It can be frustrating if your Apple TV screen freezes or buffers while streaming your favorite movie or TV show. Screen freezing and buffering are common issues that all Apple TV users face. These are very minor issues that can be fixed using some basic troubleshooting techniques. Some of the main reasons for buffering issues can be poor internet connection, outdated software, and other similar problems.
In this guide, I will show all the possible troubleshooting methods to quickly eliminate the screen freezing or buffering issues on your Apple TV.
Possible Causes for Freezing or Buffering of Apple TV
The freezing issues occur on your Apple TV for varied reasons. When the device tries streaming videos and audio over the internet, it takes time to load because it needs to preload data into a reserved memory space. If you try to stream HD or 4K videos or when the signal goes weak, the video buffers more than expected, leading to the freezing of the device. Some of the most common causes of the freezing issues include,
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- Poor or fluctuating internet connection.
- The software is outdated.
- Insufficient bandwidth to stream the content.
- There is not enough memory space on your device.
- Temporary malfunction of streaming device.
How to Fix Freezing & Buffering on your Apple TV
- Connect Apple TV to stable WIFI.
- Restart your device.
- Factory Reset your Apple TV.
- Remove other devices from the Network.
- Turn Home Sharing OFF, then ON.
- Restore Your Apple TV to Factory settings.
- Free up memory space on Apple TV.
Check your Internet Connection
In most cases, the unstable internet connection will lead to buffering issues on your Apple TV. When your device is subjected to constant buffering issues, then Apple TV starts freezing. To resolve the buffering issues, ensure that it is connected to a stable internet connection.
- For streaming HD content, your internet signal should be 8mpbs or higher.
- For 780p quality, your internet speed should be around 6mbps.
- For standard definition, the speed must be around 2.5mbps.
- For 4K streaming, you need 25mbps.
You can check the internet speed of your network using websites like fast.com. If your internet connection is slow, you can try power cycling your internet router.
Remove Other Devices from the Network
Insufficient bandwidth is another reason for the occurrence of freezing issues. If the device tries to play videos constantly on limited bandwidth, then it makes the Apple TV buffer. You can save your device from buffering by disconnecting any other devices connected to the same network. Also, keep your streaming device closer to the router or modem to obtain better signal strength.
Restart your Device
Restarting your Apple TV is a well-known technique to fix the issue quickly. But unlike other devices, Apple TV does not have a power button to turn off and restart. However, there are three other ways to restart the Apple TV.
Restarting through Settings Menu
1. On your Apple TV, go to Settings and select System.
2. Then, choose Restart.
If you cannot restart your device by navigating to System Settings because of freezing, follow the other techniques.
Restarting with Remote
On your Apple TV Remote, press and hold the Menu and Home buttons until the device flashes a light. On Apple Remove (White or Aluminum), press and hold the Down and Menu buttons until the device flashes a light on the device.
Restart by Unplugging
1. To restart your Apple TV, turn it off and unplug it from the power source.
2. In a few seconds, plug it back in and turn on the device.
Turn Off & On Home Sharing
You can try this hack when your Apple TV freezes on the home-sharing screen.
1. To turn home-sharing off and ON, open iTunes and then go to the File section.
2. Then, select Home Sharing, turn it OFF, and then ON.
3. Lastly, Sign in to your device using your Apple ID account and check for improvements.
Check HDMI Cable & Port
A damaged HDMI cable or port can also cause freezing problems. So check the HDMI cable and ports of your Apple TV and your TV. Follow the steps below to fix HDMI-related issues.
- Ensure the HDMI cable is securely connected to Apple TV and TV.
- Remove the HDMI cable and reconnect it.
- Use a different port on your TV to connect the Apple TV.
- If the cable is damaged, replace the cable.
Uninstall and Reinstall Apps
If you are facing freezing issues with a particular app, it might be due to cache or corrupted files. Since there is no dedicated option to clear cache files of apps on Apple TV, you must uninstall these apps and reinstall them. Here is how to do it.
1. Open Settings on your Apple TV.
2. Click on General and select Manage Storage.
3. Select the trashcan icon next to the app to delete it.
You can also delete the unused apps from the Apple TV to free up some space. Once you have uninstalled the problematic apps, you can reinstall them on your Apple TV from the App Store.
Update Apple TV Firmware
Outdated firmware can also lead to buffering issues on Apple TV; you can easily fix the issue by updating the firmware of your Apple TV. Here is how to do it.
1. Go to Settings on your Apple TV.
2. Then go to System and select Software Updates.
3. Click Update Software to check for available updates.
4. If there are any available updates, click Download and Install.
You can also automatically update the Apple TV firmware by enabling the Automatically Update option.
Update Apps on Apple TV
If you are facing issues with a particular app, you can update the app to fix the free issue. To update the app on Apple TV, follow the steps below.
1. Open the App Store on Apple TV.
2. Search for the app you want to update.
3. Open the app page and click Update.
You can also automatically update the apps on Apple TV from Settings → Apps → Turn On Automatically Update Apps.
Factory Reset Apple TV
If none of these above fixes work, you can try factory resetting your Apple TV. Doing this will fix all software-related issues on your Apple TV. To factory reset your Apple TV, follow the steps below.
1. Go to Apple TV Settings.
2. Go to System and select the Reset option.
3. After selecting Reset,
- Choose Reset & Update if you are using Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD.
- Choose Reset All Settings or Restore if you are using Apple TV’s 3rd generation model.
Once you reset the Apple TV, check if the freezing issues are fixed. If you face the same problems even after resetting, contact Apple Customer Support, who will help you solve the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to restart your frozen Apple TV, you can simply turn off the device and unplug it from the Power source. You can also use your remote to press and hold the Menu & Screen button until the device restarts.
The main reason behind the Buffering issue on Apple TV is a fluctuating or poor internet signal. Insufficient bandwidth or less memory space is another reason for the issue.
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