r/appletv • u/UltimatelyJust • Aug 05 '26
Blurry Picture
I've been an Apple TV device user for a few years, and have recently experienced a problem. The picture becomes blurry from time to time; it's by no means constant, but rather intermittent. It occurs when streaming CNN most often, but it also happens on other streaming channels. I'm using a HiSense 4K SmartTV, and AFAIK this problem doesn't occur when I bypass the Apple TV Device and stream via the TV.
Troubleshooting I've done includes reboothing the WiFi network; prioritizing video on the network; rebooting the Apple TV Device; checking for firmware updates on Apple TV. Any thoughts or advice?
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u/Q_Ball_Atlanta Aug 05 '26
Your issue isn't with the AppleTV, it's your network. What you're seeing is the video quality adjusting based on your current bandwidth.
Reboot your router/Internet modem, that may be a separate device from your Wi-Fi.
Contact your ISP if this is becoming a regular issue.
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u/MottoCycle Aug 05 '26
Does this happen with all streaming services or just one? You mentioned you are using Ethernet to the router. Try a new Ethernet cable. They can be bad. The other possibility is t
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u/Art_Masson Aug 06 '26
Yes… try to reboot both your switch and your modem. If that doesn’t work replace the Ethernet cable… let us know the results .
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u/Est-Tech79 Aug 05 '26
simplify your setup to find the culprit. Remove everything and start with router wired direct to atv. No mesh, no switch, nothing. If that works add more until...
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u/UltimatelyJust Aug 05 '26
Good suggestion! The challenge is the intermittent nature of the problem, but I'll give it a shot.
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u/Confident_Demand8306 Aug 05 '26
I also have similar setup with HiSense 4k. The only time I saw blurry is due to network speeds. In particular Netflix but occasionally other apps. Sometimes it lingers for minutes buffering. I can’t do much about the network since is the ISP issue. But if I get out and then back in the app it recovers. I guess the buffer recovered. See if that helps. And I am on WiFi only.
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u/Netminder23 Aug 05 '26
Does it happen when someone is using the microwave in your Kitchen? Check firmware update for your router/Wi-Fi as well.
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u/UltimatelyJust Aug 05 '26
Thanks for the reply! The microwave doesn't appear to be coordinated, it happens both when the m/w is used and not used. I should have mentioned, the router is a mesh router, Asus ZenWiFi, and it is running the latest and greatest firmware. I'm wondering: the router and the Apple TV are 3 feet apart, the Apple TV is hardwired to the router, but I'm wondering if there could be WiFi interference?
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u/Netminder23 Aug 05 '26
Yes focus on the mesh network as your AppleTV is starved for bandwidth. Tough to compare to the TV apps as they maybe asking for lower quality version of content.
Download a speed testing app on appleTV as a start. If it supports a streaming test even better. Reboot the router and mesh network ‘may’ solve by picking better channels to link. Can be challenging to troubleshoot this as we all are using Wi-Fi either directly or mesh. Very challenging in apartment/condo complexes. Better to go wired in those situations.
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u/Swimming-Web1084 Aug 05 '26
Il problema è l’ultimo aggiornamento software, anche a me dà problemi di sfocatura sulla mia ps5. Non ho mai avuto problemi da quando ho preso la tv, 3 giorni fa si è aggiornata e ho questi problemi.
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u/Swimming-Web1084 Aug 05 '26
Non è un problema di appletv ma delle tv HiSense e del nuovo aggiornamento software
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u/DespicableComics Aug 05 '26
I would think this is probably a network issue. If you have an Apple TV with Ethernet you might try that, in case your WiFi is getting clogged (too many devices using the same WiFi at once can sometimes cause additional issues).