New Apple TV 4K remote keeps losing connection

[Canyda]

How do you reboot the remote only?

If your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote isn't working - Apple Support

If your remote isn't working as expected, first try pairing your remote to your Apple TV. If your remote still isn't working as expected, trying restarting your remote, or check your remote signal strength.

support.apple.com

 

[SatchNZ]

I was just on the phone to Apple support as the replacement remote I received three days ago just lost connection again. I was told that Apple engineers are now working on the issue and they believe it is software related. It’s a matter of waiting for an update to come out to address the issue.

It’s a bit frustrating but at least Apple have now acknowledged there is an issue.

 

[MNGR]

The Apple TV is mounted on the back of the tv amongst many cables. Could that be causing the problem?

That’s how I have mine. No issues, no drops. And I have quite s few 2.4 ghz devices

 

[MisterEd]

Been lurking in this thread for a long time, as I was dealing with the same disconnection issues after upgrading to the latest 4K model a couple of months back. The remote would lose connection after anywhere between 2h to a day. Only fix was to reboot the Apple TV. I was getting similar issues with connecting Apple Watch for Fitness+ workouts, which kind of suggested a general Bluetooth issue (also fixed after a reboot).

Anyway, finally bit the bullet and called Apple on this. They eventually told me to “update and erase”, i.e. wipe the thing and start fresh. I rolled my eyes, because it’s such a pain to do, and clearly wouldn’t change anything. But I did it.

Guess what? After more than a week, the thing hasn’t disconnected once. So far, so good. It seems rock solid.

TLDR: if like me you’ve been driven crazy by this issue, try a full erase and update - it seems to have worked for me.

 

[SatchNZ]

Been lurking in this thread for a long time, as I was dealing with the same disconnection issues after upgrading to the latest 4K model a couple of months back. The remote would lose connection after anywhere between 2h to a day. Only fix was to reboot the Apple TV. I was getting similar issues with connecting Apple Watch for Fitness+ workouts, which kind of suggested a general Bluetooth issue (also fixed after a reboot).

Anyway, finally bit the bullet and called Apple on this. They eventually told me to “update and erase”, i.e. wipe the thing and start fresh. I rolled my eyes, because it’s such a pain to do, and clearly wouldn’t change anything. But I did it.

Guess what? After more than a week, the thing hasn’t disconnected once. So far, so good. It seems rock solid.

TLDR: if like me you’ve been driven crazy by this issue, try a full erase and update - it seems to have worked for me.

Thanks for your input, but could you please be a bit more specific about what you mean by a “full erase and update”? I’m assuming you mean to reset to factory settings and then set it up again by logging into the Apple TV with your existing Apple ID and restoring from iCloud?

Given most of us have been experiencing this issue from when we first purchased our 4k 3rd gen Apple TV, we set it up from scratch then, so struggling to understand how your solution would make any difference (and trying to avoid the pain of going through the reset process for no benefit).

Would you also mind posting an update in a weeks time to see if the remote continues to stay connected? Thanks!

 

[MisterEd]

Thanks for your input, but could you please be a bit more specific about what you mean by a “full erase and update”? I’m assuming you mean to reset to factory settings and then set it up again by logging into the Apple TV with your existing Apple ID and restoring from iCloud?

Given most of us have been experiencing this issue from when we first purchased our 4k 3rd gen Apple TV, we set it up from scratch then, so struggling to understand how your solution would make any difference (and trying to avoid the pain of going through the reset process for no benefit).

Would you also mind posting an update in a weeks time to see if the remote continues to stay connected? Thanks!

Sorry, to be more specific I followed the “reset and update” process outlined in apples support page: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202118 - I don’t know if the “update” part matters if you’re already on the latest tvOS version, but figured I’d follow apples suggestion to the letter. I then followed the usual setup process via iPhone (QR code), syncing my Home Screen etc.

As a tech person who’s been troubleshooting tech products for decades, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me either… I usually avoid the factory reset option when it seems irrelevant. But right now it’s looking good… will report back if that changes!

 

[SatchNZ]

Sorry, to be more specific I followed the “reset and update” process outlined in apples support page: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202118 - I don’t know if the “update” part matters if you’re already on the latest tvOS version, but figured I’d follow apples suggestion to the letter. I then followed the usual setup process via iPhone (QR code), syncing my Home Screen etc.

As a tech person who’s been troubleshooting tech products for decades, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me either… I usually avoid the factory reset option when it seems irrelevant. But right now it’s looking good… will report back if that changes!

Thanks for the clarification. Keen to see if the issue continues to stay away in another week. In saying that, Apple have acknowledged the issue and believe it is software related so I’m doubtful.

 

[Panflute.net]

I just got off the phone with Apple and I’m ordering my third remote. I do not have high hopes, but I think we all need to call Apple to bring this situation to their attention. Call Apple please everybody.

 

[SatchNZ]

I just got off the phone with Apple and I’m ordering my third remote. I do not have high hopes, but I think we all need to call Apple to bring this situation to their attention. Call Apple please everybody.

Unfortunately it seems that no number of replacement remotes is going to help.

But I agree that the more people who call Apple, the more they are likely to listen and take action.

 

[MisterEd]

Thanks for the clarification. Keen to see if the issue continues to stay away in another week. In saying that, Apple have acknowledged the issue and believe it is software related so I’m doubtful.

Bad news: After the reset, I had a longer period without issues, but after nearly a week the disconnection happened again 🙁 — sorry for the false hope!

Took the unit straight to the Apple Store where they replaced it (both TV + remote) under warranty. Now just playing the waiting game to see if the new one holds up...

To all of you getting replacement remotes for this issue: I think you're wasting your time. I really think this is an Apple TV bluetooth problem (either software bug or hardware). I was also having intermittent problems connecting my Apple Watch to use with Fitness+ workouts (ALSO resolved immediately after an Apple TV reboot) which reinforces this. I pushed back on the idea of just replacing the remote for that reason.

 

[SatchNZ]

Bad news: After the reset, I had a longer period without issues, but after nearly a week the disconnection happened again 🙁 — sorry for the false hope!

Took the unit straight to the Apple Store where they replaced it (both TV + remote) under warranty. Now just playing the waiting game to see if the new one holds up...

To all of you getting replacement remotes for this issue: I think you're wasting your time. I really think this is an Apple TV bluetooth problem (either software bug or hardware). I was also having intermittent problems connecting my Apple Watch to use with Fitness+ workouts (ALSO resolved immediately after an Apple TV reboot) which reinforces this. I pushed back on the idea of just replacing the remote for that reason.

Thanks for the update. Appreciated.

 

[-Gonzo-]

tvOS 16.3.3 available for download

About Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD software updates - Apple Support

Discover the latest features of tvOS available on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.

support.apple.com

 

[grmlin]

tvOS 16.3.3 available for download
View attachment 2169179

About Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD software updates - Apple Support

Discover the latest features of tvOS available on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.

support.apple.com

Let’s hope they found the bug. Didn’t happen for me in months but still

 

[-Gonzo-]

Let’s hope they found the bug. Didn’t happen for me in months but still

I’ve only had it happen twice which was a pretty consistent months use between each.

 

[Canyda]

It's interesting that the description only notes the ATV4K 3rd generation. I had this happen twice on my second generation (although it hasn't happened in about 2 months now).

 

[jtrue28]

Didn’t fix the issue for me. 😡

 

[kryptticAZ]

Didn’t fix the issue for me. 😡

Seriously?! That sucks.

 

[kristoffer4]

So has the issue been fixed for everyone else? I am seriously considering upgrading soon.

 

[SatchNZ]

So has the issue been fixed for everyone else? I am seriously considering upgrading soon.

So far I’ve not seen the issue again after updating a week ago, and it pretty much disconnected like clockwork every three days for me. I’d hazard a guess that @jtrue28 encountered a different issue.

 

[MisterEd]

So has the issue been fixed for everyone else? I am seriously considering upgrading soon.

Looking good for me so far, I installed the update as soon as it was released and no disconnects until now.

 

[hj8ag]

Looking good to me so far too (touch wood!)

 

[jtrue28]

It happened once after the 16.3.3 update. I haven't seen it happen again, and I've already updated to 16.4. I'll test it out again tonight.

 

[thewarm]

I just installed 16.4.1 on my 2021 ATV4K and now my lightning remote is disconnecting!

 

[chrus8051]

Still happening on 16.4.1 however it's not quite as bad as it was before. I can now "revive" the remote by pressing buttons several times and eventually the remote re-syncs with the Apple TV (no real rhyme or reason just press a bunch of buttons repeatedly). Still very annoying happens every other day or so.

 

[Drzed]

for anyone following this it’s still happening on 17.1! Can’t believe it. Despite getting a new remote sent to me a few notes back. They’re now going to have me send my atv back for “repair”.