Troubleshooting Apple TV Screen Turning Off When Connected to LG OLED TV

Experiencing unexpected screen turn-offs while using your Apple TV with an LG OLED TV can be frustrating, especially when you've already configured the Apple TV to never enter sleep mode. This comprehensive guide explores the most common causes of this issue and provides detailed solutions to help you maintain a seamless viewing experience.

1. HDMI-CEC (Simplink) Settings

HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), known as Simplink on LG TVs, allows connected devices to communicate and control each other via the HDMI connection. While this feature is designed for convenience, it can sometimes lead to unintended behaviors, such as your TV turning off unexpectedly.

a. Understanding HDMI-CEC (Simplink)

HDMI-CEC facilitates control commands between devices connected through HDMI. For instance, turning off your Apple TV can inadvertently signal the LG TV to power down, disrupting your viewing.

b. Disabling Simplink on LG OLED TV

1. Press the Settings button on your LG TV remote.
2. Navigate to All Settings > General.
3. Locate Simplink (HDMI-CEC) and toggle it Off.

c. Adjusting HDMI-CEC Settings on Apple TV

1. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices.
2. Find Control TVs and Receivers and set it to Off.
3. Alternatively, disable specific features like TV Turn On/Off if available.

Disabling HDMI-CEC on both devices often resolves the issue by preventing mutual control commands that lead to the TV turning off.

2. LG OLED TV’s Power Management Settings

LG OLED TVs come equipped with various power-saving features that might override your connected devices' settings, causing the screen to turn off unexpectedly.

a. Auto Power Off

1. Press the Settings button on your LG remote.
2. Navigate to All Settings > General > Timers.
3. Locate the Auto Power Off option and set it to Off or extend the timeout duration.

b. Energy Saving Mode

1. Go to Settings > General > Energy Saving.
2. Set Energy Saver to Off.

c. Screen Saver Settings

1. Navigate to Settings > General > Screen Saver.
2. Disable the screen saver or adjust the activation period to a longer duration.

By customizing these power management settings, you ensure that your LG OLED TV remains active as long as your Apple TV is in use, preventing unexpected shutdowns.

3. Firmware and Software Updates

Outdated firmware on either the Apple TV or the LG OLED TV can lead to compatibility issues, resulting in the screen turning off unexpectedly.

a. Updating Apple TV

1. Navigate to Settings > System > Software Updates on your Apple TV.
2. Select Update Software and follow the on-screen instructions if an update is available.

b. Updating LG OLED TV

1. Go to Settings > All Settings > Support > Software Update.
2. Select Check for Updates and install any available firmware updates.

Regularly updating both devices ensures that any known bugs or compatibility issues are addressed, maintaining optimal performance.

4. HDMI Cable and Port Integrity

Physical connections play a crucial role in the performance of your devices. A faulty HDMI cable or compromised ports can disrupt the signal, causing the TV to turn off.

a. Quality of HDMI Cable

Ensure that you are using a high-quality HDMI cable, preferably rated for 4K/HDR (e.g., HDMI 2.0 or 2.1). Low-quality or damaged cables can lead to intermittent signal loss.

b. Testing Different HDMI Ports

1. Disconnect the Apple TV from its current HDMI port.
2. Connect it to a different HDMI port on your LG OLED TV.

c. Direct Connection

Connect the Apple TV directly to the LG TV instead of through an AV receiver or HDMI switch. This minimizes potential points of failure and ensures a more stable connection.

By verifying the integrity of your HDMI connections, you can eliminate hardware-related causes of the screen turning off.

5. Power Supply and Connection Stability

An unstable power supply or loose connections can cause both the Apple TV and the LG OLED TV to shut down unexpectedly.

a. Inspecting Power Cords

1. Ensure that the Apple TV’s power cord is securely connected and free from damage.
2. Consider using a different power cord or plugging the Apple TV into another power outlet to rule out power-related issues.

b. Power Cycling Devices

1. Unplug both the Apple TV and the LG OLED TV from the power source.
2. Wait for approximately 60 seconds to allow residual power to dissipate.
3. Plug the devices back in and power them on.

Power cycling can reset temporary glitches and restore stable operation between your devices.

6. Apple TV Settings Configuration

While you've set your Apple TV to never sleep, ensuring all related settings are correctly configured is essential.

a. Sleep Settings

1. Go to Settings > General > Sleep After.
2. Set this option to Never to prevent the Apple TV from entering sleep mode.

b. Screensaver Settings

1. Navigate to Settings > General > Screensaver.
2. Set Start After to Never.

c. Resetting Apple TV

1. Go to Settings > System > Reset.
2. Select Reset and Update to erase all content and settings, then update to the latest software.

Properly configuring these settings ensures that the Apple TV remains active and continuously communicates with the LG OLED TV.

7. External Audio Equipment and ARC/eARC Configuration

If you have external audio devices, such as a soundbar connected via ARC or eARC, conflicts in HDMI-CEC protocols can arise, leading to the TV turning off.

a. Checking ARC/eARC Compatibility

Ensure that both the LG OLED TV and the external audio device are compatible with ARC/eARC and that their settings are correctly configured.

b. Disabling CEC on Audio Devices

1. Consult your audio device’s manual to disable HDMI-CEC or similar control features.
2. Alternatively, adjust settings to prevent the audio device from sending power commands to the TV.

By managing how external audio equipment interacts with your TV, you can prevent unintended shutdowns caused by HDMI-CEC conflicts.

8. Addressing Hardware Issues

If all software and settings adjustments fail to resolve the problem, there may be underlying hardware issues with either the Apple TV or the LG OLED TV.

a. Testing with Alternate Devices

1. Connect the Apple TV to a different TV to see if the issue persists.
2. Alternatively, connect a different streaming device to the LG OLED TV.

b. Contacting Support

If testing reveals persistent issues, contact Apple Support or LG OLED TV Support for professional assistance and potential hardware repairs.

Conclusion

The issue of your LG OLED TV screen turning off while using Apple TV, despite settings to prevent sleep, is typically rooted in HDMI-CEC configurations, power management settings, or firmware incompatibilities. By systematically adjusting HDMI-CEC (Simplink) settings on both devices, ensuring power management features on the TV are disabled or appropriately configured, maintaining up-to-date firmware, and verifying the integrity of your HDMI connections, you can effectively resolve this problem.

If these troubleshooting steps do not alleviate the issue, it is advisable to investigate potential hardware malfunctions or seek assistance from Apple or LG support teams. Implementing these solutions should restore uninterrupted operation between your Apple TV and LG OLED TV, enhancing your overall viewing experience.