Why is it that the Apple TV remote on my iPhone does not work, when the Apple TV is connected directly to the router through an Ethernet cable?

The network settings on Apple TV are not that important for ethernet. It is about the settings on your router.

1. Have one router on your home network. Multiple routers will create subnets that can’t communicate with each other. When using multiple devices with routing capability, set them to extend the existing network, not create a new subnet.
2. If both the wireless and wired are managed by the same router, then verify that the wired and wireless are bridged to create one logical network from both. This should be default for many consumer grade routers. Do not use multiple SSID network names, or separate SSID network names for the various Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz), as that will also create separate subnets.
3. If your router has options for a Guest Network, then know that is for internet access only, not for communication with other devices on your home network. Don’t have your own iPhone connect to that.

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support

I have the same problem, except that my iPhone remote was working for years then suddenly decided to stop working. It works with the WiFi connected tvs but not the Ethernet connected ones. Everything is on the same network. My husband’s iPhone still works but mine does not. Every device has been updated and restarted dozens of times but nothing has solved the problem.

I have had the same issue. All software and operating systems are up to date. Apple supper has not answer. They typically deflect the issue to the provider of the router and ask that you look into Bonjoir services! I hope they get this problem resolved soon. You also cannot find A misplaced remote if your Apple TV is wired.

Did anyone find a solution to this? Are there network settings on the Apple TV that allow it to connect to the phone through the ethernet network, not having to be on the same wifi?

Hey there javi216,

As long as your iPhone and Apple TV are on the same network, the remote should work. How your Apple TV is connected to the network should not matter.

To help us isolate and troubleshoot this issue, we would suggest the following steps to start:

1. Restart your iPhone: Restart your iPhone - Apple Support, Apple TV: Restart Apple TV - Apple Support, and network
2. Make sure you have the latest tvOS on your Apple TV: Update your Apple TV - Apple Support
3. Make sure you have the latest iOS on your iPhone: Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Should you still need help after that, Apple Support would be best equipped to continue assisting. You can reach them here: Get Support

Cheers.

my wifi network had an update last night and i couldn’t use the remote app or stream from my phone to my homepods.

hopefully it’s as simple as it was for me, all i did was go to my apple tv settings, forget my network and rejoined it. fixed it for me! :)