Syncing Problem - firewall - port 3689

Hi there,
when trying to sync my ATV, iTunes says "the Apple TV is not responding. Check that any firewall software running on this computer has been set to allow communication on port 3689"
It happened for the first time, I didn't change any settings neither in the computer not in the ATV.
I followed the steps described in the articles
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1447
and
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1810.
The firewall setting allow all incoming connections, but the same alert box appears, when I try to sync.
Does anybody know what am I doing wrong?

My solution is below - some preamble first for those despairing as I was!
I had exactly the same issue - purchased ATV yesterday to add to my iMac with Time Capsule WiFi network setup. ATV connected perfectly to the Web but I could not get it to sync with my iMac's iTunes library. I wanted to stream rather than sync but couldn't do either. Tried all previous suggestions - PRAM resets, Firewall to "Allow all incoming connections", router changes - all to no avail.
Console utility was reporting in its logs that my iMac was denying the ATV access.
I'm lucky enough to be friends and neighbours with an excellent network admin who deals with Macs as well as PCs but we still couldn't figure it (I'm an SQL DBA so know a little about networks too). He also has ATV and streams with no problem and had no installation or configuration issues.
We wirelessly connected my ATV to his iTunes library and it worked first time, streaming like a dream. This ruled out ATV as the issue and put my iMac completely in the frame; we still couldn't coax mine into accepting comms from ATV.
Finally tried the NoobProof freeware utility. I used it to specifically set port 3689 to "Allow" i.e. wipe out any existing settings and set the **** thing to "Allow". Bingo. Everything now works.
It could be something I've done over the past 18 months since I switched to block that port so I cannot point blame at the iMac or ATV.
Now it's working I have to say I think ATV is just superb, another quality product from Apple (I didn't think that way about 24 hours ago though!).
Take-away: if you're still getting the 3689 error then please try the NoobProof util (or something similar like WaterRoof) to at least rule out a genuine firewall rule is blocking the communication.
I hope this helps someone - when I was tearing my hair out I found plenty of reports of this problem but not too many suggestions. Please write how you get on and any success you have with this really frustrating problem. Best of luck.

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ATV not shown in devices list and firewall port 3689

Having a nightmare with ATV. I have searched and found some help for some of the ATV problems I have had in other threads but seems that a couple of issues remain unsolved for most people.
I have just purchased an ATV updated it to latest software; at first had the Samsung TV HDMI problem which can be solved by telling the TV that the connection is a PC (seems to alter settings for that HDMI port on Samsung TVs).
All was well for 30 mins (kids got stuck in and started watching a film that was on my itunes library) then ATV lost connection to itunes media (still had network and internet for movie trailers). Tried various things reset ATV and quit itunes etc and got the firewall port 3689 error message in itunes.
Tried a variety of stuff to fix the 3689 issue including: fixing permissions on imac HD; re-installing itunes, adding port forwarding to my BT homehub, telling itunes to share my library, adding firewall rule in OSX for itunes. Then reset and tried again, this time it worked for several hours started to sync etc. Then paused ATV in middle of film and imac went into sleep mode....after this ATV stopped seeing itunes media and imac went into circle of death.
Since reboot of imac and reset of ATV nothing works; can't see ATV in itunes at all, tried all the normal reboot type stuff.
Starting to get frustrated ATV seems flakey expected this to be normal apple experience but so far I feel like I do at work in Microsoft **** where nothing makes sense and I'm rebooting all the time ...any ideas ...BT homehub is suspect but seems odd that it worked for hours then stopped !!

OK - rebooted BThomehub and forced ATV off network and back on and now itunes can see ATV and is syncing again.
The common failure on both previous occasions was pausing a film for few minutes and imac going into sleep mode on second time.
Anyone seen this before ... ?

Apple TV not responding, check firewall port 3689

Hi,
I have this problem: "Apple TV not responding" with my PC wired to the router (Thomson Speedtouch 780i WL). I have read all the topics on this issue and tried everything: no success! With my XP laptop I can make a wireless connection and everything works fine. But not with the PC where I have all my music and photo archives on.
Now I have a clean installed Vista and the problem remains the same. How is this possible?
- the firewall port 3689 is open
- i have rebooted everyting
- i have made a new connection with the apple tv
- apple tv software is updated
I want to get this thing working. Could you please help me?
Thanks, Sliek.

The problem is not with the router nor the firewall. And with you having the issue on a PC and I having it on a Mac, this rules out the OS. That leaves a networking problem in either iTunes or the AppleTV. Or most likely a dropped packet of information between the two.
Using NetBarrier I have watched the interaction between my Mac and the AppleTV. The sync occurs in three separate phases. The first phase initiates communications via port 3689 and a few high order ports (49xxx - 6xxxx). After this is finished about a dozen ports are opened by the AppleTV (all high order) for a couple of minutes. When these ports close and after a substantial wait, the AppleTV opens a whole s**t-load of ports (well over 200) and the actual sync occurs. It is this third phase that fails when I fail the sync. Or iTunes gets stuck waiting for a response from the AppleTV. I think that the AppleTV is dropping the ball and failing to respond properly.

Firewall Port 3689 blocks sync?

Hi there,
I have an apple TV and an iMac and when i want to sync them i usually get the error message "sync not possible...check if a firewall blocks port 3869" (or so, message comes of course in my native language german).
However, i dont have a firewall, the firewall is not activated in system settings and when i change something in the apple TV s<nc options and try again it will sync
any ideas?
same problem with airport AND ethernet
thanks alex

I was having the same problem ...
Sync from iTunes (MAC G5 / OS X 1.5.2) to Apple TV (V 2.0.2) fails with "Apple TV is not responding.
And the suggestion to check the FIREWALL settings on the computer (running iTunes) for PORT 3689.
I found that I could resolve the issue by using the "SECURITY TOOL" of "Systems Preferences" and choosing the "FIREWALL" tab.
(1) Choose the mode of operation "Set access for specific services and applications"... then
(2) use "+" tool to add an entry for the iTunes application (Allow incoming connections) ... then
(3) when you select the "+" tool, a dialog will open to allow you to navigate to application location, select iTunes, and a new rule entry will be created in your FIREWALL.
(4) Restart iTunes ... and you should be able to SYNC from iTunes to Apple TV with the FIREWALL ON.
In the past, for most applications, Apple has usually added the required application access rule to the FIREWALL. Apparently there has been a revision in this practice.

Fix for slow Apple TV sync or stream (port 3689 alert)

If you use Intego VirusBarrier X6, syncing or streaming to your Apple TV may be extremely slow or stop altogether. Your network connection may also be broken. The same may also be true with other virus protection or internet security software.
In many cases, you may receive an alert message saying: Check that any firewall software running on this computer has been set to allow communication on port 3689.
Here is how to modify your VirusBarrier Firewall to open port 3689. If you use other security products, you will need to check with the vendor for specific instructions.
1) In VirusBarrier X6, go to the Firewall section and set the Mode to Advanced.
2) Click the "+ icon" at the bottom left of the window. This will add a new "untitled settings" entry to the list on the left of the window.
3) Right click or control-click in the rules window (the blue and white striped area of the window). Choose "Insert Standard Set" and select whatever setting you were using before (for example: Client Only, Client Local Server, which is the default setting). This will insert the standard rules for that set.
4) Now you must create a new rule for the Apple TV. Click the + button (bottom left). The new rule window will appear.
-- You can name it anything you like, but something that tells you what the rule is for would be recommended. For example: Apple TV.
-- Set the source as "Local Network", the destination should already by "My Mac".
-- The 'Service' option is where you assign what service this rule applies to. However, there will not be an Apple TV option in the list. You must create a new service. Click the '+ sign' next to the services drop down menu. A "new service" window will appear. Name the service something appropriate for it's function (for example: Open port 3689), set the Protocol to TCP, click Single Port, and enter 3689 for the Port.
-- Leave the Interface set to Any, and make sure Allow is enabled.
-- Allow should be enabled, then click OK.
5) This new service you just created will now be at the bottom of the Rules list of your new "untitled settings". You MUST drag it to the top of the list (making it rule number 01).
6) Click the button next to your new "untitled settings" to activate them. Apple TV should now be able to sync (or stream) without problem.
Message was edited by: Meikle

I am having the same problem since upgrading to ATV 2.3 and iTunes 8.0.2.20 for a PC. Since people are having this issue with Mac iTunes, my guess is that it is ATV 2.x that's the problem. Everything stopped syncing as far as I could tell. Apple Support was totally unhelpful. Wanted me to pay for extended care even since I bought my ATV last year. Told me it was "buyer beware" with respect to updates, and that my only recourse was to role back to the factory default (version 1.1) - that is unless I wanted to pay for support. So I asked her if she'd heard of the problem, and she said no. Excuse me? What would I be paying for then? Why can't this company support the piece of junk software they just released??? They are shooting themselves in the foot because now that I've rolled back to 1.1, I can't buy the new content they're pushing from the iTunes store. I've never been this put off by a company and the false advertising that "it just works."
Message was edited by: Win on a Mac

Apple TV Not Responding - Firewall Port 3689?

I just purchased the Apple TV, and went through the setup. Everything seemed to go smoothly until I tried to sync through iTunes and I got an error saying:
Apple TV is not responding, check that any firewall software is set to allow communications on port 3689
Any idea what is going on? Could I have entered the password to my Airport Extreme wrong? I am on a Macbook Pro under 10.5.4.
Thanks

Well I say hijack because if the ATV connected to wireless, nothing else could. The computer sharing my iTunes library would stay connected for about 20 minutes, then whatever I was watching would freeze and then connection was lost. Had to reboot everything to get the connection back up. To figure it out I just realized that when the ATV was connected, it was the only thing connecting. iphone, desktop pc, mac mini, and laptop pc would all lose connection. I think I jumped the gun posting I got it working though, because after I set the reserves in DHCP it worked long enough to get my hopes up...now the other devices still have connections, but iTunes stops sharing about 20 minutes into whatever I'm watching. Very frustrating. Other forums are telling me to buy an airport, i may try it just to see if it works, but think its pretty shady if thats what I have to do to get this working right.
BTW I'm using a Linksys WRT160N (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=LProductC2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1175239516849&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisit orWrapper) router. WEP enabled for now but was and will use WPA TKIP.

Cannot sync; receiving a message that firewall is blocking port 3689

I am receiving an error message when I try to sync my Apple TV. The error message says that a firewall is blocking port 3689. I have checked the settings I can find, but have been unable to find the source of the problem. Has anyone had this problem and if so, how did you resolve this?

Thanks Chenks! At least I know I'm not nuts. I have done exactly what you suggest. Itunes is in the list and I went the extra step and added port 3689. Still no luck. I've checked my McAfee settings and anything else I can find. I am at the point of resetting everything to the defaults to see if I can get around this. This is so odd as the Apple TV has been working beautifully, then, BAM! An error code and I can't synce.

My first generation AppleTV will not sync with iTunes anymore. I get an error message that says: "The Apple TV is not responding Check that any firewall software running on this comptuter has been set to allow communication on port 3689" firewall is off

My first generation AppleTV will not sync with iTunes anymore. I get an error message that says: "The Apple TV is not responding Check that any firewall software running on this comptuter has been set to allow communication on port 3689" firewall is turned off.. Any ideas?

Thanks Rudegar,
I only synch and do not stream off of my 1st Gen AppleTV
I will try with ethernet but will be a pain in the butt if i can not fix it with wifi for long term fix
I may end up trying to do a named IP address vs DHCP for this appleTV (not sure if i can do both and do not want to remove DHCP as i have a bunch of sensors and other devices that I prefer to dynamically add to the network via DHCP vs. assign each one
Will keep working on other fix options (factory reset, etc.)
Thanks again

How do I fix Apple TV/iTunes Sync issue (port 3689)

I am having a port 3689 issue, I looked through all the other topics on it here, seems common, I only just bought my Apple TV unit and thinking about returning it, the guy from Apple support tried his best but still no fix.
iTunes says port 3689 is blocked, I have tried the following to rectify
1) Opened up port 3689 and 5353 on the modem
2) connected the Apple TV box directly to the Netcomm modem avoiding the wireless network
3) Called apple for assistance
4) disabled my firewall completely
5) re-instated the firewall and opened up ports in the firewall itself as a rule
After all this still says it's blocked.
Any other ideas?
Please help
Message was edited by: simosyd
Message was edited by: simosyd

I had the same problem. I tuned off the firewall, rebooted computer, unplugged the router and turned off AppleTV, then I turned them all back on.
Then it works fine.
If I do all that but leave the firewall on, AppleTV syncs correctly the first time iTunes is loaded. After that I get the error and need to either turn off iTunes or simply reboot the computer and the sync goes back to working (again, first time only).
While it it definitely seems like a firewall issue, it seems to be a problem within iTunes/AppleTV and I doubt there is a way it can be fixed permanently by managing the ports (i.e. wait for the next update for the real fix).

Apple TV Not Syncing - Error Suggesting Firewall Port 3869 Issue

I am suddenly having issues syncing my PC iTunes library with my Apple TV. iTunes is giving a message stating that the Apple TV is not responding and that I should confirm that my firewall port 3869 is open. I turned off the firewall for a few moments to see if the issue would be resolved and it is not.
iTunes can see the Apple TV, can see what media is installed on the device but cannot sync to it. Any suggestions??

A few people have reported that deleting the iTunes application and re-installing it can resolve this problem. Also make sure you have the latest version of Bonjour installed on your PC.

Dreaded "port 3689 blocked" message when trying to sync Apple TV

I have a suggestion that MIGHT help others . . .
I, too, received the infamous "3689 blocked" message when syncing my ATV (1st gen) to iTunes. Never had the issue before, maybe the latest update to iTunes had something to do with it?
Anyway, I tried everything . . . turning off firewall, adding access to port 3689 (TCP protocol) for the Apple TV in my router software, etc. All to no avail. Same error. Then, I came across a reference online to adding access to port 5353 (UDP protocal) . . . that was the trick (at least for me). So, include both in your firewall access and/or router port forwarding access and see if that does the trick for you.

You don't need to, just check your firewall settings and ensure that access is allowed to iTunes.
Are you running any other security software on your Mac.

How to solve this. It happens even when firewall is disabled. Apple TV: "Check that any firewall software running on this computer has been set to allow communication on port 3689" alert in Windows

How to fix this. Happens even when firewall is disabled. (Apple TV 1st generation)
Apple TV: "Check that any firewall software running on this computer has been set to allow communication on port 3689" alert in Windows

After a few hours the same issue started again. (Port 3689 error) I checked my router settings and it shows ATV asd connected to my netrwork. ATV also shows in iTunes devices. It asll works till I try to sync. Then the error pops up
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Port 3689 errors when ATV tries to sync purchases to MacBookPro

I have purchased a couple of TV series and they are available on ATV.
They show up as needing to be uploaded to the MacBook Pro.
When I open iTunes it begins to upload but nothing uploads after a few hours.
The graph appears but never leaves the home spot.
When I manually tell it to sync the TV shows I get this message.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Apple TV is not responding.
Check that any firewall software running on this computer
has been set to allow communication on port 3689.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have no idea where to look for the above.
I want the series backed up on the computer but it does not get
there. I have good communications on the ATV to iTunes, etc.
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Thanks for responding Winston,
I did restart the ATV and no help.
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I am not sure but I believe I upgraded the ATV software in between.
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TS2709 I can't get Apple Tv to sync. I have opened a port (3689) for itunes sharing but it has not solved the issue. Any ideas?

I can't get Apple Tv to sync. I have opened a port (3689) for itunes sharing but it has not solved the issue. Any ideas?

do you mean sync or shared lib?
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It's hooked up to iTunes. The firewall is set to share iTunes music files (and iPhoto/Bonjour). The AppleTV is not in use.
It won't sync properly. Sometimes it will try to sync every TV episode I have (too many) even though I tell it to sync only unwatched. Other times it won't sync at all.
Ideas?

Hi Fishgrrl,
If you are using a wireless connection on the computer for internet access, you can try turning on internet sharing and running a cable directly from the apple tv to the computer. If it can sync there then you are either having an issue with interference, and you can look at knowledge base article 58543 (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58543) for potential sources. Or you may need to look at firewall ports being blocked. This knowledge base article may help with that ( http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305115).
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John

Syncing Problem - firewall - port 3689

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