How to Fix Apple TV Keeps Asking for Password

Can’t enjoy your favorite shows since your Apple TV keeps asking for a password?

Apple’s online services are encountering a lot of outages these past months. Recently, Apple TV users are complaining about the multiple prompts for passwords on their devices. 

If you are here, we can assume that you experience the same issue on your device. 

To help out, we’ve decided to list down the best solutions for fixing your Apple TV if it keeps asking for your password. 

Let’s get started! 

1. Check for Outages. 

As mentioned, Apple’s services are experiencing some issues for the past months and it could be the reason your Apple TV keeps asking for your password. 

You can use Apple’s status page to verify if there are reported problems with their services. 

However, there are times when their status page doesn’t reflect issues right away. 

Due to this, you’d want to check Apple’s community page or Twitter to see if other users are complaining about the same issue. 

Sadly, server-related problems can’t be resolved on your end. If Apple’s servers are down, the only thing you can do is wait it out. 

2. Restart Your Apple TV. 

Restarting your Apple TV is a good place to start your troubleshooting. Not only will this reload your system resources but will also clear your device’s system memory. 

Clearing your system memory should flush out any corrupted data related to your Apple ID that may have been causing the problem. 

With Siri Remote / Apple TV Remote (2nd generation or later):

1. Hold down the Back + TV/Control Center buttons on your Apple TV Remote. 
2. Let go of the buttons once the light on your Apple TV flashes. 

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If you’re using a Siri Remote / Apple TV Remote (1st generation): 

1. Hold down the Menu + TV/Control Center buttons on your remote. 
2. Release the buttons once the light indicator on your Apple TV flashes. 

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For Apple Remote (aluminum or white): 

1. Press and hold the Menu + Down buttons on your remote. 
2. Let go of the buttons once the light on your device flashes. 

Try accessing some apps or Apple services to see if your device will still ask for a password. 

Related: How to Fix Apple TV Remote Not Working

3. Re-Login Your Account. 

Refreshing your account data might also resolve this issue on your Apple TV. 

Removing your Apple ID should prompt your device to update your account information, clearing any issues with your account data. 

See the steps below to re-login your account: 

1. First, open Settings on your Apple TV. 
2. Go to User and Accounts and access your user profile. 

3. Now, click on your Apple ID. 
4. Choose Sign Out and follow the prompts. 

Once done, wait for at least five minutes to let your data refresh. Re-login to your Apple ID afterward and check if the problem is solved. 

4. Two-Factor Authentication Workaround (Old Gen Apple TV).

If you are using an older generation Apple TV, they won’t show the interface to input your authentication code when signing into your Apple ID. 

Now, this won’t be a problem if you are not using two-factor authentication on your Apple ID. 

But, if you do, you’ll have to follow these steps to get around the authentication process: 

1. First, log in to your Apple ID on your Apple TV. 
2. Enter your password and click Submit. You should receive an authentication code on your iPhone or other active devices. 
3. Now, the login screen on your Apple TV will refresh and will ask for your password again. This time, enter your password and include the authentication code you received at the end of your password. 
4. Click Submit to continue. 

By doing this workaround, you should be able to add your Apple ID on an older-generation Apple TV that has no interface for two-factor authentication. 

5. Remove Your Profile. 

If your Apple TV still keeps asking for your password, you can try removing your current user profile. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

1. Open Settings on your Apple TV. 
2. Now, go to User and Accounts. 

3. Access your profile. 
4. Scroll all the way down and click Remove User from Apple TV. 

5. Confirm your action by clicking Remove in the pop-up window.
6. Restart your Apple TV. 

Add another user profile and sign in to your Apple ID. Observe if you will still get random prompts for your password. 

6. Remove Password Requirement. 

If you’re annoyed with the password prompt when downloading apps on your Apple TV, you can disable this option on your device. 

This way, you can download any app without having to enter your password using a remote and an awkward on-screen keyboard. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

1. Go to Settings on your Apple TV. 
2. Now, open User and Accounts. 

3. Click on your Profile. 
4. Under Purchases, click on Free Downloads and select No. You can also do this for the Purchases tab, but it will allow anyone to download paid apps on your Apple TV. 

Once done, you should now be able to download applications from the App Store without entering your Apple ID password. 

Related: How to Fix YouTube Not Working on Apple TV

7. Update Apple TV. 

There might be a problem with your Apple TV’s software that causes it to continuously ask for your Apple ID password. 

To rule this out, check if there are available updates for your device and install them. This should patch possible bugs and glitches in your system. 

Follow the steps below to update your Apple TV: 

1. Access Settings on your Apple TV. 
2. Now, go to System > Software Updates. 

3. Click on Update Software. 

4. If there’s an available update, click on Download and Install. 
5. Wait for the update to complete. 

Go with your normal Apple TV usage and observe if you’ll still encounter the annoying password prompt. 

8. Contact Apple. 

If none of the solutions above worked, it’s time to seek help from the experts. Visit Apple’s support page and look up the issue you’re experiencing. 

Apple’s help center should suggest a few fixes that you can try along with helpful articles about the problem or Apple ID. 

You can also contact their team through phone or chat if none of the suggested solutions worked. There might be an issue with your Apple ID that needs action on their end. 

That brings us to the end of our guide on how to fix Apple TV if it keeps asking for your password. 

If you have questions, please leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to help. 

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