How to Fix “Video Not Available” Error on Apple TV

Do you keep running into a “Video Not Available” error while streaming Apple TV content? That can happen due to any number of reasons, such as server outages, parental restrictions, and DNS issues.

This troubleshooting guide will show you how to fix Apple TV’s “Video Not Available” error on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV 4K.

Check the System Status Page

It’s a good idea to begin by making sure there’s nothing wrong with Apple TV’s streaming services. To do that, visit Apple’s System Status page and check the status next to Apple TV Channels and Apple TV+. If there’s an outage, wait until Apple fixes the problem. It shouldn’t take long.

Restart Your Devices

If there’s nothing wrong with the Apple servers, try restarting your Apple device. It’s a quick way to resolve unexpected technical issues preventing the TV app from fetching content.

iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap General.
   
2. Scroll down and tap Shut Down.
   
3. Drag the Power Off slider to the right.
   
4. Wait 30 seconds.
   
5. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
   

Mac

1. Open the Apple menu and select Restart.
   
2. Uncheck the box next to Reopen windows when logging back in.
   
3. Select Restart again.
   

Apple TV 4K

1. Press and hold the TV button on the Siri Remote to go to the Home Screen.
   
2. Select Settings.
   
3. Select System and choose Restart.
   

Check the Time and Date

Still no luck? An incorrect date, time, or time zone could be the culprit. You can rule that out by resyncing the clock with the Apple servers on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac or checking for a time zone update from Apple on the Apple TV 4K.

iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap General.
   
2. Tap Date & Time.
   
3. Disable the switch next to Set Automatically and turn it back on.
   

Mac

1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.
   
2. Select General on the sidebar and choose Date & Time.
   
3. Turn the switches next to Set time and date automatically and Set time zone automatically using your current location off and on.
   

Apple TV 4K

1. Open the Settings app.
   
2. Select the General category and choose Time Zone.
   
3. If you see a notice about an available update for time zone information, go back to the main screen and restart the device.
   

Update the Apple TV App

If the Apple TV app is outdated, it can experience streaming errors, so updating it to its latest version could be the solution. The only way to update Apple TV is to update the system software for your Apple device.

iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap General.
   
2. Tap Software Update.
   
3. Tap Update Now.
   

Mac

1. Open the System Settings app and select General on the sidebar.
   
2. Choose Software Update.
   
3. Select Update Now.
   

Apple TV 4K

1. Open the Settings app.
   
2. Select System > Software Update.
   
3. Select Download and Install.
   

Don’t Exceed Device Limits

Apple TV will display errors if the overall number of simultaneous streams exceeds six. If you share your Apple TV subscription with friends or family, you might want to confirm that isn’t the case.

Check Payment Details

Billing issues could cause the “Video Not Available” error on Apple TV, so check if your payment information with Apple is up-to-date.

iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
   
2. Tap your Apple ID and select Payment & Shipping.
   
3. Tap on a payment method to update it.
   

Mac

1. Open the System Settings app and select your Apple ID on the top right.
   
2. Choose Payment & Shipping.
   
3. Update your credit card details.
   

Apple TV 4K

You can’t update your payment information on the Apple TV 4K. Instead, you must do that via an iPhone or Mac. If you use an Android or Windows computer, sign in to tv.apple.com through a web browser, select your Apple ID at the top right, and go to Settings > Manage Payments.

Check Parental Control Settings

If the “Video Not Available” error only appears for some TV shows or movies on Apple TV, it’s probably because parental control settings block them. Check for and lift any restrictions.

iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time.
   
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
   
3. Tap Store, Web, Siri, & Game Center Content.
   
4. Set Movies and TV Shows to Allow All.
   

Mac

1. Open the System Settings app and select the Screen Time sidebar option.
   
2. Select Content & Privacy.
   
3. Select Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content.
   
4. Select Store Restrictions.
   
5. Set Movies and TV Shows to Allow All.
   

Apple TV 4K

1. Open the Settings app.
   
2. Go to General > Restrictions.
   
3. Scroll down and set Movies and TV Shows to Allow All.
   

Use a Good DNS

Switching to an alternative DNS (Domain Name System) like Google DNS can improve how the Apple TV app connects to its servers. You visit the DNS configuration area for a Wi-Fi connection on your device and replace the existing DNS servers with the following:

• 8.8.8.8
• 8.8.4.4

iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi.
   
2. Tap the Info icon next to the active Wi-Fi connection.
   
3. Scroll down and tap Configure DNS.
   
4. Tap Manual.
   
5. Delete the DNS servers and add Google DNS.
   

Mac

1. Open the System Settings and select Wi-Fi on the sidebar.
   
2. Select Details next to the active Wi-Fi connection.
   
3. Select the DNS category.
   
4. Remove the DNS servers and add Google DNS.
   

Apple TV

1. Open the Settings app.
   
2. Go to Network > Wi-Fi.
   
3. Select the active Wi-Fi network and choose Configure DNS.
   
4. Select Manual.
   
5. Delete the DNS servers and add Google DNS.
   

Pick a Lower Resolution

You probably wouldn’t like this one, but picking a lower streaming resolution helps some people bypass the “Video Not Available” error on Apple TV.

iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap TV.
   
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
   
3. Select Data Saver.
   

Mac

1. Open the TV app and select TV > Settings on the menu bar.
   
2. Select the Playback tab.
   
3. Set Streaming Options to Data Saver.
   

Apple TV

1. Open the Settings app and select Video and Audio.
   
2. Select Format.
   
3. Set the resolution to 1080p.
   

Reset the Apple TV App

A corrupt TV cache can also be a factor, so try clearing it. If you’re on an iPhone or iPad, you can offload the TV to flush its cache. The TV app for Mac comes with a built-in option for clearing cache data.

iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap General.
   
2. Tap iPhone Storage.
   
3. Tap TV.
   
4. Tap Offload App and confirm your action.
   
5. Tap Reinstall App.
   

Mac

1. Open Apple TV and select TV > Settings on the menu bar.
   
2. Select the Advanced tab.
   
3. Select Reset Cache > OK.
   

Apple TV 4K

You can’t clear the TV app’s cache on the Apple TV 4K. Instead, try force-quitting the TV app.

1. Double-click the TV button on the Siri Remote.
   
2. Locate the TV card.
   
3. Swipe up on the clickpad to close the app.
   
4. Relaunch the TV app via the Home Screen.
   

Disable HDMI-CEC (Apple TV 4K Only)

If you’re on an Apple TV 4K, disabling HDMI-CEC (a feature that helps you manage HDMI-connected devices through a single remote) might help fix the “Video Not Available” error. To do that:

1. Open the Settings app.
   
2. Select Remotes and Devices.
   
3. Select the Control TVs and Receivers option and turn it off.
   

Note: For best results, you should also disable HDMI-CEC on your TV—check its manual for instructions.

Contact Apple Support

If none of the above fixes help and the “Video Not Available” error continues, you’re dealing with an Apple TV issue that only Apple can fix. It’s time to contact Apple Support.