Forum Discussion

cd2448's avatar
cd2448
Reel Rookie
6 years ago
Solved

Re: Apple TV+ not working: Problem loading content

I bought a Roku Express specifically to watch Apple TV+, and now no single video will play. This is working on my iPad so seems my account is ok, but ever6 video I watch I get “video is not available...
  • JWBoulder's avatar
    JWBoulder
    6 years ago

    I also had the issue of Apple+ TV not playing 4K/HDR content via my Roku (4 Premier).  I always got the message “Video is not available, try again in a moment”.  Tried the uninstall/reinstall nonsense to no avail.

    I finally found the problem. I'm using an LG OLED TV and in the picture settings for the TV there is an option called "HDMI Ultra Deep HD Color".  This was enabled by default on HDMI 1 of my TV.  Turning that option off immediately solved the problem with Apple+ TV.  It now works properly via my Roku to the LG OLED TV.

    I hope this is helpful to others.

     

    Additional resources that you might find helpful:

  • lmolter's avatar
    lmolter
    5 years ago

    For me, I went to Advanced Display options on my Roku Ultra and changed Automatically Adjust Frame Rate (or something like that) to OFF. Everything works now.

Chickenlips's avatar
Chickenlips
Newbie
6 years ago

I have found a work around since there is no real solution. If you play the episode on your IPhone or iPad , the show will steam for you on Roku, So...in my case I start the episode on my iPhone and let it play pass the intro . Stop playing. Turn on Roku go to Apple TV plus app and on the Roku, then you will see a progress bar on the show. You can then watch shows on your TV via the Roku express and Apple TV app. Basic steps- play episode on iPhone for a few seconds. Then go to Apple TV app and stream the episode that would not normally play. 

TrashTsar's avatar
TrashTsar
Reel Rookie
5 years ago

My Roku device is plugged into an older, non-smart Vizio TV. I tried all of the other suggestions in this thread without success. But Chickenlips's work-around of starting the Apple TV show on an Apple device, pausing it, then moving to the Roku worked! I use my wife's iPhone. Of course, if you don't have an Apple device, then I guess you are out of luck.

  • HielanLass's avatar
    HielanLass
    Newbie
    5 years ago

    I’m running a Premiere 3290x off an older Vizio.  Everything was fine, and then all of a sudden AppleTV will no longer play.  It will play shows I’ve watched before just fine, but will no longer play “new” shows.  I have reset/turned off auto adjust display refresh rate.  I have removed Apple TV, restarted the Roku and reloaded Apple TV.  I tried the start it on the iPad then move to Roku workaround - no luck.  I tried to cast it directly from my iPad but the program format won’t play on my TV.

    This thread’s been open for 19 months and there’s no solution?!

    • Lyrlen's avatar
      Lyrlen
      Binge Watcher
      5 years ago

      Roku does not consider it a problem because Apple+ never officially agreed to run on some Roku devices.  And even if Apple had Roku would not consider it their problem because they are not responsible for writing the apps the services are.  Forget about trying Apple because their is no one you can talk to direct for Apple+ Service.  They service people want to help but unless it’s Apple Hardware they can’t.  And as far as I can tell Roku just doesn’t care and won’t bother to help. Their solution is buy a new Roku product 

      • StreamerUser's avatar
        StreamerUser
        Roku Guru
        5 years ago
        Lyrlen wrote:

        Roku does not consider it a problem because Apple+ never officially agreed to run on some Roku devices.  And even if Apple had Roku would not consider it their problem because they are not responsible for writing the apps the services are.  Forget about trying Apple because their is no one you can talk to direct for Apple+ Service.  They service people want to help but unless it’s Apple Hardware they can’t.  And as far as I can tell Roku just doesn’t care and won’t bother to help. Their solution is buy a new Roku product 

        Its not a matter of Apple "agreeing" with Roku as to what models are covered by the app - Apple (or any app publisher) solely determines and controls this when they publish the ATV app to the Roku channelstore.

        The Apple TV app is separate from the Apple TV+ subscription service (you can install and use the ATV app and never subscribe to Apple TV+).

        Roku isnt going to provide any (better) support for the ATV app because Apple doesnt or you dont prefer Apple's support.

        I highly suggest you check your upgrade offers: https://my.roku.com/upgrade/  - the Express 4k+  may be offered at $25 for you, and coupled with an HDMI>Composite converter, will give you an affordable upgrade solution that will last you for years to come.

    • StreamerUser's avatar
      StreamerUser
      Roku Guru
      5 years ago
      HielanLass wrote:

      I’m running a Premiere 3290x off an older Vizio.  Everything was fine, and then all of a sudden AppleTV will no longer play.  It will play shows I’ve watched before just fine, but will no longer play “new” shows.  I have reset/turned off auto adjust display refresh rate.  I have removed Apple TV, restarted the Roku and reloaded Apple TV.  I tried the start it on the iPad then move to Roku workaround - no luck.  I tried to cast it directly from my iPad but the program format won’t play on my TV.

      This thread’s been open for 19 months and there’s no solution?!

      There was an ATV app update (7.0.126) on Monday 7/19 - this was the likely source of your changed ATV app behavior.  You didnt mention your firmware version, but its likely 10.0.0-4209 (Settings/System/About)

      Not that it will mean much for you, but the ATV (7.0.126) app plays content without issue (including playing a "new"/previously unwatched show) on my Express+ 3910 using composite output.  Sometimes it has to be loaded twice, and thats because the ATV app uses a "hidden" external code library that has to be loaded first, and this uses more memory which causes more app loading issues on low-memory models (like the Express models).,

      Because of this increased ATV app memory usage issue, there are some workarounds/solutions to try:

      1) Check for updates: Settings/System/System updates/Check now - try again

      2) Change your Theme to the Roku Default: Settings/Theme/Restore default theme - try again

      3) Change your Screensaver to a Roku clock: Settings/Theme/Screensavers - try again

      4) Remove ATV app, RESTART ROKU: Settings/System/System restart/Restart, Add ATV app - try again

      5) Remove unused apps - try again

      6) Network connection reset: Settings/System/Advanced system settings/Network connection reset - try again

      7) Completely unplug power from Roku for 10-15 minutes - try again

      8) Factory reset: Settings/System/Advanced system settings/Factory reset <--- last resort

      FYI, There are different problems being lumped into this thread covering different models, different firmware versions, and different ATV app versions - threads like this often become as they are over time because of search results and Roku thread "advertising" at the community home page.

      Regardless, the ATV app is entirely coded/published/maintained,/controlled by Apple.    Its best to address problems with the ATV app to Apple since they are they only ones that can do anything about it:

      https://support.apple.com/contact