User profile for user: John Franson
John Franson Author
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Apple TV HD not working, can't reset

Getting no response from Apple TV HD when trying to reset/restore. White light blinks continuously (blink, blink, and the rapid blink-blink, repeat)

Apple TV HD, tvOS 13

Posted on May 6, 2020 12:25 PM

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User profile for user: Urquhart1244
Urquhart1244
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Posted on May 6, 2020 12:45 PM

If the status light on the Apple TV flashes continuously (and it is not updating, which would show on screen), then it may be failing to start up properly. The remedy is to re-install the system software through a computer, as described on Restore your Apple TV - Apple Support.

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User profile for user: Urquhart1244
Urquhart1244
User level: Level 10
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May 6, 2020 12:45 PM in response to John Franson

If the status light on the Apple TV flashes continuously (and it is not updating, which would show on screen), then it may be failing to start up properly. The remedy is to re-install the system software through a computer, as described on Restore your Apple TV - Apple Support.

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User profile for user: John Franson
John Franson Author
User level: Level 1
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May 6, 2020 2:53 PM in response to Urquhart1244

I have obtained the required USB C to A chord, but my iMac is not recognizing the Apple TV connected to it. The Apple TV's white light continues to blink (not at a steady pace). I've tried rebooting, connecting the chords in the sequence instructed, and so on. Not sure what to try next.

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User profile for user: Urquhart1244
Urquhart1244
User level: Level 10
145,208 points

May 6, 2020 3:11 PM in response to John Franson

Disconnect it from all cables. Then connect USB to the Apple TV, then connect the other end to a computer, then power it as described. In that order. That should prevent it from trying to start up.

Read the caveat at the bottom of the page, that the USB cable should support (generic) data transfer – it should not be a charging cable.

Then it depends on whether the iMac is running macOS 10.15 or earlier (recognize in Finder or in iTunes).

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User profile for user: John Franson
John Franson Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

May 6, 2020 4:49 PM in response to Urquhart1244

Thank you very much for your thoughts.

I am not, however, succeeding:


-USB A to C cable is for charging and data sync (Insignia brand; NS-MCAB4 appears to be the model #).

-Mac OS 10.15.4

-Finder shows that iPhone is attached, for instance. It is not detecting the Apple TV HD after following the steps exactly.


I just tried the same steps on my MacBook Pro. Same results - no luck.


The Apple TV is still blinking. It seems to be alive, but maybe it is just kaput.

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Apple TV HD not working, can't reset

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