Apple TV - No network detected

Hello,

I would like to open the never-ending story of the “No network connected” issue on Apple TV. First, I’d like to mention that I have spent countless days trying to analyze the problem.

My setup: In my household, I have 3x Apple TV 4K (with an Ethernet port), but I only use Wi-Fi because I don’t have the option to connect them via Ethernet. The Apple TVs are connected to HomePod minis (I have 6 minis and 2 regular ones in total). I use a high-end 8K HDMI cable to connect to the TV.

What’s happening: For some mysterious reason, ever since updating to tvOS 17.1 (now 18.0), all my Apple TVs started showing “No network detected” in the top right corner for 1 second, and then the TV immediately reconnects to Wi-Fi.

After analysis, I discovered this only happens when the audio output is set to the HomePod! It doesn’t matter which one in the house or if it's in stereo mode or single mode. As soon as I set the audio output to the TV, the issue goes away. The easiest way to replicate the error is when Apple TV is connected to the HomePod and you run an internet speed test multiple times in a row. The message will pop up when the network load increases. The same thing happens when I try downloading in-game data in Wreckfest – the game simply wouldn’t download because the process keeps failing. As soon as I switch the audio output back to the TV, everything downloads without any issues. Even updating tvOS was problematic due to this issue.

What I’ve tried:

• Factory resetting Apple TVs, all HomePods, and iPhone
• Deleting my Home setup and configuring everything from scratch
• Bought a new router and completely rebuilt my home network
• Out of desperation, I bought a new Apple TV and HomePod – surprise, surprise, the same thing happens :-)
• Everything is up-to-date
• Replaced the HDMI cable
• In the Wi-Fi controller, I can see that the device de-authenticates itself and reconnects to the router.
• When I connect Apple TV via Ethernet, everything works normally (I don’t get it).

Since this happens even on a new Apple TV, new network, new HomePod, and new home setup, I’m 100% sure it’s an issue on Apple’s end, probably a bug in the OS.

Can anyone else try to simulate this? I’m surprised that so many people are complaining about this on Reddit and elsewhere, but no one has resolved it yet.

This is not the “Ecosystem” I envisioned.

Does anyone have any ideas? Can you try simulating this as well?

Thanks!