I recently experienced an issue with my Apple TV 2 where I could no longer use the Netflix streaming service even though other video streaming such as YouTube and iTunes Home Sharing worked flawlessly. This was extremely frustrating seeing as the only reason that I purchased my Apple TV 2 was to use Netflix streaming video on our upstairs television. Fortunately however, the fix which I am going to share with you is very easy to implement.
After much troubleshooting and research, I had found some information suggesting that OpenDNS, a third party DNS provider, might be the reason that Netflix streaming isn’t working properly on my Apple TV 2. I of course have my router configured to use OpenDNS as I like having the extra anti-malware protection that they offer. Needless to say, I was not going to disable OpenDNS. Here’s what I did instead;
Use Google’s Public DNS Server To Fix Apple TV 2 Streaming Problems
1. Start your Apple TV 2 and navigate to Settings => General => Network and click on Configure TCP/IP.
2. Select “Manually” next to Configure IP.
3. Click “Done” on the IP Address screen and do the same for both the Subnet Mask and Router Address screens.
4. Configure the DNS Address screen with the following IP address: 008.008.008.008 and click “Done.”
You should now be able to stream Netflix on your Apple TV 2.
Summary
What we did here (in network admin speak) was to set the Apple TV 2 to use a static IP address. Instead of using OpenDNS or the ISP’s DNS servers, which would be “handed out” by DHCP, we specified that the Apple TV 2 should use Google’s Public DNS server (8.8.8.8) which fixed our Netflix streaming problem on the Apple TV 2. On a business network you would never configure a static IP address within a dynamic range, but in a home this shouldn’t create a problem. I would also like to point out that this fix should also be tried even if you are not using OpenDNS because some ISP’s DNS servers might not be as reliable as they should be.
Update: March 2nd, 2011
I just setup an Apple TV 2 for a friend who uses Time Warner Cable Road Runner for his ISP. Netflix streaming didn’t work properly right out of the box and my friend did not have his router configured to use OpenDNS. Setting the Apple TV 2 DNS address to 8.8.8.8 immediately fixed the problem with Netflix streaming!
Update: March 17th, 2011
It would appear as if the iOS 4.3 update for the Apple TV 2 fixes the Netflix streaming problems that so many have experienced. I updated my Apple TV 2 to iOS 4.3 and then tested Netflix streaming using both DHCP and OpenDNS. Low and behold both worked! I think I’ll stick with using Google’s Public DNS on my Apple TV 2 due to the randomness in which these Netflix streaming problems seem to occur, I just wanted to report back however that Apple’s iOS 4.3 update seems to resolve issues with streaming Netflix.
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- Fix For MacBook Wireless Problems – Updated
Written by | Mike Steben
Mike enjoys computers and technology, playing the piano, selling stuff on eBay, playing video games, cooking, and eating at Teddy's Pizza. He started CompuNoodle in 2009 and loves to hear from his readers.
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Lots of good info. I am so tired of trying to watch Netflix and having it buffer every 2 minutes. I am now updating software on my Apple tv 2. I am skeptical it will solve the problem. I see that there are other solutions, but to be honest I am afraid that I am clueless to the acronyms and will mess up the entire system. I live in a small town with a local wireless carrier and I am clueless whether the previously mentioned directions of resetting to .8.8.8.8 etc etc google etc will work or be worse. I am technically inept but am tired of paying for streaming movies that are buffering more than playing. Any clearer info for those not understanding the jargon? What am I dealing with. I do pay for high speed Internet, but it does not feel like it is doing anything.
Thank you, finally a solution to the annoying problems with Netflix on our ATV! Happily catching up on my viewing!!
Thank you! Moving DNS to google 8.8.8.8 fixed the netflix streaming buffering problems immediately! I also took the time to setup the new router on openDNS.
I’m on Time Warner Cable SoCal, iOS 5.0 (5.1). Netflix playback would buffer every few minutes, for a minute or two at a time. I have ard wired ethernet on the Apple tv, and PCs on the same router (wired and wireless) stream netflix just fine on my ISP’s DNS.
Yea, this doesn’t work nor does resetting, restoring, or unplugging. I have no idea what happened, netflix worked flawlessly, then updated, now doesn’t work at all. WTF!!!
same problem exist even on latest atv 2012. i changed to 8.8.8.8, lets see if it will help.
Had the same problem here, cannot believe this is not better advertised… was frustrated until I found your site. Returned my Apple TV 1 last week ( since 2 came out, I still had 10 days left ) and the new ATV2 just didn’t want to stream netflix where the previous version did it flawlessly.. maybe the new resolution ? I just don’t know but I am happy I found this… thanks
How to fix this on your Apple TV: http://steve.crooks.net/2012/02/26/making-apple-tv-and-opendns-play-nice/
I implemented the same fix and it appears to have fixed my issue as well.
For those of you that wish to use OpenDNS and have custom DHCP fed address to ATV2, you can do the following:
1) set up a DHCP reservation for ATV2 with custom DNS settings for google DNS servers.
2) allow the rest of the DHCP clients on your network to use OpenDNS.
That fixed it for me!
If you use DDWRT or better commercial grade firewall ( Sonicwall / Fortinet, etc ) this should be an easy fix
Had same problem – on Telus Optik in B.C. – Tried this and it seems to have fixed the problem.
Thanks!
Same problem. Didn’t work for me either !
Doesn’t work. It’s an ATV2 issue. This product is a complete fail…
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