If your Apple TV won't turn on or doesn't respond
Check the light on the front of your Apple TV:
- If the light flashes for more than three minutes, restore your Apple TV.
- If the light is steady and doesn't flash, follow the steps for blank or flickering screens.
- If there's no light, follow these steps. After each step, try again:
- Unplug the power cord from your Apple TV. Wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
- Plug the power cord into a different power outlet or power strip.
- Try a different Apple TV power cord, if you have one.
- Restore your Apple TV from your computer.
If your Apple TV still won't turn on, contact Apple Support or take your Apple TV to the nearest Apple Store.

If you have video issues or see an HDCP alert
Find out what to do for your particular issue, like blank or distorted screens, HDCP alerts, aspect ratios, and color issues.
If you see issues like an HDCP alert or a blank, flickering, or static screen
- Unplug both ends of your HDMI cable. Then firmly plug them back in.
- Turn off your TV and receiver (if you use one). Unplug your Apple TV from power, then plug it back in. Turn your receiver and TV back on.
- In your TV's menu, make sure that you select the HDMI input that matches the HDMI port connected to your Apple TV. Check your TV's manual for help.
- Connect your Apple TV directly to your TV instead of using a receiver or HDMI switch, since the issue might be with your receiver or switch.
- Try a different HDMI cable to see if the issue is with your cable.
If you need more help with video issues, try adjusting the HDMI and display settings on your Apple TV. Go to Settings > Audio and Video. If the screen is blank and you can’t go to Settings, you can use your remote to change the resolution:
- For Apple TV (4th generation), hold Menu and Volume Down for five seconds. For Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation), hold Menu and Up for five seconds.
- After you let go of the buttons, your Apple TV will switch to a new resolution every 20 seconds. Select OK to choose a resolution. Select Cancel to quit.
If color, tint, or brightness are incorrect
Check the picture mode on your TV. You should use the standard or normal picture mode. Check your TV's user guide for help.
After you check the picture mode on your TV, check the video settings on your Apple TV:
- On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Audio & Video.
- Select HDMI Output and try each of these settings: Auto, YCbCr, RGB High, and RGB Low.

If you hear static or don't hear any sound on your Apple TV
Get help with surround sound. For other issues, use these steps and check the audio after each step:
- Unplug both ends of your HDMI cable. Then firmly plug them back in.
- Turn off your TV and receiver (if you use one). Unplug your Apple TV from power, then plug it back in. Turn your receiver and TV back on.
- Connect your Apple TV directly to your TV instead of using a receiver or HDMI switch, since the issue might be with your receiver or switch.
- On your Apple TV, select Settings > Audio & Video.
- Make sure Audio Out is set to Apple TV.
- Change the Audio Mode from Auto to 16 bit.
- On Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation), change the Dolby Digital Out setting from On to Off.
If there's no sound when you navigate the menu, choose Settings > Audio & Video and make sure that Sound Effects and Music is on.
