Fix Apple TV "Content Unavailable" And "An Error Occurred Loading This Content" (2025)

Updated: 11/29/2025

You sit down to watch a show, press play, and instead of the episode you see Content Unavailable or There is a problem loading this content on your Apple TV. Other apps might work, or the same title might even play on your phone, which makes the message feel totally random. These Apple TV errors usually come from a shaky internet connection, a bug in the Apple TV app, or outdated tvOS software, not from the title suddenly disappearing forever [web:85][web:87][web:90][web:96][web:99][web:102].

Table of Contents

Method 1: Check Internet And Apple Services

Before you reset anything, make sure your Apple TV actually has a clean path to Apple servers and the streaming service you are trying to use, since weak or unstable networks are the number one cause of Content Unavailable errors [web:87][web:96][web:99].

Step 1: Test Other Streaming Apps

On your Apple TV, open a different app such as YouTube, Netflix, or another service and try playing any video. If these apps also buffer forever or show similar loading errors, the problem is almost certainly your internet connection, not a specific Apple TV channel [web:87][web:96].

Step 2: Restart Modem, Router, And Apple TV

Unplug your modem and router for at least 30 seconds, plug them back in, and wait until all lights are stable. Then on Apple TV, go to Settings > System > Restart or for older models Settings > General > Restart, and after it reboots, test the same show again [web:87][web:96][web:102].

Step 3: Check Apple System Status For Outages

On a phone or computer, visit Apple System Status, look for Apple TV and related media services, and confirm they are marked as available. If Apple lists a current issue, you will need to wait until the status turns green again before the error disappears on your Apple TV [web:87][web:93][web:96].

Method 2: Refresh Apple TV App, Account, And Cache

From the Apple TV Home screen, highlight the app that always shows Content Unavailable, press and hold the clickpad center until it jiggles, then press Play or Pause and choose Delete. After removal, open the App Store on Apple TV, search for the same app, reinstall it, sign in again, and test playback [web:85][web:87][web:96].

Warning: Deleting a third party app does not cancel subscriptions, it only removes local data, check your subscription settings separately if you no longer want to be billed [web:87][web:99].

Method 3: Update tvOS And Reset As A Last Resort

If a particular show or movie still refuses to play while others work fine, collect the title name, time of failure, and any on screen message, then contact Apple Support through their website or support app. Provide these details along with your Apple TV model so they can check for regional rights issues or account level flags that do not show in the normal interface [web:87][web:93][web:99].