If the AirPlay on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, or any compatible device keeps disconnecting, you need to restart the device to fix the issue. This issue is so common, and on the Apple Discussion page, more than 100 users are complaining about this specific issue. If you have the same issue, this article is for you.
After deep research from the entire Apple Discussion page, this article has been created with a root cause of the issue and its fixes. By following this guide, you can fix the problem of AirPlay disconnecting from your Apple device to the AirPlay-compatible device.
Why AirPlay Keeps Disconnecting from Apple Devices
| Reason for the Issue | Fixes for the Issue |
|---|---|
| AirPlay incompatible device | Check your Smart TV is compatible with the AirPlay feature |
| Unstable internet connection | Connect your device to a stable internet connection |
| Check your application is compatible with the AirPlay feature | Ensure to enable the AirPlay feature before AirPlaying the content |
| Outdated firmware | Update the firmware to the latest version |
| Signal interference | Keep your Apple device and TV with a close distance |
| Software glitches | Restart the TV |
Fixes For AirPlay Keeps Disconnecting Issue
There are many reasons AirPlay disconnected, so you should try out all the reliable troubleshooting methods in order. By doing so, you can learn the causes that would help us fix the issue and prevent it from happening next time.
Restart the Device
Restarting is very effective in fixing unknown errors that occur within the device.
1. Go to the Settings menu on your Apple TV.
2. Select the System option.
3. Now, tap the Restart button to reboot the Apple TV.
You can also restart the Apple TV by disconnecting the HDMI and power cable from Apple TV. Then, turn it on again after five minutes.
Similarly, you can restart your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Smart TV to fix the AirPlay Keeps Disconnecting issue. If restarting the device does not fix the issue, try the next fix.
Disable Auto-Lock
The Auto-Lock feature is the primary reason for AirPlay to stop working or disconnecting. Therefore, you should disable this setting right away to avoid such issues. In the older iOS, the Atuo-Lock is available under the General Settings. But, with the latest version, the Auto-Lock feature is moved to the Display & Brightness menu.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and select the Display & Brightness option.
2. Click on Auto-Lock → Set to Never.
The Auto-Lock feature will lock your iPhone automatically if there is no activity on the screen after a specified time and stops all background tasks. This might affect the AirPlay connection, too. Setting this feature to “Never” won’t lock your iPhone automatically, allowing you to AirPlay media files without any time restrictions.
If Auto-Lock is not affecting your AirPlay connection, go to the next fix.
Turn Off Sleep Mode
Like Auto-Lock, Sleep Mode can also hinder keeping the AirPlay disconnected. If you have enabled the Sleep Mode, it may cause issues with the AirPlay receiver. Therefore, you can try disabling it to avoid the issue.
1. Pull down the Control Centre on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Bed icon to disable it. You can tap Focus and hit Sleep Mode to turn it off on your iPhone/iPad.
If the Sleep Mode is already disabled, try the next fix.
Turn off Low Power Mode
If your Mac or iPhone is running on the Low Power Mode, a lot of background tasks will be stopped. This might affect the AirPlay connection. Disable the Low Power mode on your device and try again.
On iPhone
1. Go to the Control Center on your iPhone.
2. Click the Battery icon to turn off the Low Power Mode.
If the Low Power Mode icon is not available on the Control Centre, go to Settings → Battery → Turn off Low Power Mode toggle.
On Mac
1. Click the Battery icon on the Mac.
2. Choose the Battery Settings option.
3. Now, choose Never in the Low Power Mode drop-down menu.
If you get the same issue after disabling the Low Power Mode, you can go for the next fix.
Check Device Compatibility
It would be best if you made sure whether the device is AirPlay-compatible. At the same time, you should check if your Apple TV or smart TV is AirPlay 2-compatible to cast photos, music, or videos from iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
If the device is not compatible, you need to upgrade the device to fix the issue.
Check the Internet Connection
AirPlay will work only if you have a stable WiFi connection. If there are poor WiFi signals from the router, it is impossible to use AirPlay. Eventually, it will disconnect your device from pairing, and you won’t be able to stream. Hence, you should connect both devices to the same WiFi network and check whether it receives proper signals.
If the internet connection is stable, check the app that you are using.
Using the AirPlay-Supported App
Other than the device, the app you use should also be AirPlay-compatible. Or the content sharing between devices would be unsuccessful. So, use an application that supports the AirPlay feature by default. Then, check the app settings to confirm the issue and find an alternative app that works fine with the AirPlay feature.
If the app is compatible with the AirPlay feature, check the connectivity settings on the device.
Check Connectivity Settings
To use the AirPlay feature, a few preset requirements need to be fulfilled. For instance, you should turn on Bluetooth and WiFi on the device to use this feature. So, check for both settings, fix it if required, and try reconnecting to the AirPlay.
Generally, both Bluetooth and WiFi need to be turned on to use AirPlay. Go to the device settings to ensure WiFi and Bluetooth are turned on. If you want to use AirPlay without WiFi, you can use peer-to-peer AirPlay. You must create a WiFi hotspot from your device and connect your TV to this one.
If you have turned on all the connectivity features, try Ethernet cables to fix the issue.
Use 2.4GHz WiFi
Though 5GHz WiFi is more advanced than 2.4GHz, some devices may have issues with the 5GHz band. So, we recommend you use only the 2.4GHz WiFi network for AirPlay purposes. When compared to 5GHz WiFi, 2.4GHz needs less power and low system requirements.
If changing the WiFi band is not fixing the issue, you can try the next fix.
Connect to Ethernet Instead of WiFi
If you can’t get stable WiFi, you can use the Ethernet cables. The wired connection is stable and faster. Therefore, connect your Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV to the Ethernet and connect your iPhone to the same WiFi network. And check if the AirPlay keeps disconnecting issue is fixed. If it is not fixed, try the next fix.
Change the Resolution
Sometimes, the iOS device’s resolution differs from the Apple TV’s screen resolution. In such a situation, your device finds it difficult to cast the exact resolution to your TV. If you are using Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, open Settings → AirPlay → AirPlay Display Underscan → Auto.
Note: If you have an Apple TV (2nd/3rd Generation), launch Settings → Audio & Video → Adjust for AirPlay Overscan → Auto.
After changing the resolution, check if the issue persists or not. If you get the same issue, try the next fix.
Update your Apple Devices
Sometimes, AirPlay cannot work due to pending updates. If your iOS device is not updated to the latest version, the AirPlay connection may not be smoother.
Update iPhone/iPad
To fix this, open Settings → General → Software Update. Once the update is finished, pair your device again and check whether the AirPlay works. Ensure to turn on the Automatic update option to update your iPhone automatically.
On Mac
1. Click on the Apple icon and go to System Preference.
2. Tap on the Software Update.
3. Check if any updates are available, and click on the Update Now option to install the latest software version.
On Apple TV
1. Navigate to the Settings tab and click the General option.
2. Scroll down, click the Software Updates tab, and tap on Update Software to install the latest version on Apple TV.
3. Finally, click the Automatically update option so the firmware will update when connected to a stable WiFi network.
Similarly, you need to update your AirPlay-receiving TVs to fix the issue. If the same issue persists even after the update, check the Firewall settings on Mac.
Check the Firewall on Mac
If you are trying to stream from a Mac, then there are possibilities for the Firewall to block the AirPlay connection.
1. Turn on the Mac and go to the System Preferences option.
2. Click the Security & Privacy option and check the Firewall option.
3. Now, disable the Block all incoming connections option.
4. And enable the Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections.
If you can’t fix the issue by changing the Firewall settings, you need to contact Apple Support.
Contact Apple Support
All the fixes mentioned above are related to software issues. If none of the fixes are working for you, then there is an issue with the hardware. To fix hardware issues, you have to contact the Apple Support. Explain your specific issue to them and get an apt solution.
FAQs
Because of temporary glitches, the AirPlay might be disconnecting on your Samsung TV. First, check whether the Apple device and Samsung Smart TV are connected to the same WiFi network. Next, disable and enable the AirPlay on Samsung TV.
Restart your Apple device if you have connected to your Sony Smart TV for the first time. If your Apple device is fine, restart your Sony TV to fix the issue.
