Apple TV - Troubleshooting

Chapter 4

Problem? No Problem.

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Chapter 4

Problem? No Problem.

Status light

The status light on the front of Apple TV indicates what’s happening.

If Apple TV is

The status light

On

Glows

Off or in standby

Is off

Starting up

Flashes slowly

Accepting a command from the remote

Flashes once

Rejecting a command from the remote
(you paired a remote with Apple TV, but
you’re using a remote that’s not paired)

Flashes three times

Having problems

Flashes quickly

Additional steps

If Apple TV doesn’t respond to the previous steps, try the following.

If you can’t hear sound

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If Apple TV is connected to a receiver, make sure the receiver is turned on.

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Make sure the input setting you selected on your TV or receiver matches
the input your audio cable is connected to. For more information, see the
documentation that came with your receiver.

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Make sure the volume on your TV or receiver is turned up and isn’t muted.

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Chapter 4

Problem? No Problem.

Chapter 4

Problem? No Problem.

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Make sure you’re using the correct audio cable and that it’s connected firmly to
Apple TV and to your TV or receiver.

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If you’re using the HDMI port for audio, make sure your TV supports audio
through its HDMI port. The HDMI ports on some older TVs support only video.

If there’s noise coming from your TV speakers

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If your TV or speakers support Dolby Digital audio, make sure the Dolby Digital
Out setting is correct for the TV and speakers. On Apple TV, choose Settings >
Audio & Video > Dolby Digital, and select On or Off.

If you’re having trouble viewing content from your iOS device using AirPlay

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On Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and make sure AirPlay is enabled.

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Make sure your iOS device and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.

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Make sure your iOS device is running iOS 4.3 or later.

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If you’re trying to use AirPlay Mirroring to show the screen of your iOS device
on Apple TV, check that your device supports that feature.

If Apple TV isn’t playing your photo albums or slideshows

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Make sure you have photos in your photo library or in a folder on your
computer.

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Make sure Apple TV and the computer you’re using are set up for Home
Sharing. See “Connecting to iTunes” on page 17.

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Make sure the photos you want to share are selected. In iTunes, choose
Advanced > “Choose Photos to Share,” and then select the photos you want
to share.

Chapter 4

Problem? No Problem.

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Chapter 4

Problem? No Problem.

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Make sure Apple TV and your computer are on the same local network.

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Make sure Apple TV and your computer are using the same Home Sharing
account.

If you don’t see your iTunes library under Computers on Apple TV

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Make sure Apple TV and your computer are on the same local network.

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Make sure Apple TV and iTunes are using the same account name and
password.

If the remote isn’t working

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Point the remote directly at Apple TV.

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If you paired Apple TV with an Apple Remote, make sure you’re using the
paired remote.

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If the Apple TV status light flashes once when you press a button on the paired
remote, the problem isn’t with the remote. See “If you can see a picture but
Apple TV isn’t responding” on page 31.

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If you’re using an unpaired remote, the Apple TV status light flashes three times.

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If you paired Apple TV with an Apple Remote and you can’t find the paired
remote, set Apple TV to work with any Apple Remote by holding down Menu
and Left for 6 seconds on another remote.

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Make sure the front of Apple TV isn’t blocked.

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If Apple TV displays a picture of a remote and a warning symbol (·), you need
to replace the battery in the remote. See “Changing the remote battery” on
page 23.

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Chapter 4

Problem? No Problem.

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Problem? No Problem.

If Apple TV can’t access the network

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Check for any obstructions, and adjust the location of the base station or
Apple TV.

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If your network has security enabled, make sure you enter the correct password.

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If security is enabled on the network, temporarily disable it on the base station
and try connecting again.

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Check the IP address Apple TV is using. If it starts with 169.x.x.x, the router or
base station may not be configured properly. Check to see if DHCP access is
available, or configure Apple TV with a manual IP address.

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Apple TV cannot connect to a wireless network that contains high (extended)
ASCII or double-byte (Unicode) characters (such as Japanese, Korean, or
Chinese) in the name or password.

If your TV screen appears fuzzy or black

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Make sure your HDTV supports 720p or 1080p video.

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Make sure you’re using the correct HDMI cable and that it’s firmly connected
to Apple TV and to your TV.

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Make sure the input setting on your TV matches the input port the HDMI
cable is connected to. For information, see the documentation that came
with your TV.