How to Solve AirPlay Not Working Problem?

Written by Kaylee Wood | Last update: August 31, 2020 | 5 Min Read

AirPlay performance gets mainly interfaced by invisible external factors, thus AirPlay not working problems often happen unexpectedly. Maybe it is the fault of the AirPlay sender device errors, or the router’s issues. It is invisible that you could feel helpless when totally unaware of which procedure actually went wrong in terms of AirPlay not working problem. So, here will try to offer possible solutions to help you out.

Basic Checks to Solve Apple AirPlay not Working

If you are encountering cannot stream contents using AirPlay, or cannot screen mirroring iPhone, iPad or Mac to Apple TV, Apple Support has given some workarounds here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204291.

Solution 1. Make sure that your devices are turned on and nearby.
• If the Apple TV is in Sleep mode and uses Ethernet, wake your Apple TV up with the remote so as to eliminate the “looking for Apple TV” message.
• Keep a close distance between your devices. If they still can’t get connection, try to move them closer.
• To stream audio to multiple speakers with AirPlay 2, make sure that your speakers are compatible with AirPlay 2.

Solution 2. Update your device to the latest OS.
• iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Plug your device into power and connect to the Internet with WiFi > go to Settings > General > tap Software Update > tap Download and Install > tap Install > If asked, enter your passcode.
• Apple TV: Go to Settings > System > Software Updates and select Update Software > if there’s an update, select Download and Install > after the update downloads, your Apple TV will restart, prepare the update and then install the update.
• HomePod: On iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, open the Home app and tap Home in the upper-left corner > tap Software Update > if there is a new update, tap Install. On your Mac, open the Home app > in the menu bar, choose Edit > Edit Home > click Software Update > if there is a new update, click Install.
• Mac: On Mac with macOS Mojave or later, choose System Preferences from the Apple menu > click Software Update to check for updates > if there is an update, click on the Update Now button to install it. On Mac with earlier macOS, open the App Store app on your Mac > click Updates in the App Store toolbar > click the Update buttons to download and install any updates listed.
• Smart TVs: You are suggested to contact a third-party vendor or developer to get help with the product.

Solution 3. Connect your devices to the same WiFi-network
• Worth mentioning, if you are trying to AirPlay to Apple TV, connect your Apple TV directly to your router with an Ethernet cable instead of using WiFi to make sure the network is always strong.

Solution 4. Check the AirPlay settings
• On Apple TV, you might have restricted who can AirPlay.
• On HomePod, you might have restricted speaker access.
• For AirPlay 2, you might need to invite others to control your home so they can AirPlay to your devices.
• You can’t AirPlay to HomePod if you select Only People Sharing This Home. So, deselect it.

After this checklist, most of your AirPlay problems will be resolved, including AirPlay lag, AirPlay keeps disconnecting, AirPlay black screen, Apple TV buffering, AirPlay audio lag, Apple TV AirPlay video not working, Apple TV freezes during AirPlay.

Advanced AirPlay Troubleshootings

1. Music unexpectedly stops during AirPlay: You can use your device or Siri to start playing music again.
2. See videos but no audio: If you are trying to screen mirroring from iOS/iPadOS or Mac to Apple TV, make sure that the volume is turned up and not muted on both devices. Worth mentioning, if you are streaming video from an iPhone or iPad, check the Ring/Silent switch.
3. AirPlay gets interrupted by a device nearby: If there is an electronic device nearby the device you are trying to use AirPlay, turn off it.

How to Solve AirPlay not Working with 5KPlayer?

AirPlay functionality steps into next stage with the help of 5KPlayer, the AirPlay-enabled 4K UHD player that helps AirPlay contents from iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to Mac or PC. With 5KPlayer, you are allowed to AirPlay videos, music, games, presentations, apps, files, etc. from iOS/iPadOS to computer wirelessly. The disappointment is that 5KPlayer’s AirPlay function for PC/Mac to Apple TV screen mirroring is not working at present, but we are working hard to figure out a solution.

5KPlayer AirPlay Not Working [Solved] – "AWRRR"

A for AirPlay
Make sure the AirPlay is turned on: Check in iPhone/iPad control center > AirPlay

W for Wi-Fi
Connect your AirPlay sender and receiver to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

RRR for Reboot > Reboot > Reset
Reboot: the iPhone/iPad/iPad Pro and Mac/PC, keep the devices powered off for more than 30 seconds.
Reboot: remove your router's power cord for more than 30 seconds.
Reset: your iPhone/iPad/iPad Pro, you can reset through Settings > General > Reset.

Tips and Notes:

Make sure you don't tap "wipe all the content and settings" in your device.
Technically saying 90% of AirPlay not working, or AirPlay icon missing problem could be solved through "AWRRR". But the problem is that you have to watch out at any time in case it goes wrong again at crucial moments.
To help you keep a monitoring eye on the AirPlay condition of your Apple devices, 5KPlayer serves as a sensitive alerting guard in case anything goes wrong in the process of AirPlay. It has indicative AirPlay icon on the main interface that will turn red when AirPlay is enabled, and the playback area could help you in AirPlay troubleshooting.

Guide: AirPlay not Working - Video and Audio Out of Sync [Solved]

Download 5KPlayer for Windows or Mac, install and launch it. This sensitive AirPlay condition guard can seamlessly adapt to your Mac El Captain or Windows 10 to solve AirPlay not working. Here we first focus on troubleshooting Apple TV AirPlay. You could also turn to full guide on how to use AirPlay for guide on AirPlay for Windows, AirPlay from iPad to PC, or from iPhone iPad to Mac..

This AirPlay troubleshooting tool can really understand your puzzles in solving AirPlay not working. 5KPlayer support team keeps updating AirPlay troubleshooting guide based on user feedbacks. Please refer to the introduction tutorial list to explore more functions of 5KPlayer AirPlay. This general guide "AWRRR" proves to be a universal solution to AirPlay not working problems. Now embrace the wireless streaming fun of 5KPlayer, here's our selected top 6 video streaming sites and top 6 music streaming services for fun!