Strange Thing Happening

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1

This is kinda convoluted, but wondering if anyone had an idea of what might be going on here.

I have an Apple TV 4K. It is connected to my network via a ethernet over power line adapter. Seems to work just fine. It is not connected in any way to HE, other than itself being on Homekit.

Across the room there is a Z-wave light switch to turn on the back outside lights. Which of course is connected to HE.

Periodically the TV screen would go blank and there was a little circle thingy indicating it was trying to connect to the network. It would last a few seconds then all would be fine.

Quite by accident I noticed that it happened when I turned on, physically, the light switch mentioned above. I can't get it to happen all the time, but enough that it seems that is what is causing the network lapse on the TV.

Anyone have any idea what would make this happen? It's not a big deal, but really puzzling.

2

The light switch may be on the same circuit as the ethernet over power line adapter. When the light switch is turned on, it may be causing the EOPL adapter to momentarily disconnect. As a test, see if you can move the adapter to a different outlet. You may need a long ethernet cable to then reach the Apple TV.

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3

Could the ethernet over power line be a factor?

4

How about if the hub and tv were both plugged into the ethernet over power line?

5

It most likely is since it provides the network connectivity to the OP's Apple TV. It's dropping its connection causing what the OP sees above.

The hub likely has nothing to do with the OP's issue.

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6

The switch and the ethernet over power line are on different circuits. I checked that.

The hub is connected directly to the router, not thru a power line adapter.

I just don't understand why the switch would affect that tho.

7

That doesn't sound like the TV trying to connect to the network to me, it sounds more like the HDMI connection dropping out and handshaking to re-establish.

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8

That could be. Same question tho as to why the switch would affect that.

9

If this is happening when you're viewing the Apple TV on that screen I'd do the HDMI test within the Apple TV Settings but regardless of whether that's a pass or fail I'd switch that cable out to a certified ultra high speed one.

It's difficult to know why exactly it's happening but it sounds like electrical noise is upsetting the connection.

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10

Does the Apple TV interface remain visible the whole time? That sounds like it could be a network problem (not necessarily).

Or does the TV interface go entirely blank and then start with a spinning circle? That doesn’t sound like a network issue.

@johnwill1 is right, you need to localize where the problem is actually occurring first.

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11

It does appear that it is a HDMI issue. I never knew the HDMI test was there. When I did that I got the same spinning circle. And the test failed. Will get a new cable and try that.

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New cable. HDMI test passes. Will see what happens with switch.

I knew that folks on here could solve about anything even non HE stuff.

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