AirPlay not working? How to Fix Your AirPlay Problems

Having reliability issues while using AirPlay with your iDevice or Mac and Apple TV? Is AirPlay lagging, working only after a long delay, or not working at all? If you experience any of these issues, it’s time to fix your AirPlay problems.

What’s AirPlay Do?

The AirPlay feature offers users the chance to wirelessly play content from any iOS Apple device on their television through Apple TV. AirPlay shows precisely what is playing the device onto the TV’s bigger high-definition screen. All it takes is for you to connect the iDevice or Mac and the AppleTV (or AirPlay device) to the same local WiFi network. Then, AirPlay option instantly becomes visible in some different apps, including Photos, Music, Videos, and Safari. It is ideal for users that want to share their photos or videos with others during a party, or for those that want the optimal viewing pleasure of watching a movie on the big screen.

Also, AirPlay allows for dual-screen viewing, which creates an epic gaming opportunity to turn the Apple device into a controller and play a game on the TV. But, that is not all it does. AirPlay plays all music onto external enabled speakers with a simple click of a button. Using the home’s WiFi network, the tunes will stream throughout the entire home, creating the epitome of a surround sound system. 

Fix Your AirPlay Problems: Tips

• Verify that both your iDevice or Mac and Apple TV or AirPlay Device are on the same WiFi network
• If you don’t see the AirPlay icon, make sure that your Apple TV or other AirPlay device is powered on and also awake
• Turn off Bluetooth on your iOS device (Settings > General > Bluetooth)
• Make sure that your iOS device has WiFi enabled (Settings > WiFi)
• Check that your WiFi router’s firmware is up to date
• Make sure your Apple TV has the current software update (Settings > General > Update Software)
• Verify that your iOS software is up to date (How to update your iOS version: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)
• Reboot your WiFi router
• Restart your Apple TV
• Reset the iDevice by pressing and holding the on/off button and then slide the slider
• Make sure that there is no more than one device trying to stream
• Some third-party apps interfere with the AirPlay. In particular, third-party apps that do similar functions as AirPlay seems particularly problematic.
  • So if you have any apps that send your screen or media files to other media receivers or turn your iPad into an extra display, uninstall them. iFolks report problems with Duet and AirParrot, so uninstall these if you have them
• macOS and OS X: If you use a firewall, make sure you aren’t blocking AirPlay Mirroring:
  • Apple Menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall > Firewall Options and uncheck “Block all incoming connections” checkbox and check the “Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections” checkbox

Some Mac users also need to add these additional steps after adjusting their Mac’s Firewall and other Settings

1. Shutdown
2. Power Up and hold keys to reset NVRAM:  cmd + option + P + R 
3. Hold these keys for about 20 seconds as your Mac might restarts
4. If your Mac plays a startup chime when you turn it on, release the keys after the second chime
5. Once Mac opens, check your System Preferences and adjust impacted settings like sound volume, display resolution, startup disk selection, and time zone back to your preference

Related Articles To Fix Your AirPlay Problems

• AirPlay 2: How it works and everything you need to know
• AirPlay Stops, Stutters, or Plays Intermittently? How To Fix These Problems
• AirPlay and MacBooks
• Fix AirPlay & AirPlay Mirroring Problems
• Use AirPlay to Connect Your Apple TV Without WiFi

Need More? Take a Look At Our AirPlay Quick Tips Video

Read our comprehensive AirPlay Article OR Take a look at our short video, walking you through the common fixes for your AirPlay problems.