Random volume increase on Apple TV after tvOS 26 update

Heard another report similar to this, except the symptoms were that the ATV kept scrolling to the bottom of the home screen. The suggestion was to 'restart the remote'. So I charged my remote back up from no charge. Noticed the volume up issue didnt seem to be an issue anymore, but regardless I 'restarted the remote' anyway. So far so good, no random volume increases.

Here is a how to on 'restarting the remote'

If your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote isn't working - Apple Support

Can you please test if this volume problem is still happening if you just use the tv speakers? This is to isolate if it’s being caused by HomePods. If it’s the HomePods you mention HomePods & HomePod minis, so I don’t know which model of HomePod you are using or if using more than one model. There are three models:

the big gen 2

big OG

Homepod Mini

First please try the steps below:

• Reboot your wifi router - unplug for 30 seconds
• unplug your HomePods for 10 seconds to restart them . You should see a white swirling light on top and they will briefly disconnect from the internet before coming back online.

Test again if it’s improved and report back with the models of HomePods you have and are any of them paired or being used as default audio, what model your Apple tv is Identify your Apple TV model.

Thanks

Try moving your ATV remote into a different room (or as far away from the ATV as possible) away from the ATV and see if the problem is still there. I tracked it down to an interaction between the ATV and the remote. I don't know for sure but its like the 26.x update tries to update the remote firmware and gets into a loop with one of the side effects being that it is hitting the volume up button. Its not dirt in the button or anything physical for me, it was triggered by the 26.0.1 update.

I let my remote drain its battery completely and I can use the ATV using the Remote app on other devices and it is behaving as it should. When I get the courage I will charge up the remote again and see if the interaction is still there. I will get the ATV to 'forget' the remote before recharging the remote, then re-pair afterwards. I will report back after I do. I just want to watch some shows first...

A software update for tvOS 26.0.1 was released yesterday, please install that to see if it fixes audio issues.

Go to Settings > System > Software Updates and select Update Software.

Did you update the HomePods to 26.0.1 as well? This is what fixed my audio.

Restart your television also.

Do you have the ATV connected to any external speakers/ headphones etc or is this through the tv speakers?

Same here, no HomePods. Volume increases randomly on TV speakers as well as on HDMI-connected 2.1 speakers. Restarted all devices and restored the Apple TV, issue persists. But also, the remote is constantly disconnecting and reconnecting (I really hate them annoying notifications) and the whole thing has become extremely laggy. Might force install the old tvOS. This update has been a disaster for my setup so far .

Same problem here, but hadn't noticed it until 26.0.1.

No HomePods owned it is is connected to a proper home cinema receiver.

This bug is an equipment destroyer.

It seems to be something in conjunction with the remote.