When Apple TV keeps freezing when you are trying to watch a show, it is something you want to fix quickly.
In this post, we look at why your Apple TV keeps freezing and what you can do to fix it.
Why Does Apple TV Keep Freezing?
The most common reason Apple TV freezes is a slow internet router limiting bandwidth to your streaming device.
If it has been a while since you last reset your router, the internet performance on your home network will slow. This can cause Apple TV to stutter or freeze.
When your router has not been reset for an extended period, internet connectivity issues can arise, which leads to a slow connection.
Here are some tips on how to make stop Apple TV from freezing:
- Restart your router
- Restart the Apple TV app
- Sign out of the Apple TV
- Restart your streaming device
- Update the Apple TV app or web browser
- Update your streaming device
- Disconnect devices from the internet
- Close any other apps that are running
- Use an Ethernet cable rather than a Wi-Fi
- Improve your Wi-Fi connection
- Disable VPNs or Ad blockers
- Upgrade your Internet Connection
- Check the Server Status of Apple TV
- Contact the Apple TV app Support
How to stop Apple TV when it keeps freezing
Method 1: Restart your Router
As the intro above mentions, restarting your router can be the most effective trick if Apple TV keeps freezing.
How do I reboot my router?
You can easily reboot your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
Why does restarting your router reduce Apple TV freezing?
Your router performance will slow as more tasks and devices are added to its workload.
This will ultimately lead to a slower internet connection which can impede your ability to stream content from apps such as Apple TV quickly.
Method 2: Restart the Apple TV app
If you use the app rather than a web browser, restart it when you experience freezing on Apple TV.
Restarting the app allows any updates to install and will establish a new internet connection with the Apple TV servers, which can occasionally resolve the issue.
Method 3: Sign out of Apple TV
When freezing starts on Apple TV, you should also sign out of the Apple TV account.
When you return and log in, check to see if the freezing issues resolve.
Method 4: Restart your streaming device
It would help if you did a complete restart on whichever device you watch, Apple TV.
Like your router, your streaming device will experience a slowdown in performance over time and this can result in freezing issues on your Apple TV.
To restart these devices, we recommend unplugging them for 60 seconds before plugging them back in.
When you restart your streaming device, you should have better performance on Apple TV.
Method 5: Update your Apple TV app or web browser
You’ll be accessing Apple TV through an app or web browser and you should ensure that these are updated to the latest software version when freezing occurs.
I would also advise trying different web browsers if you are accessing Apple TV through this medium.
Method 5a: Web browser users – reduce extensions
If your default web browser has many extensions installed, this can contribute to Apple TV freezing issues.
Having many extensions installed will slow the browser performance and negatively impact your streaming ability.
Consider limiting the number of extensions you have enabled on your browser or you could use another lightweight browser to stream content.
Method 6: Update your streaming device
Whether you are watching Apple TV on games console, computer, TV or streaming stick, please ensure your streaming device runs the latest firmware, software or OS when streaming.
Generally, newer system software will offer better performance and more features.
Older system software can cause Apple TV to freeze when viewing content.
Method 7: Disconnect devices from the internet
We have already talked about router overload as the likely culprit when Apple TV keeps freezing, but you should also disconnect any unused devices from your home internet.
Every device connected to the router in your home limits the internet bandwidth and you are more likely to experience Apple TV freezing.
Method 8: Close any apps that are running
More applications mean more system and internet resources not being allocated to your Apple TV stream.
Close any apps you are not using to improve your ability to stream Apple TV without streaming.
Method 9: Use an Ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi
Ethernet (wired connection) will give you a more reliable internet connection that Wi-Fi.
It can also reduce freezing issues on Apple TV as it generally transmits data at a faster, more consistent rate than Wi-Fi.
Method 10: Improve your Wi-Fi connection (If you have to use it)
If you cannot use a wired internet connection, then there are things you can do to improve your Wi-Fi connection.
Things you can do to improve your Wi-Fi connection
- Move your router closer to your streaming device
- Try and eliminate any objects between your device and router
- Add Wi-Fi signal extenders to your home
- Limit the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi
Method 11: Disable any ad blockers or VPNs
Don’t neglect to review your use of a VPN or adblocker when Apple TV keeps freezing.
Generally, VPNs and adblockers do not play well when you are streaming content online.
Streaming providers are against using VPNs and adblockers, and their use creates another dependency that can cause issues.
Method 12: Upgrade your Internet Connection
If you have access to fast internet connections in the area in which you reside, it may be worth considering upgrading your internet connection.
A 10mbps connection will stream content slower than a 1gbps connection. Could the Apple TV freezing issues be linked to your purchased internet speed?
Method 13: Check to make sure Apple TV servers are operational
When Apple TV keeps freezing, most issues will be with your network or playback device.
It is worth checking that there are no issues or outages with the Apple TV platform.
Method 14: Contact Apple TV Support
If, after following this guide, Apple TV continues to freeze, we recommend contacting Apple TV support.
Conclusion
When Apple TV keeps freezing, the cause is usually your home internet connection or a software issue.
The recommendations in this article should resolve the vast majority of Apple TV freezing issues.
Happy streaming!