Apple TV app not working can be an annoying issue, especially after some time of back and forth trying to get it to function.
Luckily, troubleshooting this issue is relatively easy, even if you’re not the most tech-savvy person. All you need is an idea of the potential causes and their fixes.
Your Apple TV app isn’t working because your Internet connection isn’t stable, you haven’t updated it in a while, haven’t renewed your subscription, or there isn’t enough storage left. If none of that seems to be the problem, try restarting your device, resetting the app, or reinstalling it.
In this article, I will explain the possible reasons for your Apple TV app not working and give you easy and reliable fixes to resolve the issue quickly.
Why Your Apple TV App Is Not Working
There are several potential explanations for why your apple TV app isn’t working:
Your Internet Connection Is Not Stable
The first thing to check when your Apple TV app is not working is your Internet connection.
The Apple app is pretty demanding in terms of internet speed: 4k streaming requires at least 25 Mbps, while HD streaming requires 5Mbps.
If your internet connection isn’t up to this standard, it’s likely the reason your Apple TV app won’t work.
You Aren’t on the Latest Version of the App
Another problem could be that you haven’t updated your Apple TV app in a while.
Like all other apps, the Apple TV app isn’t immune to bugs.
Bugs can manifest in different ways, but the most common way they rear their ugly head is by causing your Apple TV app to crash or fail to launch.
If your app won’t launch or keeps crashing, you’re likely overdue on an update.
Your Subscription Hasn’t Been Renewed
Before trying fixes for technical issues, make sure your subscription is active. Missing a payment can cause your app to stop working.
Apple usually charges you automatically every month, so you don’t have to remember the due date and worry about missing it.
However, payments sometimes fail to go through for all kinds of reasons (e.g, using the wrong card number, reaching your limit, etc).
That’s why it’s worth checking if you’ve missed any notifications regarding your Apple TV subscription and whether it has been renewed this month.
Your Device Is Running Out of Space
Finally, you could be experiencing problems with your Apple TV app if there isn’t enough storage space left on your device.
Luckily, this is easy to check: simply go to your device’s settings and check how much memory is available.
Alternatively, check whether you missed any notifications regarding low storage.
The issue could also be that too much cache data has been gathered and needs to be cleaned manually, so be sure to check that too.
5 Easy Fixes for Apple TV App Not Working
There are several ways to get your Apple TV up and running depending on what’s stopping it from working:
1. Fix Your Internet Connection
Ensuring that you have a strong WiFi connection is the first step.
The best way to go about this is to run a speed test to see if your internet connection is up to standard.
There are several free online services you can use to get an accurate reading of your internet speed, but I highly recommend Fast.com. It’s easy to use, free, and super accurate.
If your internet connection is slightly below Apple TV’s speed requirements, try the following:
- Reboot your router. Turn it off and on, or unplug it and plug it back in to restart the connection.
- Move the router closer to your device. Sometimes, obstacles and barriers (such as walls and furniture) block the signal and make it too weak for the Apple TV app to work properly. Try moving the router closer and check the connection again.
If these two steps don’t fix the connection, get in touch with your internet service provider and see what they can do to bump up the speed.
2. Update Apple TV App to the Latest Version
If the issue is a missed update, the fix is as easy as updating to the latest version.
Typically, Apply TV app updates are installed automatically. But if you’ve disabled that function, you’ll need to check for an update manually.
Here’s how to do that:
- Go to App Store.
- Search for the Apple TV app.
- Select the app and update it if a new version is available.
Tip: To avoid running into issues in the future, consider turning automatic updates on.
3. Restart Your Device
Sometimes, app glitches can be fixed by rebooting the device.
The process can be a little different depending on what TV or console model you’re using, but it is pretty straightforward.
To give you an example, here’s how to restart an Apple TV:
- Using Settings: Go to Settings, choose System, then click Restart.
- Using the remote: This involves pressing three buttons, namely the TV, Menu, and Back ones. Keep all three pressed for a few seconds.
- Manually: Unplug the TV, wait for a few seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on.
By the way, did you know that you can connect your Smart TVs to get the most out of their functionality? If not, you can read more about this great feature here.
4. Reinstall Apple TV App
The Apple TV app offers a reset option that can help resolve crashes.
The main caveat to this route is that you lose all Apple TV data from the current device.
Also, you will have to log in to your account all over again, so make sure you remember your login and password before trying this.
To reset your Apple TV app, follow these steps:
- Open the Apple TV app.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Reset.
If the reset doesn’t solve your problem, try reinstalling the app for a complete reboot. Here’s how to do that:
- Search for Apple TV from the list of apps installed on your device.
- Delete the app. The process is different depending on the device you’re using. On Apple TV, press and hold the clickpad until you see an Options menu, then select Delete.
- Go to App Store or an analog your device uses.
- Search for the Apple TV app.
- Click Install to download the app back to your device.
5. Free Up Some Storage Space
Finally, try and check your storage space to see if you’re running out of free memory.
If that’s the case, freeing up more space can improve the functioning of your apps and the device in general.
Again, the process is slightly different for every device. Here’s how to do it on an Apple TV:
- Go to Settings.
- Select General.
- Choose Manage Storage.
- Look through the apps installed on your Apple TV and hit the trash icon for any app you want to remove from the device.
Final Thoughts
There are a few possible reasons your Apple TV might not work, and the ideal fix depends on what’s causing the issue.
Check if your Internet connection is stable, see if you’ve missed any recent updates, and make sure you’ve paid for your subscription this month.
If you don’t have much storage space left, this could also be the problem that causes the Apple TV app to malfunction.
If none of the reasons apply in your situation, it is probably just a glitch that can be fixed by restarting the device, resetting the app, or reinstalling it completely.