IPhone/iPad unable to see iMac/Apple TV until router reboot (affects AirPlay, Remote app, Wi-Fi sync)

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Every few days my iPhone (4) and/or iPad (3rd generation) lose their ability to "see" my iMac and/or Apple TV on the network. This means:

  • The Remote app shows zero sources available for Home Sharing (normally will show both the iMac and the Apple TV)
  • AirPlay cannot be used to send audio or video to the Apple TV
  • Wi-Fi sync will not work (states that it will resume when iMac is available)

Power cycling my router (a Linksys E2000) fixes the problem temporarily, but it always comes back.

Thanks for your help.

Best Answer

Sounds like a router problem. Bonjour/Zeroconf uses multicast to reach all hosts on the network - if the router treats these incorrectly you have the problem.

If the rest of the network works correctly, then the simplest thing might simply be to replace the master router of your network with an Apple router (they tend to work well with Apple units) and set the current router to be just the internet uplink.

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