Have been using my Apple TV 4K flawlessly since I bought it in January. Last night it downloaded the latest software update and today it had audio dropouts watching Foundation.My AT4K is connected to a Yamaha 683 receiver thats connected to a Sony A8F Oled tv. Never had this issue before the software update so it must be the update. Anyone else have this issue and is there a way to fix this? thanks
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Audio dropouts after Apple TV 4K software update
- Thread starter mattg3
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I have had the 1st Gen 4k for more than 2 years and have not experienced this issue with any version of tvOS and I updated to 15.4.1 as soon as it was available.
I have the latest ATV 4K running the latest beta software and am experiencing no dropouts. I am using WiFi that measures 200+Mbps.
We're having the same issue, but only with Netflix so far. ATV4k (2nd Gen) and Yamaha RX-V581 receiver. Hardwired connection on a 300Mbps cable internet line, which speedtests at that rate or better.
Since most recent update, Netflix audio cuts out randomly, lasting anywhere from 2-30 seconds. Video continues to play without loss in picture quality.
But haven't had cutouts in any other app we've used, including Youtube, Youtube TV, and Masters app.
*edit* After some research on Apple Discussion boards, this may be a recurring ATV Atmos issue that has been discussed there - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253168177 and https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253788821?answerId=257109262022#257109262022
I'll try disabling Atmos later this evening to see if that resolves the issue for now.
Since most recent update, Netflix audio cuts out randomly, lasting anywhere from 2-30 seconds. Video continues to play without loss in picture quality.
But haven't had cutouts in any other app we've used, including Youtube, Youtube TV, and Masters app.
*edit* After some research on Apple Discussion boards, this may be a recurring ATV Atmos issue that has been discussed there - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253168177 and https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253788821?answerId=257109262022#257109262022
I'll try disabling Atmos later this evening to see if that resolves the issue for now.
Last edited:
I have been having this issue with my 4k for months. For me, audio will just stop working usually when pausing or re-starting media. Sometimes I can get it working again by toggling back to the Home Screen but usually I have to restart the whole unit. Someone suggested changing the audio output settings to stereo, so I am giving that a try.
I've have been having this issue with Netflix and it's super annoying. Same specs, ATV4k (2nd gen), hard-wired to my LAN, 500Mbps symmetrical internet, high-quality 18gbps certified HDMI cables throughout. The same setup worked fine with the first-gen ATV 4k, and for months with the newer one and suddenly it's an issue as of about a month ago. Rebooting usually fixes it for a few hours, but it comes back. I hope they fix it soon, but in the meantime I will try disabling Atmos.
Well I disabled atmos for dolby 5.1 and dropouts went away. Before the latest 15.4.1 software update I had no issues playing Dolby Atmos in Netflix and Apple TV+ for three months so it definitely was the software update that killed Atmos playback. I can live with dolby 5.1 but hopefully apple will come up with a fix for this Atmos audio dropout glitch.
Fwiw, I had the dropout issues before 15.4.1. Mine started about a month ago, maybe it was 15.4? Also, the only app that has this issue for me is Netflix. Infuse and AppleTV+, both of which have Atmos, still work fine. So right now I am blaming Netflix more than Apple.
I don’t have any audio issues with 15.4.1, but the audio is now a bit louder. A previous update made it less loud, so this put it back to where it was before. However, 15.4.1 really screwed up the Hulu Live TV app. I suddenly have a lot more freezing of live playback and the TV guide is totally messed up. I’m not sure if it broke something in the Hulu pre-existing app code, or whether Hulu broke something with one of their updates. But it started immediately after doing the 15.4.1 update a few days ago. BTW, Hulu Live TV runs fine on my Sony Bravia with AndroidTV and my Fire TV Cube.
Thank you for posting the links here. I've read through the first one and can confirm some of the observations made there. I've had the Netflix-Atmos-Drop Out issues for month. It definitely didn't just start with 15.4.1. Some people have that issue since the end of last year! Sure disabling Atmos "fixes" the issue, but then you don't have Atmos anymore, so that's not really a fix in my book.
What "fixed" it for me was going back to my AppleTV 4K Gen1. No more Drop-Outs. App-Version and TVOS-Version are identical. So this seems to be some issue with the AppleTV 4K Gen2, which some people on on the Apple-Forums-Links posted by @mr.economy have also confirmed.
We've got 7 ATV's (5 4k Gen 1, 2 HD). Use 2 daily and the rest weekly/monthly. None seem to have audio problems except the one in our living room. It has been experiencing audio dropouts that seem to mostly occur when entering an app or changing to a different episode within an app.
Usually backing out to the home screen fixes it but not always. Sometimes switching the TV (Sony) from external audio system (Anthem + Paradigm speakers) to internal fixes it and then going back to external it stays fixed.
We also have an issue with this particular ATV needing to be power booted. About every 2 weeks when we turn the living room system on (using C4 remote) there is no feed from the ATV so I have to reach behind the TV to unplug/replug and then it appears.
I'm wondering if this one is just bad hardware.
Usually backing out to the home screen fixes it but not always. Sometimes switching the TV (Sony) from external audio system (Anthem + Paradigm speakers) to internal fixes it and then going back to external it stays fixed.
We also have an issue with this particular ATV needing to be power booted. About every 2 weeks when we turn the living room system on (using C4 remote) there is no feed from the ATV so I have to reach behind the TV to unplug/replug and then it appears.
I'm wondering if this one is just bad hardware.
Hi, I can see there are various comments on this thread I could have responded to but this one seems to capture my issues.
So, I have recently purchased an Apple TV 4K and it is connected to my home cinema set up, specifically HDMI (Chord C-view) direct to Denon 4700 amp and Ethernet connected to network. Purchased the Apple TV specifically to be able to view Dolby Atmos content via my 5.1.4 set up. Issue I have is chopping/ crackling and cut out when viewing Atmos enabled movies in Netflix. Note this doesn’t happen in any of the other apps such as Disney Plus where the Atmos content works fine. I have spent most of this morning searching round the internet on this. There’s a bit on Apple community but I can’t see any evident to suggest Apple have acknowledged this as a problem and are working on it. Some of the fixes suggested on forums refer to disabling Atmos but that defeats the object given I purchased the Apple box to get the Atmos experience.
Same thing here, lots of people on the Sonos forums/Reddit blaming Sonos update 14.6 so not sure what is to blame, but it’s cutting out my surrounds and then effecting non-AppleTV services and requiring a power cycle to resolve. Difference for me is I’m not using e-arc features as on an older Tv that doesn’t support Atmos; so everything is already Dolby + …. And so this fix you’ve discovered doesn’t work for me. Hopefully either Sonos or Apple pin it down.
I think there is a widespread Atmos issue on AppleTV. It seems to be getting more press attention lately, so hopefully Apple fixes it soon. https://www.macrumors.com/2022/05/06/apple-tv-dolby-atmos-audio-issues/
@mr.economy @mattg3 @oneMadRssn @Supergooner @willhowe Someone at AVSForum suggested it could be the ethernet connection, and I just stumbled into this thread and some of you say they're hardwired, whereas the other person not having issues with the 2021 ATV 4K says they're using WiFi. Could you test with WiFi? On my end, it seems to be working, if you look further down on that AVS thread.
Well, I am having this issue as well. I had no problems with Netflix until I updated to 15.5.1. Now I am watching season four of stranger things and the audio dropouts happen every few minutes. The only way I can fix the issue is to let it run and maybe the audio will come back or is to rewind 10 seconds and let it play and it will play with sound. But it is super annoying and I have not had this issue until updating to 15.5.1.
I guess there is no way to revert back to the prior version of the operating system but this is truly annoying.
I guess there is no way to revert back to the prior version of the operating system but this is truly annoying.
I've been following the AVS Apple TV thread for a few months now and I just found this thread today because I was curious about what people were saying about the problem in different locations. Anyway, I haven't had Atmos issues and I'm hard wired. I don't use Netflix currently, but have used other sources of Atmos and haven't had any complaints. I have a 1st and 2nd Gen 4K Apple TV, plus an Apple TV HD (which I just retired.)
When I had Netflix active on my 1st Gen 4K ATV, I never had issues. However, most people say this specific to the 2nd Gen 4K. In June, I'll Pay for a month of Netflix to see if I can give feedback. I canceled because of the cost and lack of content I was interested in that I hadn't already watched several times. I think Disney+ and Paramount+ are much better values for me personally as they have a lot of the stuff I like to watch. Neither of them have given me any issues on the ATV.
When I had Netflix active on my 1st Gen 4K ATV, I never had issues. However, most people say this specific to the 2nd Gen 4K. In June, I'll Pay for a month of Netflix to see if I can give feedback. I canceled because of the cost and lack of content I was interested in that I hadn't already watched several times. I think Disney+ and Paramount+ are much better values for me personally as they have a lot of the stuff I like to watch. Neither of them have given me any issues on the ATV.
I turned off Dolby Atmos in the audio settings last evening and it solved the problem. No dropouts for the last 4 episodes of Stranger Things 4, part 1. I’m not sure why going on wifi would solve the issue but I may try it today. Also,
I have not tried a show with Dolby Atmos from a service other than Netflix Stranger Things 4, pt. 1 are 7 long episodes (loved that BTW), and I will do that today as well.
For me, Netflix has the best 4k programming. The picture always looks outstanding and I have watched 1000s of hours of enjoyable programming. Unless something drastically changes I will never drop Netflix. I love the binge model versus weekly releases, although I fear that may be changing soon. Paramount+ doesn’t have much for me although I really liked Halo. The Star Trek series that is now in season 4 or 5 didn’t really hold my attention - it felt too much like network TV to me. I have not yet tried ST: New Worlds. Disney+ of course has Star Wars and Marvel, but not much else for me. Apple TV+ actually has the best value as far as diversified quality programming. I am a huge fan of See, Slow Horses, etc.
I have not tried a show with Dolby Atmos from a service other than Netflix Stranger Things 4, pt. 1 are 7 long episodes (loved that BTW), and I will do that today as well.
For me, Netflix has the best 4k programming. The picture always looks outstanding and I have watched 1000s of hours of enjoyable programming. Unless something drastically changes I will never drop Netflix. I love the binge model versus weekly releases, although I fear that may be changing soon. Paramount+ doesn’t have much for me although I really liked Halo. The Star Trek series that is now in season 4 or 5 didn’t really hold my attention - it felt too much like network TV to me. I have not yet tried ST: New Worlds. Disney+ of course has Star Wars and Marvel, but not much else for me. Apple TV+ actually has the best value as far as diversified quality programming. I am a huge fan of See, Slow Horses, etc.
Thanks, I will try that but I “shouldn’t” have to do that with a streaming device that’s as expensive as the ATV 4K is. Nor should I have to turn off Dolby audio to avoid dropouts. I would do a rest of my ATV but that is such a hassle and probably wouldn’t work anyway.
It appears to only be happening with Netflix. I watched Disney+ and I had no issues with Atmos or DV.
I don’t know if it’s related, but I tried to Watch Ghost in the Shell_2045 on Netflix which shows as being in both DV and HD but I could only get HD to play via the ATV 4K Netflix app. I am, of course, on the 4K plan. I will test via the stand alone app in a bit.
It sure seems as if the latest ATV update has broken Netflix.
I don’t know if it’s related, but I tried to Watch Ghost in the Shell_2045 on Netflix which shows as being in both DV and HD but I could only get HD to play via the ATV 4K Netflix app. I am, of course, on the 4K plan. I will test via the stand alone app in a bit.
It sure seems as if the latest ATV update has broken Netflix.
Was trying to watch stranger things on NF last night. Atmos was so bad that i had to use the shield. This apple tv was still on 15.4.1
On edit: updated to 15.5.1 and now plays without incident.
On second edit. Such BS i had to go back to the nvidia shield to actually play this without atmos kickup.
Last edited: