Apple TV “the code is incorrect” error… when the code is correct!

We ran into a weird scenario where a user could not connect to Apple TV with a passcode. We tried all the usual troubleshooting stuff:

Does it work with another computer? Yes, it does.
Does it work with another user on the same computer? No, it doesn’t.
Toggle Bluetooth? Makes no difference.
Reboot the AppleTV and the computer. No difference.
Double-check the key mapping is fine on the Mac itself. It is.
Try to connect to a different Apple TV. Same problem.
Is the time correct? Seems to be.

Ah, but that ended up being the problem (kudos to my colleague, Jerold, for finding this)—even though the time and date were technically “correct,” we had to turn on location services and then set the time zone to be detected automatically in order for the Mac to connect to the Apple TV.

That’s weird. It’s weird because the time and date were definitely correct, and it’s weird because other Macs do not have the time zone set to be detected automatically and are still able to connect to Apple TVs on campus.

But if you run into this issue where you’re prompted for a passcode to connect to an Apple TV, and it keeps giving you the code is incorrect when you’re absolutely sure you’ve typed the correct code, consider setting the time zone for automatic detection.

Posted

February 28, 2017

Uncategorized

alanysiu

Tags:

appletv, macos, troubleshooting

Comments

14 responses to “Apple TV “the code is incorrect” error… when the code is correct!”

Dave

April 20, 2017

YES YES YES !! After trying about a million other things – resetting the stupid name worked.

My issue started when I updated my iphones to 10.3.1. Well, I didnt want to update, but Apple kept forcing the issue.

At least this fix worked, but 30mins of my life are gone forever…

Reply
Perez

November 18, 2017

Your tip worked perfectly ! Thank you

Reply
David

January 12, 2018

Well, checked my MBP and AirPlay settings and both were set as described above, and STILL the password entered into my MBP from the AirPlay Screen showed “incorrect”. Any other suggestions?

Reply
1. Alan Siu
  
  January 12, 2018
  
  No, unfortunately… even that time zone thing was a shot in the dark.
  
  Reply
2. Alejandro
  
  March 4, 2018
  
  Same problem here. Did you finally solved it? If so, how?
  
  I’ve tried to change the name. I’ve changed location from manual to auto.
  
  I’ve reseted everything.
  
  My problem started with my mac when I updated my iPhone.
  
  Reply
  1. Alejandro
    
    March 4, 2018
    
    I was able to avoid the password error going to:
    
    Airplay -> Airplay -> Anybody in the same network -> request password -> never.
    
    But now, when mirroring to apple tv the screen stays black.
    
    Reply
    1. Thomas
      
      March 10, 2018
      
      I have a 4K Apple TV and this option worked for me after all of the previous attempts failed:
      
      Airplay -> Airplay -> “Everyone” -> “Use a Password”
      
      Using a password rather than using a pairing code seemed to be the difference.
      
      Reply
      1. o
        
        May 26, 2018
        
        Worked for me. Thanks
      2. Ali
        
        July 5, 2018
        
        Thanks man, solved!
      3. Michal
        
        June 15, 2019
        
        Didn’t work the first time I tried it. But then I restarted my computer since I changed a setting and viola! Thanks!!!!
      4. David
        
        February 14, 2020
        
        Thankyou so much. the password worked. u sir are a genius.
Jacques Theron

August 5, 2018

thank you !

Reply
SJ

October 15, 2018

Worked for me using Apple TV 4th Gen. Remember to Restart the Apple TV after changing the time zone setting

Reply
Jack Hartman

October 17, 2018

Tried all those things. Nothing worked. So, I go to Airplay and set “require a password”. Then used it. That worked.

Reply