Did your Airplay keep disconnecting after a few minutes of connection? You must be wondering what might actually be the cause of this issue by asking yourself – why does my airplay keep disconnecting?
Having both the Airplay device and the receiver connected while you’re experiencing sudden freezes or disconnection.
This might be a bit frustrating, as it interrupts your streaming experience and takes time while trying to reconnect, after disconnecting on its own.
Especially if you’re experiencing such for the first time. In situations like this, there is no need to worry, you’re not alone.
So far Apple Airplay is a stable air streaming function on Apple devices which enables air sharing of audio and/or video content to the Airplay receiver. The Airplay snag you’re currently facing is just a temporary setback which can be fixed with some workarounds.
Fortunately, we’ve put up an up-to minute guide post which reveals every piece of details you need on how to fix your Airplay that keeps disconnecting.
This includes lots of answers to questions you might have, like why does Airplay keep stopping and freezing, or why does my Airplay keep disconnecting.
Why Does My Airplay Keep Disconnecting
How to Fix Airplay keeps Disconnecting
Basically, creating a standard and secure connection between the Airplay device which is your iPhone, iPad, iPod and MacBook to the Airplay receiver, either Apple TV or other Airplay 2 supported Smart TVs shouldn’t be a complex process, since both devices are compatible and Airplay enabled.
However, having bad experience when Air played to secondary display due to Airplay sudden disconnection, pausing and freezing, it’s recommended to try out the working out listed potential fixes to troubleshoot the Airplay keeps disconnecting issue.
1. Restart both Devices
To begin with, take some minutes to practice the conventional act that works well in fixing sudden errors on gadgets by restarting both devices, the Airplay device and the Airplay receiver which is the Apple TV or smart TV. Restarting refreshes the device state by clearing out the running programs, both background and forefront.
It’s highly recommended to firstly reboot both devices if you’re experiencing Airplay sudden disconnection, pausing, and lagging as the program might have bottle necked the device mainframe which may cause the Airplay function to stop periodically.
Power off both devices and turn it back on after a couple of minutes. You can utilize the hard reset or hard reboot option if available in the Airplay receiver (Apple TV to Smart TV) settings, which will definitely work well if the interruption was caused by an overload processor.
2. Check if it’s Airplay Supported
Did your Apple device still support the Airplay feature? Both the Airplay device and Airplay receiver must support Airplay streaming before it can work well, including the App you’re streaming from. Streaming between incompatible devices might result in Airplay sudden freezing and disconnection.
It’s essential to keep in check of your Apple device compatibility by checking the Airplay system requirements of Apple devices as well as that of TV, if it supports and enables air streaming with Airplay 2 enabled. After all, the app you’re streaming the content from must also be in check to confirm if the issue of Airplay keeps disconnecting is from the App screen mirroring restrictions.
Actually, most popular online streaming platforms have blocked mirroring access on their App once you’ve started streaming a movie, which is referred to as DRM protection, in order to prevent content infringement. Trying to Airplay DRM protected content from a particular App might lead to black screen or Airplay keeps disconnecting.
Make sure to check the compatibility of both the Apple device, Airplay receiver and the App you’re streaming from if it really supports Airplay function.
However, try testing with another App or video from your Photo library to confirm the issue isn’t from the App and if you’re running a lower OS version than the required for Airplay, move to the next step which emphasizes the OS updating process.
3. Update OS Version
Running an outdated and unsupported operating system either on the Airplay device or its receiver may cause the Airplay sudden disconnection, lagging and freezing.
Seeing that effectiveness of Airplay content sharing depends on the device compatibility, you may have the supported device, but running an outdated operating system. Besides, this feature requires the latest OS for bug fixes and enhancement.
Navigate to the iPhone or iPad Setting >> General >> Software Update. You’ll be provided with an update option If any newer OS version is available for your device. Still unable to check for updates despite the update being available for your device, you get that fix by reading this guide on how to solve unable to check for updates on iPhones.
Trying to Airplay from your MacBook, you can easily check for any available software update by navigating to System Preference >> Software Updates and click Update Now if you’re having any pending update available for your device. After all, try to reconnect the Airplay device with your Airplay receiver which will probably function without error if the issue is caused due to outdated software.
4. Turn on Wi-Fi Access
The functionality of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection while using Airplay is no joke, since the Airplay technology is a proprietary wireless media streaming communication protocol, which relies on Wi-Fi or Ethernet for transmitting Airplay signals to the Airplay receiver.
Apparently, establishing a connection with no Wi-Fi or misconfigured Wi-Fi connection on both devices may cause the Airplay not connecting and sudden disconnection issue in short time. It’s recommended to ensure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth access is enabled on both devices and make sure they’re both connected to the same wireless network, which may either be your home or office network.
Still no progress after ensuring active Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection on both devices. Check on the connected network i.e your Router or the Ethernet cable which lead us to the next affix.
5. Check Internet connection
Leaning on unstable internet connection for Airplay may also cause freezing or disconnection while streaming. The Airplay feature requires strong and stable connection for streaming video and audio.
Ensuring a strong and stable network is also an essential part if you want to enjoy the Airplay feature. You can check on the router status and restart if it seems sluggish, resetting both device network settings is also an option to try out, and check the Ethernet cable in case you rely on Ethernet over Wi-Fi connection.
Read Also: What does orange light on motherboard mean? Answered
Remove and reconnect loose Ethernet cable, replace if damaged. Additionally, switching to less busy Wi-Fi band which is said to be the 2.4 GHz is an option to try out, as it offers Wi-Fi users a wide coverage area with a usable speed of 50-70 Mbps. Apparently, unlike the 5 GHz that offers great speed. The 2.4 GHz is known for its range.
6. Confirm connection settings
Inappropriate connection of the Airplay device and receiver might cause issues afterward, this requires proper set up before it functions unhindered. With no knowledge of how to connect Airplay devices with other Airplay 2 supported devices, you can utilize this piece by Apple on how to use Airplay to stream video from iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
However, inspect the connection to ensure you’re doing it the right way. In case you’re missing some steps, try to take some minutes to disconnect and reconnect following the proper way which will probably work if you’re experiencing disconnection due to inappropriate connection of both devices.
7. Set Apple TV to Airplay from the same network
By default, the Apple TV is set to receive Airplay frequencies from other available networks in reach, which makes it possible to detect and connect with other Airplay devices in 25 to 30 feet. And for the Airplay device to secure multiple connections with Airplay 2 devices.
Read Also: How to Change Roku TV Name [3 Easy Method]
To prevent the Airplay 2 device (Apple TV or Smart TV) disconnection and freezing for detecting another Airplay frequency from a nearby Airplay device, it’s recommended to set the Airplay settings on the receiver to only connect with devices on the same network. To do this;
Navigate to the device Settings, open the Airplay option then select Same Network. This will personalize the device Airplay to only detect and receive Airplay frequency from devices on the same network.
8. Disable Auto Lock and Sleep Mode
The inbuilt iPhones and iPads auto-lock mechanism can hinder the Airplay function if it locks automatically, as this may tamper the connection with the Airplay receiver. Facing the issue of AirPlay disconnection when iPhone sleeps.
It’s recommended to try switching off the auto-lock and sleep mode option on your device if you have it turned on, and reconnect if the issue has been resolved.
The auto-lock function is set to restore default once you perform a software upgrade on your device. However, to disable this on your Apple device; Navigate to Settings on the iPhone or iPad, swipe up to locate and tap General, then tap Auto-Lock, switch the default selected option to Never, to prevent it from locking automatically to avoid interruption.
9. Disable Firewall for PC
Choosing MacBook as your Airplay device, the computer firewall protection might be the cause of Airplay sudden disconnection and interruption while streaming. With the firewall protection turned on, the security system has been commanded to alter all unrecognized incoming connections as it may be a threat to your computer.
Related: How to Fix JBL Headphones keep turning On and Off
To workaround and test out if the Airplay keeps disconnecting and sudden interruption is caused due to firewall protection, take some minutes to disable blocking all incoming connections in the security preferences of your MacBook. To so this;
Navigate to System preferences on your computer, stroll to locate and click Security & Privacy, click the Firewall tab and disable Block all incoming connections. In addition, enable Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections option to set things right.
Bottom Line
Hope you found this post helpful. In conclusion, the Apple Airplay must be believed to be one of the stable astonishing features offered to Apple users, although its protocols grant it lossless and firm video streaming quality. This makes it highly prone to interference and disturbance caused by little hitch in any surrounding devices that has reference to effectiveness of the Airplay function.
Read Also: Why is my iPhone 13 Getting Hot? Easy Tips to Fix
Apparently, troubleshooting the Airplay sudden interruption and keeps disconnecting issue doesn’t require a degree to fix, as you can easily workaround this with any of the provided affixes above. Out pick certain aspects you’re lacking information on, then follow the potential fasten to patch up which i believe will work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What TV works best with AirPlay?
Actually, not all smart TVs support Airplay but all Airplay 2 enabled TVs can function as Airplay receivers and work perfectly for Airplay. As our home gadgets are getting smarter everyday, almost all newly produced Smart TVs now have inbuilt Airplay 2 that makes it Airplay supported TV. Here are the list of all Airplay 2 enabled TVs and Devices.
Can you AirPlay to a regular smart TV?
No, Airplay to a regular smart TV isn’t possible as Airplay only supports streaming to other Airplay 2 supportive devices. Using a regular smart TV with no Airplay 2 enabled, you won’t be able to Airplay content from your Apple device wirelessly.
You can resort to other options to mirror your Apple device screen to the TV, which includes using an Apple TV, using Apple’s Digital AV Adapter or Google Chromecast. Note that only the Apple TV and Google Chromecast offer wireless connection, as the third option is wired which involves plugging in your phone before it works.
What does the Apple AirPlay icon look like?
The Apple Airplay icon is a rectangular screen with a triangle at the bottom for video Airplay, while a signal wave with a triangle at the bottom for audio Airplay. See the icon image below.
Can I use AirPlay without Wi-Fi?
Yes, you can create a secure connection with the Airplay device without Wi-Fi network. Establishing a secure connection between the Airplay devices and the receiver isn’t only limited to Wi-Fi networks but also includes Ethernet. Using Ethernet for connecting both devices doesn’t require Wi-Fi any more but only the Ethernet cable.
What can I use instead of AirPlay?
There are numerous options you can resort to as an Airplay alternative to Airplay both video and audio contents from your Apple devices iPhone, iPad, Mac or the iPod touch. These methods include using cable connection, Google Chromecast or third-party software.
Do I need an Apple TV for AirPlay?
No, the Airplay feature isn’t limited to Apple TV as Airplay streaming is now possible with any Airplay 2 enabled smart TV. Owning an Airplay 2 supported Smart TV, you can easily receive Airplay content from your Apple device without Apple TV wirelessly.
Is AirPlay for iPhone only?
No, the Apple Airplay is a software made available in almost all Apple’s products. The Apple Airplay is available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, HomePod, MacBook and Apple PC. Whereas devices that serve as Airplay receiver and can be streamed to include Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, HomePod, and AirPlay 2 compatible Smart TVs which have “Works with Apple AirPlay” label on the pack.
