Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): How to restart your Apple TV

Summary

If you experience a blank screen, or if your Apple TV becomes unresponsive, a restart should resolve the issue.

Products Affected

Apple TV (2nd generation), Apple TV (3rd generation)

Collapse All Sections | Expand All Sections

Restarting your Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation) using the onscreen menu

If you have Apple TV software 5.0 or later installed, you can restart your Apple TV using the onscreen menu. To restart your Apple TV choose Settings > General > Restart.

Restarting your Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation) with an aluminum Apple Remote

Press and hold Menu and Down (buttons 3 and 4 below) on your aluminum Apple Remote for six seconds and then release when you see the LED light on the Apple TV flash rapidly.

  1. Up
  2. Left
  3. Down
  4. Menu
  5. Select
  6. Right
  7. Play/Pause

Aluminum remote with 7 callouts
 

Restarting your Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation) with a white Apple Remote

Press and hold Menu and Menu down/scroll for six seconds, and then release when you see the LED light on the Apple TV flash rapidly.
 

 
 

Restarting your Apple TV without a remote

You can also reset your Apple TV by unplugging it from the power source for thirty seconds. 

Not helpful Somewhat helpful Helpful Very helpful Solved my problem
Ask other users about this article
in Apple Support Communities
See all questions on this article See all questions I have asked