Having issues streaming Amazon Prime Video on your Apple TV? You’re not alone. Many users have reported problems like the app not opening, videos not loading, constant buffering, and error messages.
But don’t worry – in most cases, Amazon Prime not working on Apple TV can be easily fixed with some basic troubleshooting steps.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the most common issues and solutions to get your Prime Video streaming smoothly in no time.
Why Is Amazon Prime Not Working on My Apple TV?
Before jumping into fixes, let’s look at some of the potential causes behind Amazon Prime Video problems on Apple TV:
- Outdated app: An outdated version of the Prime Video app can cause playback failures or app crashes.
- Software bugs: Bugs in the latest tvOS or Prime Video app updates could be the culprit.
- Internet connectivity issues: Slow internet speeds, Wi-Fi dead zones, and other network problems impact streaming.
- Amazon server outages: Large-scale issues with Amazon’s streaming servers can cause widespread failures.
- Account problems: Incorrect login credentials or expired subscriptions may prevent access.
- Incompatible Apple TV models: Only Apple TV HD and 4K models support Prime Video.
- HDCP errors: HDCP handshake failures between your TV and Apple TV block video playback.
Now let’s walk through the top fixes and troubleshooting steps to resolve these common issues.
10 Fixes for Amazon Prime Not Working on Apple TV
1. Check Your Internet Connection
At the most basic level, you need a stable, fast internet connection for smooth Prime Video streaming in HD and 4K quality.
On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Network to view your current connection details. Run internet speed tests using the Speedtest app or Fast.com website to verify adequate performance:
- At least 5 Mbps for HD quality
- 25 Mbps for 4K streaming
If speeds are lower, try moving your Apple TV closer to your Wi-Fi router, upgrading internet plans, or connecting via ethernet instead.
2. Restart Your Devices
Before anything else – try power cycling! Restarting your Apple TV, Wi-Fi router, modem, and even streaming devices can help resolve temporary glitches.
To reboot Apple TV: Go to Settings > System > Restart. Wait for it to restart completely.
While restarting your devices, don’t forget to also reboot your smart TV if you view Prime Video on the big screen. Some LG TV and Samsung TV owners have also faced issues like Amazon Prime getting stuck on the loading screen or encountering a black screen on their models.
3. Update Software
Outdated software often causes app issues and bugs.
On Apple TV, go to Settings > System > Software Updates to install the latest tvOS update. Also check the App Store for Prime Video app updates.
4. Sign Out and Sign Back In
Login credentials getting mixed up sometimes breaks things.
In the Prime Video app, go to settings and sign out completely. Then input your credentials again to sign back in fresh.
5. Delete and Reinstall the App
A corrupted install can prevent Prime Video from opening or functioning properly on Apple TV.
Delete the app from your Apple TV, restart, redownload a clean version from the App Store and try again. This often resolves underlying issues.
6. Reset Apple TV
For more persistent problems, you can factory reset your Apple TV device to clear out any problematic data and settings.
Go to Settings > System > Reset and choose Reset All Settings. Your Apple TV data will be erased and factory defaults restored. You’ll have to reconfigure settings afterwards.
7. Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all other basic fixes for Amazon Prime not working on Apple TV to no avail, it may be an issue requiring deeper Apple TV troubleshooting or hardware service.
Contact Apple support online via chat or phone to get personalized help solving obscure, device-specific issues. Support agents can run diagnostics, issue replacement devices if needed, and more.
When contacting Amazon support with Prime Video issues, inquiries related to using the service on smart TVs is common. You can ask about problems specific to your model like why Amazon Prime Video is not working on LG TVs or fixing streaming fails on Samsung TVs.
8. Check Amazon Server Status
Sometimes the issue lies not with you but with Amazon’s streaming servers going down.
You can check the real-time status of Prime Video servers using third-party checker sites like Downdetector. If servers show widespread outages in your region, the only fix is to wait it out.
9. Verify Your Amazon Prime Subscription
Don’t forget to double check that your Amazon Prime membership is active! Log into your Amazon account online to confirm your subscription hasn’t accidentally expired.
You need an active Prime membership for access to Amazon Prime Video streaming on any device. Renew promptly to restore access.
10. Use Alternative Streaming Devices
If your Apple TV battles persist, one workaround is using alternate streaming hardware like Fire TV Stick, Roku, PS4, or Xbox to stream Amazon Prime. The viewing experience and features may differ across platforms.
Bonus features like subtitles can sometimes be finicky too. If you can’t seem to turn off Amazon Prime subtitles on your TV, customer service should be able to help adjust closed caption settings.
FAQs About Amazon Prime and Apple TV
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using Prime Video on Apple TV:
Does Apple TV support Amazon Prime Video?
Yes! Amazon Prime Video comes pre-installed on the latest Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models. Older generations also support it as a downloadable app.
Why does Prime Video keep buffering on my Apple TV?
Buffering is usually caused by shaky Wi-Fi signals or insufficient internet speeds for steady 4K/HD streaming. Try the fixes above to resolve buffering issues.
How can I get Amazon Prime Video on a 2nd generation Apple TV?
Unfortunately, only 3rd gen or later Apple TV models support Prime Video. Upgrade your Apple TV box or consider alternate streaming devices.
Why are some Amazon Prime videos not working on Apple TV?
Certain titles may be unavailable due to licensing restrictions in your geographic region. Also, internet problems can prevent videos from loading properly.
Does Apple TV have Amazon Music?
Yes! You can access your full Amazon Music library including playlists and stations through the Amazon Music app on latest Apple TV models.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
Getting Amazon Prime Video up and running smoothly on your Apple TV device is crucial for cutting cables and having seamless streaming access to exclusive originals, movies and your watchlist shows.
By methodically trying the solutions above, you should be able to fix most common issues causing Amazon Prime fails on Apple TV models and resume entertainment without endless buffering or error messages.
Don’t hesitate to contact Apple or Amazon customer support if problems persist after troubleshooting – they can dig deeper and resolve trickier device-specific bugs causing outages.
Now put your feet up, grab the remote, and continue that Prime Video binge on your now-fixed Apple TV!
