Apple TV Light Flashing: What It Means And What To Do

Most technology companies install a light on the devices they manufacture, and Apple is no different.

This light communicates various things to the user, such as whether the device is on or off.

In some devices, if the light flashes, it may indicate a problem with your device. 

You could be asking yourself what causes the flashing light on my Apple TV 4 

Why Is My Apple TV Light Flashing?

If your Apple TV light is flashing, it shows your firmware update was interrupted. You may interfere with your firmware update if you cut off the power before the update finishes. Luckily, you can solve this problem by checking your input selection and HDMI devices, restarting your television, or restoring factory settings. 

This article will explore how to fix an Apple TV with a flashing light. 

We will also cover several other ways your television light behaves and what they mean. 

TV Light Doesn’t Stop Flashing

The Apple TV light behaves differently at different times. The light comes on when you turn on your television and goes off when you turn off the television. 

Ideally, the light should remain steady when you turn the television on. 

If the light blinks rapidly and continually, your device has a problem. 

You need to restore factory settings on your television because it is in recovery mode

To conduct this procedure successfully

• Go to “settings”
• Navigate to “system”
• Then “reset” 

Allow the reset process to finish without interrupting it.

However, the process may take time to complete. 

The light is Blinking and TV is Not Turning On

Your television light shows that your device is receiving power. 

When watching your television, the light should remain solid and not blink.

Sometimes, you may turn on your Apple television and realize the light is blinking, but your television is not getting power, therefore failing to turn on. 

In such a case, restore your television to factory settings to get it in working condition. 

This process returns your device to the state it was while new. 

For this reason, you will lose any downloads that you had installed from Apple’s app store. 

Apple TV Light Blinking After Update

An update fixes existing problems with your television. You can initiate the update, or the update can occur automatically.

The updated system helps your television work more efficiently compared to an outdated system. 

If your device’s light starts blinking after installing an update , there is a problem.

Your best bet is restarting your device. 

To restart, you can press the “menu” and “home” buttons together and release them when you notice the light flashing. 

Alternatively, you can restart the television by following these steps:

• Go to “settings
• Followed by “system”
• Then “restart” 

Light Flashing but Television Does not Respond to Remote

Your remote control comes in handy in giving instructions to your television, allowing you to enjoy your favorite shows. 

You may have noticed your Apple TV light flashing when using remote, which is normal. 

Sometimes, you may realize your Apple television is not responding to your remote control, but the TV’s light is blinking. 

You are highly likely to experience this problem if your television has been paired with another remote control. 

This occurs if you have more than one television. 

You will need to unpair one remote control by following the below steps:

• Hold down the “back” and “menu” buttons on your remote control
• Ensure you hold the remote control close to the television
• Conduct this procedure for six seconds
• An icon with a broken chain will appear, showing the link has been broken

You are now ready to connect a new remote control to your television. Use the below steps to connect your remote control successfully:

• Hold down the right and “menu” buttons on your remote control
• Ensure you hold the remote control close to the TV
• Hold the buttons for six seconds
• An icon with a chain link will appear on your screen, meaning your remote is connected.

After completing this procedure, your television should respond to your remote, and the blinking should disappear. 

Light is On While Television is Off

Ideally, your television light should not be on when the device is off. When the light stays on while your television is off, it indicates your TV has a problem. 

Luckily, you can solve this issue without needing to call a technician. 

First, ensure your device’s software is up to date using these steps:

• Go to “settings”
• Followed by “system”
• Then “software updates”
• Finally, “update software”

The system will automatically update itself if there is a new update. 

If the light is still there even after installing a new update, enforce a sleep mode on your television.

Putting the television into sleep mode also helps when the system is up to date and there is no new update. 

To get your device to sleep mode:

• Navigate to “settings”
• Then “sleep now” 

TV Flashes White Light Thrice

You may notice your television flashes a white light three times, whether it is on or off. 

Usually, this issue arises when your device has connected to more than one remote control. 

The confusion can come up if you have multiple televisions in one place. 

You need to disconnect one remote control from your television to solve this problem.

To do this, follow the instructions highlighted earlier in this article. 

TV Not Blinking When You Press Your Remote Control

Usually, your Apple TV blinks when receiving instructions from your remote control. 

If you press the remote once, the television blinks once; if you press the remote twice, the television also blinks twice. 

However, you may realize your television does not blink every time you press your remote, and it also does not receive the instructions. 

To solve this problem, ensure your remote control’s battery is in good condition. 

Also, check if the remote control is charged.

In addition, ensure no obstructions are blocking your television’s IR sensor so that communication between your remote and device can occur successfully.