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Apple TV buffering problems

Is the Apple TV a dud?

  • Yes

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • No

    Votes: 8 88.9%
  • Total voters
    9
  • Poll closed .
pja2536

pja2536

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 8, 2015
83
15
Batemans Bay, Australia
I have an Apple TV, 4th Generation with 32Mb of memory. After about an hour to an hour and a half the video stream starts to buffer. It seems the only option is to power off and restart the device. Then it lasts for another ≈ hour and a half before buffering again.

I have tweaked my modem/router to get the best possible WiFi speed at the Apple TV's location. I have a fibre to the node broadband connection. I have also added a WiFi speed measurement app to the Apple TV. I also have the same app on my iPad and iPhone.

The WiFi speed measured at the device location is ≈ 40Mbps on both Apple TV and iPad.

After streaming for ≈ an hour and a half buffering occurs and sometimes the program can't be restarted, requiring the Apple TV to be powered off and then restarted. Prior to the restart, WiFi speed measured on the Apple TV is ≈ 1-2Mbps while the speed measured by the iPad located beside the Apple TV is ≈ 40Mbps.

I can regularly repeat these tests.

I replaced the Apple TV with an iPad using a Lightning Digital AV Adapter and over several days with many hours of video streaming there has been NO buffering.

This indicates a problem with the Apple TV.

Has anybody else had similar problems with their Apple TV?

Regards,
Peter
 
40mbs isn't great these days and could be the reason why you are buffering. I have a 500mb down and 200mb up and have not seen it buffer once.
 
shenfrey said:
40mbs isn't great these days and could be the reason why you are buffering. I have a 500mb down and 200mb up and have not seen it buffer once.
Click to expand...
Three points:
  1. In Australia 50Mbps is the most popular plan with most ISPs. 100Mbps is the max with most ISPs
  2. Netflix says 5Mbps download is adequate for buffer free viewing
  3. When I stream video on my iPad or iPhone (same location, same network) I do not get any buffering.
It seems to me that there are problems with the Apple TV not the network.

I'm looking for advice on resolving buffering not running a survey on what other contributors are achieving for their downloads.

But thanks for you reply anyway!

Peter
 
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How many devices are running when it is buffering? Is it during peak usage times? There’s so many variables that can cause buffering. I would start with a resetting of your modem and router. That fixes a lot of net issues. Just unplug them and disconnect the service line and let it sit for 10 mins. Reconnect everything and let it reboot. See if that helps.
 
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I wonder if either you are getting throttled or your router is getting overworked? I have great internet (low tier 100mb down and up) but when my PlayStation is downloading a game, it taxes the router so heavily that the memory fills up and basically crashes my entire network. Maybe your Apple TV is doing something similar as not all routers and modems are created equal.
 
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pja2536 said:
Three points:
  1. In Australia 50Mbps is the most popular plan with most ISPs. 100Mbps is the max with most ISPs
  2. Netflix says 5Mbps download is adequate for buffer free viewing
  3. When I stream video on my iPad or iPhone (same location, same network) I do not get any buffering.
It seems to me that there are problems with the Apple TV not the network.

I'm looking for advice on resolving buffering not running a survey on what other contributors are achieving for their downloads.

But thanks for you reply anyway!

Peter
Click to expand...
The Netflix 5Mbps is the minimum for SD content.

What you could try is open Settings then go to Apps, select iTunes Movies and TV Shows and turn off Quick Start.
CE7CC318-842B-4D0C-8861-E8BD731E8FBA.jpeg
 
Thank you everybody who responded.

Today I did a complete factory reset and software update (I thought the tvOS was up to date). This was followed by some minor "sign on" tasks and I was ready to go.

I tested the Apple TV with more than 6 hours continual streaming without a single buffering event.

Several of the support sites I looked at said that the factory reset was the last straw thing to try. I was reluctant because of the amount of re-configuration of apps I might have to do.

In practice all the apps were still there after the reset and just required a re-login.

I have the Ookla speed test app installed on the Apple TV and speeds seem better after the factory reset; ≈ 42Mbps.

So more testing over the next few days will show if I've fixed the problem

Stay safe,
Peter
 
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pja2536 said:
Thank you everybody who responded.

Today I did a complete factory reset and software update (I thought the tvOS was up to date). This was followed by some minor "sign on" tasks and I was ready to go.

I tested the Apple TV with more than 6 hours continual streaming without a single buffering event.

Several of the support sites I looked at said that the factory reset was the last straw thing to try. I was reluctant because of the amount of re-configuration of apps I might have to do.

In practice all the apps were still there after the reset and just required a re-login.

I have the Ookla speed test app installed on the Apple TV and speeds seem better after the factory reset; ≈ 42Mbps.

So more testing over the next few days will show if I've fixed the problem

Stay safe,
Peter
Click to expand...
Well the problem still exists!

I am using Apple media connector to connect iPad or iPhone to our TV via a HDMI cable with NO buffering/speed problems; NONE!

Conclusion: The Apple TV is a dud!
 
pja2536 said:
Conclusion: The Apple TV is a dud!
Click to expand...

Possible, but the least likely point of failure.

Have you done any Wifi debugging?

1. How many WiFi networks are active in your vicinity?

2. Are you connected to a 2.5 or 5.0 GHz network?

3. What channels are you using?

I have some 52 networks active in my vicinity. All of the 2.5 channels have poor quality due to network saturation, up to 10 networks sharing the same channel. However there are some 5.0 channels which offer good connectivity:

Screen Shot 2021-02-01 at 3.33.55 AM copy.jpg

Currently I am connected to the 5.0 GHz channel one, and I am the only one on that channel.

If you can install the developer HUD for many video apps it will display the network bandwidth that the Apple TV sees. Even though I have a good wireless network (~400 Mbps at the Apple TV) there are huge variations.

Things will be working fine, then all of a sudden I get buffering. I check and the bandwidth has dropped <10 Mbps. I check my network settings and see that my Apple TV has changed its network (I have 4 possible networks to connect to) to one of my slowest ones. Not totally sure why this happens, but assume that it was due to network contention. If the network hasn't changed, maybe other networks have jumped on the channel I was using.
 
Last edited:
HDFan said:
Have you done any Wifi debugging?

1. How many WiFi networks are active in your vicinity?

2. Are you connected to a 2.5 or 5.0 GHz network?

3. What channels are you using?
Click to expand...
Have you done any Wifi debugging?

Yes; I have several good WiFi monitor apps on my MacBook Air

How many WiFi networks are active in your vicinity?

Two others beside mine; both are neighbours and they are operating on different frequencies to my channels.

Are you connected to a 2.5 or 5.0 GHz network?

Both at different times but primarily on 5GHz as the Apple TV is some distance from my modem/router

What channels are you using?

Both networks were connected to "Auto". But on the advice of my ISP the 5GHz network has been left on "Auto" and I have experimented with channels 1, 3, 6 and 11.

While I appreciate the help and advice I get on this forum I get mildly annoyed when responders don't seem to read my posts.

I have this loss of WiFi signal strength ONLY when I'm using the Apple TV. If I use a Lightning Digital AV Adapter connected to an iPad or iPhone with a HDMI cable connected to my TV THERE IS NEVER A WiFi BUFFERING PROBLEM.

The problem only occurs with my Apple TV. My wife and I use our iPads in the same room where the Apple TV is used and never suffer WiFi buffering on these devices.

I have restored the Apple TV to the default factory setting and still the problem reoccurs. Restarting the Apple TV gives me another 60 to 90 minutes of viewing before it begins to WiFi buffer and the program becomes unwatchable. It seems the Apple TV gets it's memory filled and it can't clear it.

Regards,
Peter
 
pja2536 said:
While I appreciate the help and advice I get on this forum I get mildly annoyed when responders don't seem to read my posts.

I have this loss of WiFi signal strength ONLY when I'm using the Apple TV. If I use a Lightning Digital AV Adapter connected to an iPad or iPhone with a HDMI cable connected to my TV THERE IS NEVER A WiFi BUFFERING PROBLEM.
Click to expand...

I did read them. The fact that the iPad or iPhone don't show the problem is useful information, but not definitive. I have the latest iPad Pro and iPhone. Using the same cellular network when they are right next to each other sometimes one will have connectivity, the other won't. They all have different hardware, antennas, antenna locations so they may not work the same. Wireless, cellular or Wifi, is inconsistent.

So you've diagnosed your network and channels and they seem ok. With the lowest lying fruit out of the way we need to dig in deeper.

1. The obvious assumption is that the buffering problem is due to WiFi. That needs to be verified, which can be done by installing the Developer HUD on the Apple TV. If you see that the HUD shows network bandwidth dropping at the same time as you get the buffering when watching Netflix then that would confirm that it is network issue. If it doesn't drop, then that would indicate something else. Speedtest is helpful, but the Developer HUD (in applications where it works) is as close to definitive as you can get since it will show what bandwidth Netflix actually sees.

2. IF you can move the Apple TV next to the router that might add some addition information.

3. If you by any chance have another router available, does that make a difference?

4. You mentioned that you see some other networks. If you are friendly with them and the signal is strong enough would they be willing to allow to to borrow a connection temporarily to see if that makes a difference?

5. The last resort would be to try another Apple TV. If you have AppleCare see if you can get a replacement. If not you could buy a new one, and return it if it has the same problem, or get one on eBay.
 
Is Ethernet out of the question? At the least it might confirm your WiFi is the problem. I have always used direct connections for streaming devices as I have always found WiFi unreliable at the most inconvenient times. You can measure a solid speed one minute and it dips the next. Never had a problem over Ethernet, even streaming UHD, and we only get 35Mbps.
 
pja2536 said:
While I appreciate the help and advice I get on this forum I get mildly annoyed when responders don't seem to read my posts.
Click to expand...
In fairness to the forum you do seem to be reluctant to see this as a wifi issue, despite the poor connection and longer than normal distance.

Chanting that the 'Apple TV is a dud' and even running a poll on the matter has suggested to many that you are not one for intellectual rigour when it comes to meaningful diagnostics and you may have a somewhat closed mind.

But in effort to read your post and answer it directly:

- No, Apple TV is not a dud
- Yes, you have a local problem caused by your misjudged setup
- No, wishing the problem away with resets will not work
- Yes, both my Apple TV4Ks work perfectly
 
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No buffering problems... but then my Apple TV is connected via ethernet to the modem and via HDMI to the TV. I intentionally DO NOT use wireless for the best possible performance.

I live in an apartment complex. I have any number of potential leeches all around me stealing bandwidth. Add in the physical interference of the building itself and you have a recipe for sub-par performance. Perfect for phone service, but not ideal for reliable streaming.

Also, a lot of content is being offered at 4K now... which is great for eating up your data usage, not so great for performance. Those minimums for streaming all assume the standard 1080 format not 4K because most content wasn't even available in 4K until recently. Something to also consider.
 
Topfry said:
Is Ethernet out of the question?
Click to expand...
No it's not! I would have to use Ethernet over power lines (mainly for cost reasons) but have been sceptical about this approach. A fellow member on the Australian Whirlpool forum does this and says he gets great results.

Thing is, the HDMI adapter connecting either my iPad or iPhone to the TV works fine with NO problems. Do I need to bother with the Apple TV?

I'll think about it.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Peter
 
RobbieTT said:
In fairness to the forum you do seem to be reluctant to see this as a wifi issue, despite the poor connection and longer than normal distance.
Click to expand...
Explain one thing to me; if the Apple TV (connected via WiFi) buffers to a point where programs can't be watched without a device restart then why do I not see the same problems with any of our four iOS devices located near enough to the same spot as the Apple TV and running over the sam WiFi network.

You can be as rude as you like about me refusing to acknowledge advice and about my "misjudged setup" as you like but none of that is providing help and it is illogical and wrong.

But thanks for taking the time…

Peter
 
It would be interesting to compare graphs of your download and upload traffic —
1 - when you are streaming and your Apple TV acts up and
2 - when you stream the same content with your iPad with no problems.

FWIW I use PeakHour 4 (SNMP) to monitor the traffic on our old school LAN with an Airport Extreme as our main router and an Airport Express which extends our LAN (via ethernet) to our media room with the Apple TV.

Bandwidth.png

This is a clip of the traffic while we were streaming video on a recent evening. The top graph is the Airport Extreme and the bottom one is the Airport Express. Both are set to graph the usage in 5 minute intervals.

BTW despite the warnings from Netflix etc about the minimum bandwidth, we successfully stream 1080p Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. with our Apple TV v4 with only a 4Mb/sec (yes bits) download internet connection. We only see poor picture quality and “buffering” when the download slows to more like 2Mb/sec. When that happens we pause the stream and allow the Apple TV to "buffer up". We can see this happen in real time with PeakHour 4's other graphs with 1 sec updates.

GetRealBro
 
Have you tried disabling Quick Start as I mentioned before?
With Quick Start enabled it streams on the fly which can become problematic if there’s a dip in your bandwidth during playback.
Turning off Quick Start downloads enough beforehand into a buffer before it starts playing so as to prevent any issues during playback.
 
Morning all,

My tp-link av600 powerline starter kit arrived this morning. It was an absolute snack to install and setup.

I have the Ookla speed test app installed on my Apple TV. Best speed over WiFi was approx. 35Mbps dropping to around 1Mbps. The speed now is around 45Mbps (we have a 50/20Mbps plan with our ISP). So far so good.

I am now doing some capacity testing to see if this tech fixes the buffering (it was still buffering last night on a WiFi connection).

I'll keep you informed.

Stay safe,
Peter
 
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