thread and related blogs, there is clearly an issue with the Apple TV 4k itself. I also find it odd that mine started happening problems today after it worked completely fine last night. Was there a recent update early this morning or late last night?

I hope somebody can release a patch to fix this glitch.

This issue has been driving me nuts since I got my ATV 4K soon after it was released. I thought I had a defective unit!

The Restart option has been my only salvation, but SO boring to have to do it every time I want to watch tv.

Apple needs to fix this issue, and I would have expected them to do so by now. I’m close to switching over to another box, as I am sure others are considering.

I am having the same issue and so is 3 of my clients with Apple 4K media players. My Apple TV 4K has been doing this on and off ever since I bought it a few weeks after they came out. This device has been plagued with issues with video play back. Its getting very frustrating that apple would go to all the trouble to develope this device and not support it properly. I sell these to my clients and they all have issues with video playback.

Its has as much reliablity of a Roku stick with a slick UI.

Sony TVs are one of the top players in the TV game and no one can buy an apple TV because they have a Sony TV and it refuses to handshake HDMI? Crazy. I am going to turn off rhe screensaver and see if thats the issue.

I appreciate that, however that was a suggestion for the OP initially. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't also try another cable, but I just wanted to point out that changing cables isn't likely to address HDCP issues.

Same issue on Sony Oled TV, it's HDCP issue, negotiation with TV failed when TV wake from sleep. Nothing to do... i've wrote to Apple 10 times, no return.

Try the Apple TV with

• another HDMI cable
• another TV
• on another network

I have this issue too. I have a Sony 900e and have tried different hdmi cables and inputs. Very annoying since I use this as my main device on the tv.

And have you tried the suggestions made.

I have tried multiple cables and multiple inputs on the tv. I do not have the ability to test on another tv or network. This issue did not appear until match range and frame update was implemented.

Then you may have to turn match off. It may be that a cable or your TV doesn't properly support one of the settings the Apple TV switches to.

But why would it work after I restart the Apple TV. It seems to me that there is a software issue possibly HDCP related.

I wouldn't rule that out but, if so it's specific to your TV and cabling not the Apple TV.

Try it on another TV, you'll soon see which device is causing the problem.

The belkin cable did not help any so that stinks. I did notice that if I sleep the Apple TV with the Apple remote (which also shuts off the tv) the handshake issue doesn’t happen.

I'm not sure why you tied another cable if you suspected an HDCP issue, if there was such an issue it would be in the card in the TV not the cable.