Second and Third-Generation Apple TV Models Not Working for Some Users

[GeneralChang]

Me and my basement full of perfectly functional and remarkably well supported old Apple hardware are really confused by all the "planned obsolescence" posts on here... I mean, I've never once upgraded because I had to, only because I wanted to.

But hey, my G3 iMac power supply finally kicked the bucket a few weeks back so... guess Apple wants me to upgrade to a G4?

 

[kcamfork]

I can see my future.... my 74 year old mother sending me emails, messages and calling on the phone because her Apple TV isn't working. Where has her Netflix gone?

I'm surprised I already haven't gotten those from my 59 year old mother...

 

[LiveM]

Apple's solution... Buy a new just like you have to buy a new computer to run iOS 10

Want.

 

[leroypants]

"It just works"...Apple

 

[Stuke]

Lately, Apple devices with their software releases can be summed up in two words:

Quality Assurance

Seconded. There is much less. It has to be given the turnover cycle of product releases (software/hardware). And the world of "beta testing" is just a blantant sign that QA is so little valued. Wait until the dollars slow down. Look at the latest iOS penetration numbers. It has begun!

 

[Mactendo]

Your Apple TV has expired. Please purchase a fresh one. Thank you for being our loyal customer.

 

[77apples]

I'm having the same issue, it all started last night when an airplane flew way too low over my home in Downey, Shook my house and then the Apple TV clicked and only the computer icon and settings showed up. I've been trying to figure it out off and on.
I've love my apple tv, I'm not going to buy a new one, This sucks. I'll have to actually start using the amazon fire stick now.

Come on Apple please don't stick it to us like this.

 

[bretm]

Thought i was losing my mind...trying to input my Apple ID in my 3rd gen and it was an endless two factor authentication loop with only 'Computer' and 'Settings' showing, even after a restart and full restore.

TBH, no great loss as I just bought a Fire TV stick for $39 which supports 4K, and is just all around far more capable (has PlayStation Vue app too) than even the new Apple TV.

So how does the stick do with Disney Infinity?

 

[Johnny907]

Very interesting. My 3rd-gen has never given me a single problem, was watching Netflix on it just last night. Nice to know that Apple is working on a solution and not hanging owners of these older products out to dry already.

Yeah, a solution to a problem they caused. What gems Apple management are. :rolls eyes:
[doublepost=1478126743][/doublepost]

So how does the stick do with Disney Infinity?

You mean the service that's shutting down in a couple months? Who cares.

 

[Boyd01]

Have had two Apple TV3's for over two years and naver saw this problem. They are both still working fine with all the icons on the home screen. But I use mine exclusively with a large local library on a Mac Mini iTunes server (my Verizon DSL connection is so slow that streaming is just an exercise in frustration). The Mini and AppleTV's are all hardwired on ethernet.

The only time I've seen a home screen like the one in the article is when my internet connection goes out. When that happens, nothing works… I can't even watch the DVD's I've ripped myself.

 

[Wayfarer]

It just works! TM

Bwahahaha! Thanks for bringing back that one I haven't heard in a while. Courageous!

 

[Sandybox]

"Can't innovate?"......Maybe it should be "Can't write robust, stable code, what an ass"

 

[ddantzler]

If Apple hasn't released a fix, you can do the following:

1) Restore the Apple TV. Enable your Personal Hotspot on your phone.
2) During initial setup, pair the Apple TV to your Hotspot.
3) You will notice that it's working properly.
4) Go to Settings and Network and pair to your preferred network.

You should be in good shape.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Seriously though, everyone should just get gen 4, it's not even a close comparison.

Hi Phil.

 

[Tech198]

Finally... I gathered it was just DNS issues or something affecting only the device..

I had same issue yesterday on mine, but within 10 mins it was ok....

Although i think it's probably the same issue, there are no "Settings". Only music and Computers.. and restarting didn't help...

(ya, like i'm actually gonna restore it time and time again ) What are u nuts ?

 

[scuac]

We finally switched to the 4th gen after getting fedup with the constant random reboots on our 2nd gen. I don't get the hate on the 4th gen, so far it has been amazing. Responsive, smooth playing, and not a single glitch so far. Lack of 4k is a niche problem, vast majority of people don't have 4k tvs yet.

 

[Jglaser]

[

 

[ParanoidDroid]

Apple lowered Apple TV 4th gen prices in the U.S. but totally "forgot" about Europe.

$149 BUT €179 for the 32GB

Sorry, but that's SCAM! Unless Apple fixes EU prices, I'm not upgrading!

 

[Jglaser]

This exact same thing happened to me yesterday. I took it in today and Apple said that it was a "HARDWARE" issue. The device wouldn't even download from iTunes to restore itself. I have a hard time believing that the hardware is the issue if this is happening to multiple people all within the same time frame. I ended up buying a new Apple TV but wasn't happy about it.

 

[TsMkLg068426]

Hey Apple maybe you should add Apple Music and other apps for 3rd GEN ATV users instead of forcing us to get 4th GEN that does not support 4K, DTS-HD and Dolby Atmos streaming.

 

[0388631]

I'm having the same issue, it all started last night when an airplane flew way too low over my home in Downey, Shook my house and then the Apple TV clicked and only the computer icon and settings showed up. I've been trying to figure it out off and on.
I've love my apple tv, I'm not going to buy a new one, This sucks. I'll have to actually start using the amazon fire stick now.

Come on Apple please don't stick it to us like this.

Those damned radio jamming dusting plane thingamajigs, I tell 'ya!

 

[TsMkLg068426]

Thats what happens when you appoint a idiot like Tim Cook to run Apple more like run Apple to the ground.

 

[robeddie]

Yet another example of why it would be nice to have a bit more control over the software on Apple devices... You could revert back to working versions.

Bingo. They basically have you roped in once you upgrade. Why not make it easy to downgrade?
[doublepost=1478140042][/doublepost]

Me and my basement full of perfectly functional and remarkably well supported old Apple hardware are really confused by all the "planned obsolescence" posts on here... I mean, I've never once upgraded because I had to, only because I wanted to.

But hey, my G3 iMac power supply finally kicked the bucket a few weeks back so... guess Apple wants me to upgrade to a G4?

I see. So since your handful of Apple products have done alright, no one else's complaints here are valid. I see you're quite a student of science and statisitics there buddy.
[doublepost=1478140293][/doublepost]

Seriously though, everyone should just get gen 4, it's not even a close comparison.

Agreed. There is no comparison: Since the gen 4 is clearly the worst interface and remote of any apple tv yet. Why waste time with what halfway decent stuff apple used to give you when you can get the very worst they have to offer now.

 

[MacOG728893]

When I try all my remedies (pretty competent in tech) and nothing works, I usually know there's a greater issue. ATV4 working just fine when the ATV3 took a crap when I was watching Netflix.
[doublepost=1478141530][/doublepost]

If Apple hasn't released a fix, you can do the following:

1) Restore the Apple TV. Enable your Personal Hotspot on your phone.
2) During initial setup, pair the Apple TV to your Hotspot.
3) You will notice that it's working properly.
4) Go to Settings and Network and pair to your preferred network.

You should be in good shape.

Only thing I could not try. It would not establish a connection to my phone. Always says the PW is wrong. Something is going wrong on Apple's end for sure. The Genius who said it was a hardware issue and made the customer buy a new one, shame on you!

**Can confirm that silent update from Apple after I came home from work resolved the issue!

 

[tech-52]

Some second and third-generation Apple TV owners have started experiencing a mysterious bug over the last few days, which seems to have essentially disabled the device for a number of users. Affected Apple TV models are only able to display Computers, Music, and Settings, with no other channel options available.

Customers who are seeing the issue have had all of their menu options suddenly disappear, leaving them unable to watch Netflix, Hulu, and other Apple TV channels.

Image via MacRumors reader Gabbisonn​

This seems to be a bug that's been around for awhile, but has become more prevalent over the last day or two. MacRumors has received several complaints via email, and there are threads outlining the problem both on our forums and on Reddit.

Restarting the Apple TV, resetting a router, and resetting the Apple TV don't seem to work. A region change offers a temporary solution, but ultimately, the channels disappear again for many users. Some users have partially fixed the issue by changing DNS settings, but this doesn't work for all users. A MacRumors reader describes the problem:Not all Apple TV users are affected by the issue, but it appears to be fairly widespread. Only the Apple TV 2 and 3 are impacted -- the fourth-generation Apple TV is functioning fine.

Apple's support staff told a Reddit user that a fix was in the works, and to expect a software update in the near future. A MacRumors reader received similar information, with Apple suggesting a fix would be pushed within the next few hours.

Article Link: Second and Third-Generation Apple TV Models Not Working for Some Users

[doublepost=1478142434][/doublepost]I fixed this by reselecting USA as the region in settings.