Apple TV (2nd and 3rd Generation) - Home Sharing Not Working but Airplay Does

Hi everyone,
This has been a bit of a ongoing problem, so I'll provide a bit of background.
I am running a Mac Mini (Late 2012) Running Yosemite 10.10.1 as a media server running 10TB of Movies, TV Shows and Music off a NAS Drive. Running iTunes 12.0.1.26. Main hard drive is a 256GB SSD.
I also have 5 Apple TV's in the house, 2 are 3rd Generation (running iOS 7.0.2), 3 are 2nd Generation (running iOS 6.2.1).
The goal is to watch the TV Shows and Music through Home Sharing.
Home sharing works perfectly through the 3rd Generation Apple TV's, as does Airplay. I never have a problem with these. Mac Mini (or any other device for that manner) has no issues accessing the NAS.
The 2nd Generation Apple TV's are a continual source of frustration. They are connected to the network, can access the iTunes store, can accept Airplay signals from the Mac Mini, iPads, iPhones, etc. Can even detect the other (2nd and 3rd Gen Apple TV's). But frequently, when I try and connect to Home Sharing, I receive the error message "Cannot connect to Home Sharing", even though if I jump on the Mac Mini, I can airplay the content to that Apple TV just fine.
Is this just a 2nd Generation Apple TV Issue (to make us go an upgrade all our Apple TV's to 3rd Generation)?
I have completed the following troubleshooting steps, to no success.
1) Reset the Apple TV's (Multiple Times)
2) Sign out of Home Sharing\iCloud\iTunes Account, reset, and sign back in.
3) Restore the Apple TV to the latest firmware and set up again.
4) Test the device on Wireless and Wired Network.
5) Reset all network infrastructure.
6) Power Cycle the Apple TV's for 15 minutes.
7) Reset iTunes.
8) Sign out of Home Sharing\iCloud\iTunes Account in iTunes, Reset the Mac Mini, and Sign back in.
9) Reinstall iTunes.
10) Reset the Mac Mini and NAS.
11) Reformat the Mac Mini and update to latest operating system (Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10.1).
12) Try home sharing from a Windows PC (Windows 8.1, x64).
Literally out of ideas. Am I chasing a Unicorn on this one? Would love some help.
Thanks!

Good to know your Apple IDs are fine.
So I've been experimenting with de-authorizing and re-authorizing computers and devices and the symptoms you are experiencing are reminiscent of devices and computers unable to authenticate with Apple's servers.
What I would do is try de-authorizing and re-authorizing computers and devices to see if things return to normal. Start with the computers first. You can quickly de-authorize the computers by logging in to your iTunes Store account and using the 'Deauthorize All' button. After clicking the button wait a few minutes for it to propagate. You will know that the computers have been de-authorize when the Account Information page says "0 computers are authorized to play content purchased with this Apple ID." Other devices like Apple TV and iPads and such do not count on that list.
Once de-authorized, re-authorize them from the 'Store' menu in the iTunes app. You will know all three computers have been re-authorized when the Account Information page says "3 computers are authorized to play content purchased with this Apple ID." Now try and play your content with Apple TV. If it still doesn't work turn Home Sharing off on the Apple TV and then re-enable it using your Apple ID.
Hopefully this brings back your Home Sharing functionality.

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Home sharing not working but airplay is

I was watching some videos streaming from my MacBook Pro to my Apple TV (4.2.2) and after a while it refused to stream.
I reset my DSL router, my Airport AP, rebooted the MacBook Pro, hard booted the Apple TV and so far it won't stream from any of the three Macs I have set up for Home Sharing.
Airplay works fine. Streaming Movie previews from the iTunes Store works fine. Streaming Purchased Content from the iTunes store does not work. The Remote App from my iTouch and iPad both have no problem controlling the Apple TV.
All I get is that swirly 'waiting' animation. This is the same regardless of whether it is purchased (protected) content or not.
I've got the latest versions of iTunes on all the Macs and am using the same account on each.
One thing I haven't tried yet -- the account I'm using is an @mac.com, not @me.com. I read that these are supposed to be equivalent but could there be something squirrelly going on with that?

Good to know your Apple IDs are fine.
So I've been experimenting with de-authorizing and re-authorizing computers and devices and the symptoms you are experiencing are reminiscent of devices and computers unable to authenticate with Apple's servers.
What I would do is try de-authorizing and re-authorizing computers and devices to see if things return to normal. Start with the computers first. You can quickly de-authorize the computers by logging in to your iTunes Store account and using the 'Deauthorize All' button. After clicking the button wait a few minutes for it to propagate. You will know that the computers have been de-authorize when the Account Information page says "0 computers are authorized to play content purchased with this Apple ID." Other devices like Apple TV and iPads and such do not count on that list.
Once de-authorized, re-authorize them from the 'Store' menu in the iTunes app. You will know all three computers have been re-authorized when the Account Information page says "3 computers are authorized to play content purchased with this Apple ID." Now try and play your content with Apple TV. If it still doesn't work turn Home Sharing off on the Apple TV and then re-enable it using your Apple ID.
Hopefully this brings back your Home Sharing functionality.

I am trying to restore my Apple TV. I followed the instructions in the article "Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Restoring your Apple TV", but iTunes does not display devices. What do I need to do to see it?

I am trying to restore my Apple TV because when updating, it showed the USB cable point an arrow to the iTunes app icon. I call the apple support team and they said to connect the micro usb cable to my computer. But iTunes isn't showing the devices screen so I cannot do anything. Maybe it's the cable or something. Help.

Have you tried the following:
Disconnect the HDMI, power and USB cables
Wait for 10 seconds
Reconnect the USB cable
Immediately hold the menu and play buttons on the remote for 15 seconds
Apple TV 2 should now start flashing the LED wildly and appear in iTunes with the restore button.
If it still doesn’t show up, maybe it's your cable (even if it works just fine with other devices). Sometimes you need to wiggle the USB plug or put a little weight on it in order to have a reliable connection. Or just try another cable if you have one, sometimes that helps too.
If that still doesn't work, try the above but add the power cord after step 3 (and before step 4).
@Hecumi: this goes for your 2nd gen Apple TV as well, incl. the last tip concerning the power cord.
Hope this helps.

Windows XP and Windows 7 home sharing not working at all

Had a really old laptop with XP that I used basically only for iTunes. Now want to use homesharing to get all my music/apps from the old XP to a new, Windows 7 laptop. Both laptops are authorised to use my Apple ID and I've authorised and de-authorised it several times. I have activated and deactivated homesharing on both computers several times. I have also removed Firewalls from both computers, and I have made sure the "Bonjour" service is activated on both computers. Nothing is working, as soon as I click "done" after activating homesharing it disappears from the lefthand side column of the iTunes window on both computers. Please help I'm going to Uni in 6 days and don't wanna transfer this all manually!

I was able to resolve my issue. Here's how:
Did a lot of research on this. I have a Linksys WRT120N router where the only device not on Wifi was my Windows 7 PC (it was plugged in with an Ethernet cable while everything else was on Wifi). Having fiddled with the router settings to no avail, I went out and bought a Wireless USB adapter to put the Windows 7 PC on Wifi.
When I set that up, I could now see my Windows 7 library on the Apple TVs. However, when I went into the library, it was stuck on "Loading Library" in perpetuity.
I looked in my list of Windows services running (Start -> Control Panel -> Search for "Services") and noticed that, even though I disabled the Windows Firewall in the System and Security settings, the Windows Firewall service was still running. I disabled the service (right click -> properties) and restarted the computer. Voila, it works now.
It is possible that the problem was the Windows Firewall service (not the Wireless), but I've read countless posts where people had issues with the devices being on wired and Wifi and not seeing each other. As such, I haven't (and don't plan to) tested it back with just the Ethernet cable. If you're having my issue, you can try that first.
I should also note that when this wasn't working, I was also unable to use my iPhone to pair as a remote with iTunes. It would pair but the iPhone would be stuck in "Looking for" when I tried to control the library. This is now also fixed after doing the above.
Hope this helps anyone else frustrated out there.

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PLEASE HELP! New Apple user and looking to purchase a used 2nd or 3rd generation ipod touch.
what's the difference between 2nd and 3rd generation?
apparently I am told that the 2nd gen does not have the capabilities of listening without headphone? and the 3rd gen does??

Hi maximumslowness - (great name),
The 2nd gen Touch has one internal speaker, so you can listen to it, (both left and right channels) without headphones.
However - it's a small single speaker and it is not very loud. It's not designed for quality listening (neither is the speaker on the 3rd gen as far as I know) and probably will not be adequate if there is a lot of background noise nearby.
One option is to drop the iPod (not literally!) into an iPod Docking station so that the sound can play out through a self-contained mains-powered amplified speaker, which will also charge your iPod. There are many on the market. On the bottom of the iPod is the 30-pin dock connector which can be used to feed the audio to a docking station. Another option is simply to use a cable to connect from the headphone socket to the audio input on any amplifier.
Yet another is to plug in a small fold-up style speakers, such as
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Folding-Speakers-iPods-Players/dp/B000A1QKNU/re f=sr_1_84?ie=UTF8&qid=1332326622&sr=8-84
or http://www.amazon.co.uk/Generation-Capsule-iPhone-Laptop-Speaker/dp/B002XNO7FQ/r ef=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1332326656&sr=8-6
I've no idea how good the sound is, you'll have to judge that for yourself. The links are both to a UK store, but most countries will have a similar option.
I do not recieve any form of payment or compensatiion for the above links.
Message was edited by: the fiend

Does the Ipad 2 3rd generation have the two cameras? What is the difference between the Ipad 2 , 2nd and 3rd generation?

Does the Ipad 2 3rd generation have the two cameras? What is the difference between the Ipad 2 , 2nd and 3rd generation?

All iPads have the camera except the very first generation. You can only buy an iPad2, the new iPad (4th gen) and the iPad Mini now. You can compare for yourself.
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Iphone and ipod losing sync with shared itunes library - home sharing not working

I hope this can help some people who have had problems with syncing their IOS devices to their shared itunes library.
Having had a lot of trouble with syncing and sharing my itunes libraries from two PC's to an iphone 4 and 4S via "itunes home sharing", I decided to try and find a solution using typical search engine search phrases. I found a number of issues similar to mine that pointed toward local network protocols such as media serving, and the ability or lack of ability to use these protocols by DSL routers.
My solution was simple, change the DSL router. My ISP supplied DSL router was the problem, not being able to identify that the PC's hosting my itunes libraries become media servers when itunes home sharing is switched on. My DSL box is a Tesco Broadband branded/firmware Thomson TG580. As a test I tried out a box from my previous supplier, an O2 branded/firmware Thomson/Technicolor TG582n. Although this wont work with my ISP connection, it will work as a wirless/wired router. As soon as I connected this all together, it worked first time without any hassle. I was mirroring my shared HD videos via the itunes home shared library to my 4S perfectly.
I know this may not help most people, but if you have the chance to test another wireless router, give it a go. Having had a good look, I can't find an Apple compatibility list. Maybe this is something they could do, or maybe someone can point out a site that may have this info?
I am by no means an Apple Fanboy, but I have to say that a lot of the complaints about the home sharing between itunes, ipods, iphones, Apple TV etc. may simply be the router and not itunes or the IOS devices.
My setup is PC's running the latest itunes with Win 7 32 & 64 bit and my IOS devices on 6, I also tested an iphone 4 on IOS 5 that worked perfectly. My 4S is now a perfect HDMI media player/streamer for my itunes music and videos encoded to H.264 using Handbrake.

Assuimg you have the latest ATV firmware, at the bottom of the general settings menu on your apple TV there is an option to reset your apple TV. Try that and then reset it up back on your network.
Before testing ensure the correct time/date/nearest City is setup in the ATV settings and re-enter your apple ID/password and turn on home sharing. You can connect to your network either via wifi or cable and see if it then works.
Resetting the ATV and then checking and re-entering all my settings worked for me.
I guess if not, then the next step is to disable any firewall on your PC and see if that works after the PC is rebooted.
Hope this helps.
Regards... Ken Griffiths

Home sharing not working on iTunes 11.0.2.26

I recently updated iTunes to 11.0.2.26 on Windows XP and none of my devices are able to home share. In the previous iTunes version I could. I have an iPhone 5 (6.1.3), iPad 4th Gen and Apple TV 3rd Gen. None of them will share. I can log in with no error messages, but home sharing just isn't an option in Music or Videos or Apple TV. I know others have had this issue. I have reset network connections, logged in and out, restarted, rebooted and all of the other suggestions that I've read online, but nothing seems to work.
Can anyone offer any advice? Can I downgrade to a previous version of iTunes? Thanks!

Hello SkyNinja,
Take a look at this article named Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring found here http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4215.
If the AirPlay icon doesn't appear
Check for the AirPlay icon in the recently used apps section on your iOS device, or in iTunes on your computer (as in these articles about how to use AirPlay and how to use AirPlay Mirroring). The icon will only appear if your device or computer is logged onto a Wi-Fi network which has an AirPlay-enabled recipient, such as Apple TV (2nd generation or 3rd generation).
If you are still unable to see the AirPlay icon, try one of the following steps:
Verify that your AirPlay-enabled devices have the most up-to-date software or firmware.
Verify that your iOS device has Wi-Fi turned on. Enable Wi-Fi on your iOS device by going to Settings > Wi-Fi.
Verify that all your AirPlay-enabled devices are logged on to the same home Wi-Fi network (check the home network names on your devices to confirm).
If trying to AirPlay, or AirPlay mirror, to your Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation), ensure that AirPlay is enabled on your Apple TV as well. You can enable or disable AirPlay on Apple TV in the AirPlay menu: Settings > AirPlay
Check Internet or network connectivity on all affected devices.
Temporarily disable firewalls (both network and local) and security software. Security software and firewalls may block ports that AirPlay uses to stream content. You can often resolve issues with security software by updating, correctly configuring, or uninstalling security software.
If attempting to use AirPlay from a third-party app or a website from your Safari app on your iOS device, confirm that the app or website is AirPlay compatible (refer to the developers of the app or website for additional information).
Also make sure your Apple ID is signed in, and the computer is authorized.
iTunes Store: About authorization and deauthorization
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1420
Cheers,
Sterling

ITunes 10.6.3 home sharing not working properly

iTunes 10.6.3 home sharing not working properly. I can access with my three ATV2's watch a movie later that same day it tries to access and ATV2 just keeps trying and never gets through to the library. If I restart iTunes its fine then later can't access. I am running iTunes 10.6.3 on a i7 Mac Mini with 10.7.4. Sole job is to be iTunes server and an occasional HTPC with remote buddy running. I disabled remote buddy ajax remote feature, and file sharing is on so I can load new tracks form other macs Thats it, a vanilla install with all updates.. No problem prior but not sure if problem free period was with 10.6 earler versions or 10.5 versions. I update as warnings to do so come up. The remote app has same problem accessing the Home Share. I disabled home sharing on my iPhone and set to access the old method with 4 digit code and sees all the time and will play to my express base stations so seems to be home sharing issue because iPhone apps with home sharing on and ATV2s have issue accessing.
I'm never home but when I am I use this equipment loads and this weekend not reliable at all. I have firewall disabled, and setup is as before and is working fine. I am using Mini by ethernet and using AEBS 1st generation gigabit as router only wired to cable modem and whole house ethernet attached, latest version AEBS gigabit as a wireless bridge and 2 prior version 11n expresses and a 11g express, all expresses are set to wireless off and are connected to ethernet and then to a stereo in 3 different rooms.
I can't be only one. Considering downgrading to last version of 10.5 but not sure how to do this.
How many of you are having trouble?
Any resolutions?
How to report to Apple?
How to downgrade safely? Or is it 10.7.4?

I ran into the specific problem in another thread. There are more than 100 connections from the apple TV's to iTunes. You can do a netstat -a (windows or Mac), and verify the problem. iTunes is smart enough to stop allowing more than 100 connections but stupid to allow the ATV to create so many connections.
Now for what you really want! Set all of your ATVs to wifi only. Even setting the iTunes host to wifi might help also. I think that wifi is more unreliable, and forces connections to drop, keeping the count under 100.
I also turned off ip v6. That could help you also. I originally had problems on a Mac mini, and built a windows 7 box to try to fix the problem. The wifi trick worked on both platforms. Several of us have bug reports into apple. I have a wired house also, and am very angry to NEED to use slow wifi to overcome this problem. The ATV gen 3 has been able to keep up with 1080p over wifi, so it doesn't hurt too much. What really hurts is spending over 40 hours troubleshooting this bug.

TS1702 My app store, Apple ID, safari, and most other apps do not work after upgrading to iSO 6, How do i solve this problem?

My app store, Apple ID, safari, and most other apps do not work after upgrading to iSO 6, How do i solve this problem? Can somebody help me please?

The App store is a problem for many and I have not seen a solution.
What is "wrong" with your Apple ID?
Try the following:
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Reset iPod touch: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Restore from backup
- Restore to factory settings/new iPod.

IPod touch 4th generation, home button not working at all, Help?

IPod touch 4th Generation , home button not working at all, Help?

- Try restoring your iPod to rule out a software problem.
- The try:
fix for Home button
Fix a broken, unresponsive or sticky iPhone Home Button
iPad 2 home button fail: Apple Support Communities
You can turn one Assistive Touch in Settings>General Accessibility to use the screen instead. See chapter 30 of the users guide
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If under warranty make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store.

Home shareing not working

home sharing not working in version 10.3.6

Home sharing is only supported on version of iTunes that run on OS X 10.5 or later. You could go to the app store and purchase the Mountain Lion update for $19.99, then update iTunes and then it should be easy to set up.

Does Home Sharing not work through a network extender?

Home sharing seems to cut out whenever I get into range of my network extender (Airport Express).
Here's my setup, it's pretty standard: Cable modem wired to Airport Extreme router, which is connected wirelessly to the MBP with my iTunes hard drive. All of this is in my living room.
I use the Airport Express to extend my network into the bedrooms.
Whenever I'm home sharing from my iTunes library on my iPhone, if I walk to my bedroom, it cuts out. It usually crashes the iPod app. If it doesn't completely crash it, I can get it to restart buffering if I walk back to the living room.
Does Home Sharing not work with wireless extenders? Do I have to change something in the set up?

However, when a device goes from being attached to one wireless device to another, there is often an interruption as the device must change the radio connection to the network. There is a brief period of no connectivity (a second or two)
Try starting the share while in your bedroom instead of the living room. I'll bet it works.
Makes sense - so it's a bug in the iPhone OS, that it's unable to recover from temporary interruptions to wifi connection?
However, I'm not so sure. Starting the share in the bedroom works as you suggest (since 4.3.2 - didn't under 4.3.1) - but as soon as you go back to the living room and the iPhone connects to a different base station the music stops playing. Note also that the shared library itself ceases to work. So for example you can't be in one room (on the extender) and add the shared library (without actually playing anything yet) then move to another room (on the base station) and play a track from the shared library. It just plays dead and you have to explicitly reload the shared library to get anything to play.
So is it maybe a bug also with iTunes that it can't keep up with a shared library client moving from one wifi station to another?
How do you report these things to the people that matter by the way?

Home sharing not working between itunes and apple tv, I've read all help articles I could find... still nothing

Hey there!
Here's every detail of the problem:
1- My iTunes (10.5.2) doesn't give me any options for apple tv in any menu. Some troubleshooting article I remember said something like «go to Settings - Apple TV - Always Search for Apple TVs» or something like that, yet my itunes settings have NOTHING for Apple TV.
2- Following all setup instructions and usual troubleshooting solutions, i KNOW that all options and settings available to me are set correctly and everything should work normally, yet my iTunes shows no recognition of my Apple TV AND my Apple TV «Computers» menu is nothing but a «Home Sharing is turned on, make sure that all Home Sharing devices are using the same Apple ID account» message.
3- Of course, yes, all my devices ARE setup with the same Apple ID account, with Home Sharing turned on everywhere. Also I'm not using a Firewall, and none of my devices have any trouble connecting to my one and only router, all at once.
So I figure the main problem is my itunes acting like Apple TV doesn't exist. Any ideas/solutions?
Thanks in advance.

Sharing Stopped working again over night.
I went to Apple Support Artical TS2972
As soon as I did this Home Sharing started working
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2972
Firewall Section
5. Check Firewall Settings
If you have a firewall enabled in your router or computer, make sure that the firewall is not blocking communication between your computers. Home Sharing uses TCP port 3689 and UDP port 5353 to communicate with shared iTunes libraries.
In addition, Apple TV and Mac computers will use port 123 to set the time automatically. Incorrect date and time on either the computer or Apple TV can cause errors for Home Sharing and connections in general.
If you are unsure whether your router has a firewall or the required ports open, test additional devices or another network to help isolate the issue. If the devices tested work on another home network, it is your router or network configuration.
For Mac OS X, you don't have to edit the port addresses, but make sure the firewall in Apple () menu > System Preferences > Security > Firewall are not set to:
Block all incoming connections
Allow only essential services
If you use another security/firewall software on your computer or router, follow this article or contact the manufacturer or check the documentation on how to open TCP ports 123 and 3689 as well as UDP ports 123 and 5353.
It made sense to me, but its still puzzling me after restarting a router would (in my first attempt) resolve the issue for a day. This this time I applied the port forwarding TCP and UDP ports and saved the settings in the DLink DIR-655 and both my iPad2 and iPhone 3GS were now again finding the share. My ATV2 is also now accepting the Share.
Tommorrow will be the true test.

Home Sharing not working between wireless PC's / devices and ethernet wired PC's on the same router.

Home Sharing is not working between wireless PC's / devices and ethernet wired PC's on the same router. I installed a new Verizon FIOS ActionTec MI424WR GigE wireless / ethernet router, replacing the original FIOS router. With the old router Home Sharing worked fine across and among all iOS and Windows wired and wireless devices. With the new router Home Sharing works between and among the Wired PC's but not between the wired PC's and the Wireless connected PC's or iOS devices. Home Sharing also works between and among the wireless connected PC's and iOS decices but not between them and the wired PC's.
Only the router was changed. No changes were made to any of the devices except all were updated with the latest version of iTunes 10.7.0.21 and the iSO devices were updated to iOS vrsion 6.01. Three PC's are wired and all are running Windows 7. There also is a Windows Home Server connected to the router by ethernet port. It does not run iTunes but does provide WebDAV services to my iOS devices. This works fine. Two PC's are wireless, one running Windows 7 and one running Windows 8. All of the PC's are connected to the same (new) router via it's ethernet ports and it's wireless access point. Two of the wired PC's are connected via a high-speed ethernet hup that is connected to the router (Home Sharing works fine between the two PC's on the hub and the PC on the router). All wired and wireless devices on the router are visible and members of the router's Home/Office virtual network.
All of the PC's are visible in the Windows network and all shared files are accessable from all PC's, both wired and wireless.
Obviously the router seems to be the issue, something between the ethernet and the wireless access point components. I checked the settings and found nothing that would prevent Home Sharing between the wired and wireless devices. There is no setting that isolates the wireless network. I have done the following:
Read the router user manual and checked all the settings
Rebooted the router and tested.
Turned off the router's firewall and tested.
Home Sharing is turned on all the devices and all use the same Apple ID.
Restarted iTunes and tested.
Verified iTunes is "Allowed" in each PC's firewall.
Again, I can Home Share between the two wireless PC's but not between either of the wireless PC's and any of the wired PC's. I can Home Share between my iPads and iPhones and either of the two wireless PC's but not with any of the wired PC's. I can Home Share between any of the wired PC's but not between any wired PC and a wireless PC or iOS device.
I hope someone may have had a similar problem and has a fix suggestion. I'm stumped! I have a;so contacked ActionTec and awaiting an answer.

Solution from ActionTec is:
Log into your router.
Click the Advanced icon
Cclick Yes
Click on the IGMP Proxy
Select Disable
Click Apply

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd Generation) - Home Sharing Not Working but Airplay Does

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