Start with the simplest fixes first

If your Apple TV won't connect to the internet, the problem is usually one of three things: your Apple TV lost its network, your router needs a restart, or there is a temporary issue with your internet service. Before you do anything else, restart both your Apple TV and your router—this solves the problem about half the time.

To restart your Apple TV, go to Settings > System > Restart. Wait for it to power down and boot back up, which takes about two minutes. While that happens, unplug your router from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Let it fully restart (the lights will stop blinking when it is ready). Then check whether your Apple TV reconnects automatically.

If restarting both devices does not work, move to the next section. If it does work, you are done—the connection should now be stable.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your Apple TV through Settings > System > Restart, and restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
  • Check that your Apple TV is in range of your router and that you are using the correct Wi-Fi password, not an old one you changed.
  • If your Apple TV shows a network error code, write down the exact code and search for it on Apple's support site, because each code points to a specific problem.
  • If your internet works on other devices but not on Apple TV, forget the network on your Apple TV and reconnect by entering the password again.
  • If nothing works, contact your internet provider to confirm your service is active, then contact Apple Support with your error code.

Check your Wi-Fi password and network range

Apple TV sometimes loses the correct password, especially if you changed your Wi-Fi password recently. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Wi-Fi to see which network your Apple TV is connected to. If it shows "Not Connected" or a network name you do not recognize, you need to reconnect.

Select Other Networks and choose your home network from the list. When prompted, enter your Wi-Fi password exactly as it is now—not the old one. If you are not sure what your current password is, check your router (it is usually printed on a sticker on the back) or log into your router's settings through a computer or phone to see or reset it.

Also check that your Apple TV is within reasonable range of your router. Apple TV works best when it is in the same room or one room away. If it is in a bedroom on the far side of your house and your router is in the living room, move the Apple TV closer to the router temporarily to test whether distance is the problem.

Forget the network and reconnect from scratch

If you entered the password correctly but your Apple TV still will not connect, the device may have stored corrupted network information. Forgetting the network and reconnecting clears that out.

Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Wi-Fi. Select your network name, then choose Forget This Network. Your Apple TV will disconnect. Wait 10 seconds, then go back to Wi-Fi, select your network again, and enter your password. This forces your Apple TV to create a fresh connection instead of using old settings.

Look up your error code if one appears

If your Apple TV displays an error code—something like "–6753F" or "–25070"—write it down exactly. This code tells you what went wrong more precisely than a general "not connected" message.

On a computer or phone, go to Apple's official support site and search for your error code. Apple publishes a list of codes and what each one means. Some codes point to router settings you need to change (like enabling a specific Wi-Fi standard), others point to problems with your internet provider, and some mean your Apple TV hardware needs service.

If you do not see an error code, but your Apple TV shows a specific message like "Cannot Connect to Network" or "Invalid Password," that message itself is your clue. Search that exact message on Apple's support site.

Test whether the problem is your internet or your Apple TV

Before you call your internet provider, confirm that your internet actually works. On your phone or computer, open a web browser and load a website. If the website loads, your internet is working. If it does not load on any device, your internet service is down—call your provider.

If your internet works on your phone and computer but not on your Apple TV, the problem is specific to your Apple TV. In that case, go back and try the "Forget the Network" step above. If that does not work, your Apple TV may need a software update. Go to Settings > System > About and check whether an update is available. If one is, install it and try connecting again.

When to contact Apple Support or your internet provider

Contact your internet provider if your internet is down on all devices, or if your Apple TV still will not connect after you have restarted both devices, checked your password, and forgotten and reconnected to the network. Your provider can tell you whether your service is active and whether there are any outages in your area.

Contact Apple Support if your internet works on other devices, you have tried all the steps above, and your Apple TV still will not connect. Have your error code ready if one appeared. Apple Support can walk you through more advanced troubleshooting or arrange a repair if your Apple TV hardware is faulty. You can reach Apple Support through the Apple Support app, through Apple's website, or by calling 1-800-MY-APPLE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Apple TV keep disconnecting even though it connects at first?

This usually means your Apple TV is at the edge of your Wi-Fi range and keeps dropping the signal. Move it closer to your router. If that is not possible, consider a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh router system that covers your whole house more evenly. Interference from other devices (microwaves, cordless phones) can also cause drops—try moving your router away from those devices.

My Apple TV is connected to Wi-Fi but apps say "No Internet Connection"—what is the difference?

Your Apple TV can be connected to your network but still not have internet access if your router itself is not connected to your internet provider. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If that does not work, check whether your modem (the device your router plugs into) has lights that show it is connected to your provider. If the modem lights are off or red, call your internet provider.

Can I use a wired ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi?

Yes. If you have an Apple TV model with an ethernet port (check your manual or Apple's specs for your model), you can plug an ethernet cable directly from your router to your Apple TV. This is more stable than Wi-Fi and solves many connection problems. If your Apple TV does not have an ethernet port, you can buy a USB-to-ethernet adapter that works with your model.

Do I need to update my router or Apple TV software to fix connection problems?

Sometimes. Check whether your Apple TV has a software update available by going to Settings > System > About. For your router, log into its settings (usually through a web browser or the router's app) and look for a firmware update option. Outdated software can cause connection issues, but updates are not always the fix—try the restart and password steps first.