When it comes to streaming, Apple TV is one of the most reliable devices in the market today. Over the years, the services and features that they offer have only gotten better.
However, that still doesn’t exempt them from having a couple of small flaws here and there.
One of the most common issues that Apple TV users have had to face is constantly resetting their devices. This type of problem can easily cause frustration to a user and keep them from a much more enjoyable experience.
If you’re scratching your head wondering “why do I have to keep resetting my Apple TV?” don’t worry.
In this article, we take a look at the most common reasons why you keep needing to reset your Apple TV. Hopefully, it’ll help you find a more permanent solution for a much better watching experience.
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Resetting Apple TV
When your Apple TV is experiencing problems such as the screen freezing or connection keeps getting lost, restarting your device might be the best move. However, there are some cases where a full reset is necessary to put your Apple TV back to its factory settings.
When you reset your Apple TV, all data and configurations stored on your device will be wiped clean. In other words, all your accounts, watching history, as well as other data will be permanently removed.
You can understand why plenty of users feel irritated at having to reset and reprogram their Apple TVs constantly because of a single issue they can’t seem to pinpoint.
Why Do I Have to Keep Resetting My Apple TV?
There are several reasons why you need to keep resetting your Apple TV. Below are the most common problems your Apple TV might be facing:
Overheating
Although Apple TVs are designed to not experience this type of issue, it’s not unheard of. Especially if you live in an area where the climate is warmer or if you’ve placed your Apple TV on top of an item that easily generates heat, overheating can become a problem.
To regain optimal operating temperatures, your Apple TV may ask you to reset your device. In some cases, it may even restart on its own.
Network Failure/Interruption
A router connects your Apple TV to the internet using radio frequencies. Devices and appliances that use the same signals can interrupt the connection to your Apple TV, which can trigger the need to restart or reset your device.
Outdated tvOS and Software
If you’re using one of the older Apple TV models, the issue might be in your tvOs and software. Apple constantly updates its software to provide its users with a much more convenient and memorable experience. However, there is a certain threshold wherein devices can no longer update their settings to the latest available versions.
This can cause some bugs to remain unresolved by developers and many other issues, including a reset loop.
Faulty HDMI Cables
Some users report having a video with no audio or audio with no video. And while restarting your device or resetting it might be the most obvious answer, it might not always be the case. Faulty HDMI cables can also cause this problem, which is why it’s always smart to double-check your wires before doing anything drastic, like resetting your device.
Fixing Common Apple TV Issues
Now that we’ve gotten the common issues out of the way, let’s look at some of the ways you can fix them without needing to reset the device entirely.
How to Fix Issues of Overheating
This is possibly the quickest fix for issues related to the Apple TV. All Apple TV versions have a fan installed for air cooling and slots for ventilation.
So, overheating is normally not an issue you need to be concerned about. However, if you notice that your Apple TV is hotter than usual, it may be time to take action.
The first thing you can do is remove any items or devices that may block ventilation on your Apple TV.
Furthermore, elevate the device so that the slots underneath have more space to breathe and release air.
Avoid placing your Apple TV on devices that get hot easily e.g., speakers, DVD players, and other appliances.
If you’re someone who watches movies on your Apple TV frequently, it might serve you well if you lay off the movie watching for a while.
How to Fix Network Problems
WiFi problems are one of the most common problems users face with the Apple TV. These include situations like:
- Being frequently disconnected from the internet
- Constant buffering
- Being unable to join the home network
- The home network being undetectable
These issues may mean that your Apple TV is too far from your WiFi router and doesn’t require you to reset your Apple TV. Move your Apple TV to an area that’s closer to your router. If not, consider getting a WiFi extension from your internet provider or other stores online.
How to Fix Outdated tvOS or Software
Unfortunately for those who own the first and second-generation Apple TV, your devices may no longer be able to support the recent Apple upgrades.
However, if you currently own an Apple TV third generation or up, then you can perform the following steps to upgrade your tvOS and software:
For Apple TV Third Generation
Step 1: Open “Settings” on your Apple TV and go to “General.”
Step 2: Once there, look for “Software Updates” and select “Update Software” if available.
Step 3: Wait until your Apple TV is finished downloading the update. Don’t interrupt or disconnect your Apple TV until the process is complete.
For Apple TV 4K
Step 1: Open “Settings” and look for “System” in the popup menu.
Step 2: Click “Software Updates” then select “Update Software” to download and install available upgrades.
Step 3: Wait for the download to finish before performing any other tasks on the Apple TV.
After the download is finished, your Apple TV will restart to prepare for the update. Once it reboots it will automatically install the update. Your Apple TV will make a final restart, when the update is finally finished.
Now you’re free to watch all the movies you want again!
How to Fix Video Problems
Most video problems aren’t so serious that they require you to reset your whole Apple TV device. You can restart the stream, and that would normally solve the issue. To restart the stream, just press Home, then go back to the application you were streaming your movie on.
If the issue doesn’t go away, it might have something to do with your HDMI cable. Check to see if you’ve plugged it in properly on both ends, including your TV. Often, people only plug their HDMI cables halfway into the port.
If none of these two fixes work, it might be a hardware issue and you’ll need to bring your Apple TV to the nearest Apple Service Center.
How to Fix Audio Problems
Audio problems are much like video problems — they may be related to your internet connection. To solve this, restart the stream by pressing “Home” and going back to the application you were using before. If this doesn’t work, then it might have something to do with your HDMI cord or optical cable (if you’re using one).
Double-check all your wiring and connections. And if you’re using a soundbar or audio receiver, you should also check to see if all the connections on those devices are intact. Furthermore, don’t forget to check your volume settings, to make sure you didn’t just forget to turn it up while watching.
If none of those work, it might be time to visit the service center.
How to Fix Frozen Screens on Apple TV
Meanwhile, if you have an application or feature on your Apple TV that has stopped responding, you can also force closing the app or the movie to solve the issue.
This option doesn’t require you to reset your Apple TV entirely.
To force close an app:
Step 1: Double click the “Home” button on your Siri Remote
Step 2: Select the app again
You can replicate this process as needed with other apps that freeze or lag. Netflix and Hulu are notorious for freezing and lagging on Apple TV.
Final Thoughts
Constantly needing to reset your Apple TV device can be great pain, to say the least.
Figuring out how to permanently fix an issue is the only way to avoid having to regularly log into your accounts in a loop.
If you’re sick of resetting your Apple TV over and over, then the fixes we provided above should be able to help.
Otherwise, it may be time to see an Apple technician to help you pinpoint the issue and assist you in finding a solution.
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.