Netflix stuttering Apple TV 4K

Recently my 2021 purchased Apple TV 4k (Model A2169) started stuttering on some Netflix shows. This was especially noticeable on The Perfect Couple. It would happen frequently and look like dropped frames.

I have done the following:

Played around with all settings, including Match Frame Rate etc with no fix.
Completely reset the box and had it reinstall TVOS.
Unplugged it for 1, 5, 10 minutes, then hours then a full day with no fix.
Unit is ethernet hard wired into router which is 300mbs service.

As per many other posts on this topic on the web, the shows on Netflix that stutter through the Apple TV play fine on the TVs Netflix app. TV is a Panasonic GZ2000.

I know there is an issue with content on Netflix shot at 24fps being forced to play at 23.997, but that is a dropped frame every 30-40 seconds, not the frequent stuttering I am getting.

The interesting issue is I have a spare Apple TV 4K (model A1842) from 2018 that has TVOS 14.45 installed. It does NOT stutter on the same shows no matter what I try. Same settings etc, but no stutter at all.

I am loathe to update it as it is working perfectly and I know you cannot downgrade an Apple TV.

Does anyone know if this points to a hardware issue with the 2021 version or if this is a software issue? The only way I would be able to tell is if I upgraded the 2018 box to the new TVOS, but if it brings back the stuttering I am stuck.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Apple TV 4K

Posted on Oct 10, 2024 8:45 AM

Top-ranking reply

JMW1967 Author

Level 1

10 points

Posted on Jan 6, 2025 2:30 AM

An UPDATE

I was using Starlink for my ISP. Regularly I would get 200-250 down. However in the last few months the service has degraded at night to the point when I do a speed test, it could be as low as 10 down. However I could do one 2 minutes later and it would be 50-100. Overall, very irregular speeds and high latency compared to FTTC.

As there is no reported fix for peak time service degradation (they said I needed to pay double to get 'priority') and interestingly in our area you cannot sign up for Starlink as it is now stated to be at capacity, I downgraded back to FTTC with 54 down speeds. However the latency is 7ms (as compared to 20-30 with Starlink) and no matter which test server I choose, I always get 48-50 down on a test.

Long story to say without any other changes, all my stuttering is gone. I have tested and tested numerous times and it never happens.

All I can guess is the latency an unstable speeds are not acceptable to the Netflix Apple TV App for some reason. It does not explain why the in-built app on my TV worked, but I am thrilled that at least I can use ATV again for Netflix.

Hope this helps some of you!

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Netflix stuttering Apple TV 4K

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