Getting Apple TV Error 3905? Here’s What’s Going On

Are you bending over backwards trying to figure out why you’re getting Apple TV Error 3905?

I’m honestly not surprised! This may be hard to believe, but thousands of people are affected by this every day.

I know it can be super annoying not to be able to fully enjoy a device you paid such a hefty sum for.

But don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place for answers. Below, you’ll find a list of several causes that might explain what’s going on and many ways to address them.

The 6 main things you can do to stop getting Apple TV Error 3905 are checking your internet connection, disabling your VPN, and updating/restarting your Apple TV. If that doesn’t work, you can also try updating your TV and factory resetting your Apple TV.

Keep reading to fall back in love with your device!

What Exactly Is Error 3905?

Apple TV Error 3905 means that your device is having trouble connecting to the internet. You might be tempted to think that this means something’s wrong with your connection or service provider. And while this is a strong possibility, there are many other factors that could also be at play.

Having cleared that up, let’s dive in.

#1 Check Your Internet Connection

As I said, this is the most common source of the problem, so it’s worth checking out first.

Granted, in most cases noticing when your network is struggling is very easy, as you’ll be cut off from the internet. But sometimes your signal might only be weak. This would allow you to keep browsing the web light or chat while also getting Apple TV Error 3905.

Why? Because each activity has different requirements.

Chatting via WhatsApp or Google searching your favorite actor’s height is much easier on your network than loading Apple TV’s interface or streaming content online.

In general, most streaming services need at least 5 Mbps for playback in Full HD resolution (1920 × 1080p), and a whopping 25 Mbps for 4K (3840 × 2160p). And even if you’re only trying to navigate through your device’s Home Screen, a stable and strong connection is always useful.

If your plan does not meet these requirements, you might experience this and other issues, such as Error 1021, blurry video, and much more.

Solution: Assuming that you live with many people and your internet plan is not the fastest, there’s a good chance this is the source of the issue. I recommend multiplying the number of people you share your home network with by the Mbps your preferred resolution demands.

For example, if you live with 2 more people, and you all love 4K content, you’ll need a plan that offers at least 75 Mbps (3 people x 25 Mbps).

Assuming that your connection is already fast enough, try calling your provider and asking if they’re having issues. If they tell you everything’s fine on their end, resetting your modem might work.

Never done it before? That’s ok! It’s very easy:

1. Without unplugging the modem, turn it around so that you can see the back of the unit

2. Locate the reset button (more often than not, it’s not a button, but a small hole with a “Reset” label on it)

3. Use a paper clip or a thin toothpick to press down on the actual button inside this hole. Hold it down until all the lights at the front of the unit turn on, and then turn off

4. For a brief moment, all lights on the modem will be off, that’s your cue to stop holding down the reset button

5. Wait a couple of minutes and try streaming something on your Apple TV. If your modem or provider were to blame, you should no longer be getting Error 3905.

#2 Disable Your VPN

I know, I know. How could such a useful tool be causing so much trouble?

Well, it all boils down to your choices. You see, although there are several free VPN options out there, I’m still yet to find out that doesn’t bottleneck my internet speed. Most of the cost-free alternatives can’t handle fast networks well and struggle to keep you connected.

This can result in you getting Apple TV Error 3905, as your device’s ability to communicate with your internet at home is being affected.

The fastest and most cost-effective way to solve this issue is to disable your VPN. But if that’s not on the table for you, you can always buy a premium VPN subscription. There are great options out there with yearly memberships that go for as little as $60.

These also offer obfuscated servers, which are great at making your VPN traffic look like normal traffic, decreasing your chances of being blocked by your favorite streaming platforms.

Solution: Many VPN providers have free Premium trials. I’d recommend trying them all and seeing which one fits your needs best.

#3 Update Your Apple TV

Keeping their streaming devices updated doesn’t seem to be on most people’s list of priorities, but it should be.

With every release, app developers try their best to install as many new features and fix as many bugs as they possibly can. By using an older Apple TV software version, you’re opening the door to many technical difficulties, such as being unable to download apps to your device, log-in issues, and much more.

Now, normally you shouldn’t have to worry about this, as there’s automatic updating. But sometimes a weak connection or a bug can get in the way.

In such a case, you’ll have to manually download and install the latest software version to your device.

Solution: I know this may sound challenging, but it’s actually very easy:

1. Go to Settings>System>Software Updates, and select “Update Software”
2. If there’s an update available, you’ll see an option that says “Update and Install”
3. Wait for the process to be completed and keep your Apple TV connected to its power source at all times

If this didn’t work, don’t sweat it. There’s still a lot of ground left to cover. Keep reading to discover more fixes to this issue!

#4 Restart Your Apple TV

Sometimes, the simplest answer might be the right one.

There’s a good chance that all you need to do to stop getting Apple TV Error 3905 is restart the device and relaunch it.

Why does this work so well? Simple!

Whenever we use our favorite streaming devices, there are thousands of background processes running at the same time. More often than not, they work as you’d expect, and that’s that. But sometimes, a corrupted file or coding bug can make them crash and cause the device to act weird.

By restarting your Apple TV, you’ll be giving it a chance to get rid of any troublemakers and load many of its resources from scratch.

And the best part is that this fix works for about 90% of all technical difficulties out there. Don’t be afraid to try it out!

Solution: There are many ways you can go about this. Any of the options below should help you restart your device successfully:

1. On your Siri Remote, press and hold both the “<” and the “TV” button (it looks like a screen) at the same time until your Apple TV status light starts blinking rapidly. For first-gen Siri Remotes, replace the “<” button with the “MENU” button
2. Disconnect the device from its power source, wait 5 seconds and then reconnect it
3. Go to Settings>System>Restart

#5 Update Your TV

While keeping your streaming devices updated will improve this situation greatly, you won’t see the full benefits of it unless your TV is also running on its latest software.

TVs and streaming devices are like the gears within a car engine. One can’t work properly if the other is failing or underperforming.

Now, like your Apple TV, your TV should update automatically. But if for whatever reason this doesn’t happen, you’ll have to interfere manually again.

Solution: There are thousands of different TV models and manufacturers out there. Guiding you through the process of updating each one would not be a good use of your time.

Instead, please go to Google and search for “How to update <Your TV’s Make And Model Go Here>”. You should be able to find several detailed instructions for your specific case.

Here’s how to do it on an LG TV to paint you a picture:

1. Go to Settings>All Settings>General
2. Select “About this TV”
3. There should be an option that says “Check for Updates”. Select it and install the newer software version of your TV if available
4. Once the process is completed, wait a couple of minutes to make sure everything’s been installed successfully

#6 Factory Reset Your Apple TV

Finally, let’s go to our last resort.

If nothing else has worked so far, we might need to be a little more aggressive. When all else fails, considering a Factory Reset is not the worst idea.

As its name suggests, the process will revert your Apple TV to brand-new condition. This will delete your downloaded apps, user preferences, and favorite settings, wiping the device’s memory clean.

I know this is far from ideal. But sometimes it might be the only way to get things back up and running. I bet this won’t be the last time you’ll ever have to do this, so here’s a useful tip for future you.

Keep a list of all your downloaded apps and their respective login credentials written down somewhere safe. This way, you won’t have to go through the annoying process of remembering what to re-download once all’s been said and done.

Solution: If you’re sure there’s nothing else you can try, here’s what you have to do to factory reset your Apple TV. It’s a very straightforward process:

1. On your Apple TV, go to Settings>System>Reset
2. Once you’re asked for confirmation, select “Reset” again

This can take a while to complete. Please be patient and test your Apple TV once you can use it again.

Conclusion

Getting Apple TV Error 3905 can be very annoying. No one wants to troubleshoot and play technician after a long day at work. Besides, the whole point of owning one of these expensive devices is to make your life simpler. When did things take a turn for the worse?

What a disaster!

Luckily, as I hope you’ve learned in this piece, addressing most of the causes behind this is very easy. In most cases, using a VPN that can handle your internet connection, and double-checking that your modem is working properly, should do the trick.

Thank you so much for sticking with me all the way to the end. If you found this article helpful, you’ll be happy to know that we upload new content weekly. Check out our other wonderful resources below to become a Tech Detective yourself!

I wish you nothing but the best.