AirPlay is a handy feature highly valued by Apple users. However, on rare occasions, the technology can be temperamental, leaving you unable to use AirPlay. Today, we delve into the main reasons why AirPlay may not be working on your Sony TV and provide all the necessary solutions.
What to Do if AirPlay Isn’t Working on Your Sony TV
If AirPlay isn’t working on your Sony TV, begin by power-cycling your television by unplugging it for at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in and turning it on. Also, make sure that all your devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
1. Is Your Sony TV Compatible with AirPlay?
The AirPlay function is available on Sony TVs running Android TV. This includes models from the Series: A75K and above, or W8xxK and the X74K and above or the Z8H and above. These models typically run Android 9 as a minimum. If your TV is running a version earlier than Android 9, it is highly likely that your Sony TV does not support Apple’s AirPlay feature.
To know the Android version of your TV, you need to:
- Press the HOME button on the remote.
- Select Settings.
- The next steps depend on the menu options of your television:
- Select Device Preferences — About — Version (Android 9).
- Select About — Version (Android 8.0 or earlier version).
To check if your Sony TV is AirPlay compatible, turn it on and press the Sources button on your remote. Select Edit, and if the AirPlay icon (a triangle topped with three concentric circles) appears in the scrollable source menu, then it is compatible.
2. Restart Your Sony TV
To restart your Sony TV, the best solution is what’s known as a power cycle. The procedure is quite simple:
- Turn off your TV.
- Unplug the TV from the power outlet.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in, then turn on the TV.
3. All Your Devices on the Same Wi-Fi Network
AirPlay is a protocol that relies on Wi-Fi. Therefore, it’s crucial that the Apple device you want to use is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV.
If you are using powerline adapters or a Wi-Fi repeater, also choose the same network and frequency here.
4. Check if AirPlay is Enabled on Your Sony TV
Having the AirPlay icon on your TV menu doesn’t necessarily mean the feature is active. To activate it, initiate an exchange between your TV and your Apple device. A code will appear on your screen to repeat on the TV, after which the two devices can communicate.
To share a video from your Apple device to your Sony TV, first ensure that you’re on the same Wi-Fi network. Then, click on the AirPlay icon that appears during video playback. Select the Sony TV as the playback device, and the video will play on the TV. To mirror your iPhone or iPad screen, swipe your finger from top to bottom to open the Control Centre, press Screen Mirroring, and select your Sony TV.
Note that to access AirPlay, you must first activate Sony’s Smart TV services by accepting BRAVIA’s privacy policy.
5. Disable Your Mac’s Firewall
If you’re having trouble getting AirPlay to work between your Mac and your Sony TV, you might want to consider disabling your Mac’s firewall. Here’s how to do it:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on Security & Privacy.
- Go to the Firewall tab.
- Enter your administrative password on the lock icon at the bottom left of the screen.
- Click on Disable Firewall.
6. Restart Your Internet Router
AirPlay might struggle to recognize your Sony TV due to potential issues with your Wi-Fi router.
To solve this, restart your internet router and then try using AirPlay with your Sony TV again.
7. Update Your Sony TV
Ensure your Sony TV is up-to-date as this can improve not only the functionality of AirPlay but also the performance of other applications and services on your TV.
While TVs often update automatically, you can force this update if necessary. Here’s how to do it with your Android TV remote:
- Press the Help button.
- Select Privacy Settings. If you’ve already done this during your TV’s initial setup, skip to the next step.
- Accept the privacy policy.
- Go to System Update or Automatic Software Download.
- Enable the Automatic Software Download feature to allow automatic system updates.
Remember that accepting the privacy policy is mandatory for the update to initiate.
8. Reset Your Sony TV
Resetting to factory settings is often the best way to resolve any operational issues on a Sony TV, including when AirPlay isn’t working. There are multiple ways to do this.
With the Remote:
- Turn on your TV, then use the remote to access the menu by pressing the Home button.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- Depending on your TV model, choose either Device Preferences or About.
- Look for the Reset option and activate it.
- Choose Factory Settings Reset.
- Select Erase everything and if necessary, enter the parental lock password.
- To confirm your choice, press Yes.
Without the Remote:
If you don’t have your remote handy, it’s still possible to reset your Sony Bravia to factory settings. Here are two methods:
Using the TV’s Buttons:
On some TV models, you will need to locate the + and – buttons and power button on the frame of your TV. To reset your TV with these buttons, follow these steps:
- Unplug your TV from the electrical outlet.
- Hold down both the Power and Volume – (minus) buttons at the same time you plug your TV back in.
- Continue holding both buttons down until the Sony logo appears on the screen.
- If this method doesn’t work, try the next one.
Using a USB Computer Keyboard:
If you have a USB computer keyboard, you can plug it into your Sony Bravia’s USB port and use the keys to navigate the menu and reset the TV:
- Use the directional arrows, the numeric keypad, and the Enter key to navigate your TV’s menu.
- Select the Factory Reset option and confirm your choice by pressing Enter.
After the reset is complete, you will need to reload your apps and re-enter your Wi-Fi credentials. But you should have resolved the issue you were having with AirPlay.
How to Enable AirPlay on Your Sony TV?
AirPlay comes preinstalled on your Sony TV and is accessible in the input source menu.
To enable it if it’s not already activated, press the Input Source button on your remote control, then select AirPlay and navigate to AirPlay and HomeKit Settings to enable it.
Once activated, simply use the AirPlay icon on your Apple device to share a video, and it will start playing on your TV. The first time, a code may appear on your Apple device that needs to be entered on the TV.
Please note that both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for this to work.
In Summary
The main issues encountered between AirPlay and Sony TV are often due to easily fixable symptoms.
- All devices must use the same Wi-Fi network.
- Restart the Internet router and the TV.
- Reset the Internet router and the TV.
Performing these checks is a good starting point before further troubleshooting the problem.
