As an Apple TV owner, I have been frustrated with the issue of it often disconnecting from AirPlay. I have spent countless hours trying to figure out why it keeps happening and how I can fix it. After doing some research and testing, I am here to share my experience and the solutions I have discovered. In this blog post, I will discuss the various causes of why Apple TV keeps disconnecting from AirPlay and how to fix them.
The most common causes of this problem have to do with Wi-Fi instability, poor signals, or interference. Moreover, outdated software and incorrect network settings can also cause these devices to disconnect often.
| Issue | Description | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Unstable Wi-Fi Signals | Unstable Wi-Fi signals can cause disconnections between AirPlay and Apple TV. | Restart your Wi-Fi by turning off the router, unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and turning it on. Reconnect AirPlay to your Apple TV afterward. |
| Wall Interference | Walls between the sending device, Wi-Fi router, and TV can block the signal. | Keep the sending device, Wi-Fi router, and TV in the same room, maintaining a distance of about one foot between the router and other devices. |
| Outdated Device Software | Outdated iOS on your Apple TV and devices may cause connectivity issues. | Update your Apple TV and iOS devices by going to Settings, System, and Software Updates. Enable Automatic Update for future updates. |
| Mismatched Screen Resolutions | Disconnections can occur if the iOS device’s resolution is different from the TV’s, or if high-resolution content is being played back. | Adjust your Apple TV’s display resolution by going to Settings, Video and Audio, and Format. Make the needed adjustments to match your iOS device’s resolution. |
| Unsupported Applications | Some apps are not compatible with AirPlay, causing connection issues. | Look for alternative apps that are compatible with AirPlay. |
| Device Sleep Mode | iOS devices go to sleep when left idle, causing the AirPlay connection to disconnect from Apple TV. | Deactivate sleep mode by accessing the Control Center on your device and tapping the bed icon. |
| Faulty Ethernet Cable | Using a damaged or loose Ethernet cable can cause connection problems between AirPlay and Apple TV. | Ensure the Ethernet cable is tightly connected to the ports and not being pressed on by other objects. If the cable is faulty, replace it with a reliable one. |
Table of Contents
7 Reasons Why Apple TV Keeps Disconnecting from AirPlay and Their Fixes
AirPlay allows people to share videos, music, and photos wirelessly from a host of devices to Apple TVs. This innovation brings convenience to many users.
However, the enjoyment ends when it keeps on disconnecting over and over again. So let’s dig deep and solve this problem.
- You’re Running on Unstable Wi-Fi Signals
For AirPlay to stream media smoothly from an Apple device to your Apple TV, it requires a stable Wi-Fi signal.
So, unstable Wi-Fi may break the connection to AirPlay. Instead, you need a network that provides enough strength for the stream to run uninterrupted.
Restarting and Stabilizing Wi-Fi
To get a stable connection, try restarting your Wi-Fi by turning off the router and pulling it from the power source.
Let it cool down a bit for 30 seconds (to register the router as offline) before plugging it back in and switching it on. Once done, try reconnecting your AirPlay to your Apple TV.
- Wall Interference Is in the Way
If your iPhone is sending data from a different room than your Wi-Fi router and TV, the wall in between could block the signal.
Setting All Devices in Range
To get rid of wall interference, we recommend having the sending device (iPhone, iPad, etc.) in the same room as the TV and the router.
However, placing your iPhone or TV too close to the router can also cause connection problems. A distance of about one foot is good enough in most cases.
- Your Device’s Software Is Outdated
Another reason that might be causing disconnection problems between AirPlay and Apple TV is outdated iOS.
Since iOS is the operating system that runs several Apple products, such as iPhones, iPads, and iPods, you can expect more trouble than just connectivity issues.
Keeping Up With Software Updates
Updating your Apple TV and iOS devices is pretty much the same. Just go to Settings, then press System. Then, go to Software Updates and get those downloads started.
To cut the hassle in the future, you can automate the process by turning on Automatic Update.
- Your iOS Device’s Resolution Is Different From the TV’s
If your iOS device’s resolution is different from the TV’s, chances are AirPlay won’t run properly.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that attempting to playback content with high resolution might also result in disconnection problems.
Matching the Screen Formats
Read more: Apple TV color balance not working
To adjust and reduce your Apple TV’s display resolution, just go to Settings. From there, choose Video and Audio, and then choose Format to make the needed adjustments.
- You’re Using an Application That Isn’t AirPlay-Compatible
Although AirPlay caters to a wide range of apps, it’s not universal. So, trying to send media through an unsupported app will only result in connection issues.
Working Around Unsupported Apps
There isn’t much that you can do here but look for an alternative app that is compatible with AirPlay. Odds are, you’ll find something else to keep you entertained!
- Your Device Is on Sleep Mode
Usually, iOS devices go to sleep when they are left idle for a certain period.
Streaming videos, images, and audio from a device that went into sleep mode will also cause the AirPlay to disconnect from Apple TV abruptly.
Deactivating Sleep Mode
Read more: Apple TV not responding to remote
To make sure you’ll enjoy uninterrupted viewing, you can deactivate your device’s sleep mode altogether.
You can turn it off by accessing the Control Center and tapping the bed icon.
- You’re Using a Faulty Ethernet Cable
Apple TV also functions using an Ethernet cable. This hard-wired setup is said to be more stable than a wireless connection. However, damaged and loose cables can backfire.
Resolving Ethernet Connectivity Issues
To reduce cable problems, make sure that both ends are connected tightly to the ports and that nothing is pressing on the wire.
Meanwhile, if the cable itself is faulty, you’ll need to replace it with a reliable one.
Final Thoughts
So there it is—the most common reasons why Apple TV keeps disconnecting from AirPlay.
Like you, many users have experienced this problem. However, we’ve seen that fixing this doesn’t require super advanced know-how.
For example, rebooting your router or moving all your devices to one room doesn’t really require a trained technician to execute. The same goes for updating the software or getting a new cable.
With some tips and tricks, you’ll resolve the connection glitches between Apple TVs and AirPlay and enjoy your seamless playback!
