Apple TV names appending numbers randomly

[DarkHeraldMage]

Has anyone else seen their Apple TVs randomly adding numbers at the end of their names? It's specifically when trying to Airplay something to them, we have 4 in our home and they are all uniquely named to avoid confusion, yet they still get numbers added to them that seem to have no rhyme or reason.

Attached is a picture that shows what I'm talking about, but the numbers aren't set in stone by any means. If I were to try and Airplay something again the numbers would undoubtedly change, and sometimes drop off completely. This has happened for a long time across multiple generations, and it's not just my phone that sees them, any other device that views them shows the same odd behavior.

Ideas on what causes this or how to fix it? Thanks.

P.S. - Upon uploading this picture my OCD senses are tingling because I just noticed the Living Room device is the only one weithout "Apple TV" in the name and now I have to fix it. lol

 

[waw74]

appletv adding numbers

 

[DarkHeraldMage]

appletv adding numbers

Yeah, none of those have a definitive answer about what causes it, or how to fix it permanently. Bounjour seems a consistent theory, but the Apple Discussions thread with the most replies started over 3 years ago. I've seen it discussed before, but never here (that I can find when searching) and never with a clear solution.

 

[AZhappyjack]

There are a number of threads about this issue with respect to Macs... but yours is the first I've seen where it's affecting AppleTV devices. And, unfortunately, there hasn't been much information in the way of a solution.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/os-x-keeps-appending-2-to-computer-name.1804719/

 

[DarkHeraldMage]

There are a number of threads about this issue with respect to Macs... but yours is the first I've seen where it's affecting AppleTV devices. And, unfortunately, there hasn't been much information in the way of a solution.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/os-x-keeps-appending-2-to-computer-name.1804719/

I've seen it on my own macs over the years as well, always under Sharing. I'm not sure what causes it other than probably just unexpected reboots that keep the name on the network longer than expected, causing duplicates. But I can always fix those when they crop up. This is just bizarre on the Apple TVs, especially since they never restart, and especially not in the increments shown. haha

 

[matrix07]

Yeah, none of those have a definitive answer about what causes it, or how to fix it permanently. Bounjour seems a consistent theory, but the Apple Discussions thread with the most replies started over 3 years ago. I've seen it discussed before, but never here (that I can find when searching) and never with a clear solution.

As far as I can tell, the number began occurring on my ATV *after* Mavericks and iOS 7. Not sure what's happening but it looks very amateurish.

 

[Mlrollin91]

I no longer have the issue with my MBA or iMac, but for whatever reason now have the issue with both of my Apple TVs. Makes no sense to me.

 

[Mockenrue]

I've seen the number go as high as 1,000+ on my ATV 4, then it might go back to single digits the next day. I just hope it's not filling up router tables with a thousand different device profiles.

 

[priitv8]

I've seen the number go as high as 1,000+ on my ATV 4, then it might go back to single digits the next day. I just hope it's not filling up router tables with a thousand different device profiles.

I don't believe Bonjour names are handled in routers. This is a mDNSResponder problem.
I had it with my aTV4 but since upgrading to tvOS 9.1 I dont't see the numbers any more.