AetherAether / Help
Troubleshooting
Fixes for the problems people run into — servers that can't be reached, sign-ins that fail, videos that won't play — and how to send diagnostics.
Can't reach a server or share at home
Almost always Local Network access. Aether shows "Allow Local Network access (Settings ▸ Privacy & Security ▸ Local Network ▸ Aether)" when it is missing — turn it on there in the system Settings, then try again. An SMB share that is unreachable away from home shows "Off network — reconnects automatically when you're home".
Signing in
| Message | What to do |
|---|---|
| Plex: "Code expired" / "Sign-in timed out" | Start the sign-in again and enter the new code at plex.tv/link promptly. |
| Plex: "No servers found" | Check that your Plex Media Server is powered on and signed in to the same Plex account. |
| Plex: "… doesn't have any movie or show libraries Aether can read yet" | Add a Movies or TV Shows library on that server. |
| Jellyfin: "Quick Connect is turned off on this server" | Enable it in Jellyfin ▸ Dashboard ▸ Quick Connect, or use username and password. |
| Jellyfin: "Couldn't reach a Jellyfin server at that address" | Check the address and port (Jellyfin's usual port is 8096); include http:// or https:// if your server needs one. |
| Jellyfin / Emby / Silo: "Wrong username or password" | Re-enter the credentials of a user on that server. |
| Emby Connect: "No servers are linked to this Emby Connect account yet" | Link the server to your Emby Connect account in its dashboard. |
| Emby Connect: "This server didn't accept the Emby Connect sign-in" | Sign in on that server once with a username and password, then try again. |
| Silo: can't connect | Use the port Silo's Jellyfin-compatible API listens on — 8096 by default, 8097 on older installs — not the web app's port, and make sure that API is enabled. |
| SMB: "The server rejected the sign-in" | Check the username and password — and the Domain/Workgroup, if your server needs one. |
| SMB: "… no shares we can read" | Enter a specific Folder in the share's settings. |
| WebDAV: "The server answered, but not as WebDAV" | Many servers serve WebDAV under a sub-path such as /dav or /remote.php/dav — add it to the URL. |
| Nexus: "Couldn't reach …" | Check that the Mac is awake, that Nexus is running, and that you are on the same network. A pairing code works once and expires after a few minutes. |
| IPTV: "That URL didn't return any channels" | Make sure the URL points to an M3U playlist. "The server refused the playlist" means the provider rejected the request (check the credentials or subscription). |
| Set Up from iPhone: can't reach the Apple TV | Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, with Set Up from iPhone still open on the TV. If asked, update Aether on both devices. |
A video won't play, or looks wrong
- It won't start, or subtitles look wrong: try the Prism player — Settings ▸ Playback ▸ Video Player ▸ Prism — and play it again. If a title fails, the error screen can also hand the stream to another installed player app.
- Dolby Vision looks too dark or tinted: turn off Settings ▸ Playback ▸ Dolby Vision; titles with an HDR base layer then play as regular HDR (Dolby Vision Profile 5 titles have none and stay Dolby Vision).
- No Picture in Picture or AirPlay: they are not available with Prism or the PrismCore Software Path. Switch Video Player back to Aether.
- The TV doesn't switch frame rate or HDR on Apple TV: turn on Match Content (Match Dynamic Range and Match Frame Rate) in the Apple TV's own Settings ▸ Video and Audio.
- Buffering from a slow server: when Aether notices, it offers Download and Play, Choose a Smaller Version or Keep Waiting. You can also pick a lower Default Quality (Settings ▸ Playback) so the server converts the title to a lower bitrate.
- Vision Pro Cinema doesn't start: make sure no other app's immersive space is already open.
Sending diagnostics
A diagnostics report lets the developer see what went wrong. It contains no tokens, passwords or account details, and you can review it before it is sent.
- iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro: Settings ▸ Help & About ▸ Send Diagnostics, then Send to Developer. The report is uploaded through iCloud with your own Apple Account, and you get a reference — quote it on Discord or in an email so the report can be found. Send via Mail sends it to support@aetherplayer.com instead.
- Apple TV: Settings ▸ Support & About ▸ Send Diagnostics. The Diagnostics screen there shows a readable snapshot of sources, library, downloads and cache, including recent crashes and hangs.
- Report a Bug (iPhone, iPad) opens an email with your app version, device and a token-free activity log attached.
- Debug Mode records everything instead of errors only — turn it on before reproducing a problem, then send diagnostics. Log shows the current run.
If sending fails: "Sign in to iCloud on this device to send a report, or use the email option instead", or "Couldn't reach iCloud. Check your connection and try again."
Starting over
Settings ▸ Help & About ▸ Reset ▸ Erase All Content & Settings removes everything Aether stored on the device and returns it to a fresh install.
Getting help
- Email support@aetherplayer.com — the support page has more.
- Join the Aether Discord (Join our Discord in Settings) for questions and feature requests.
Known issues
- Dolby Atmos passthrough is not available with the Prism player.
- Server sign-ins synced through iCloud Keychain do not reach Apple TV; use Set Up from iPhone.
- Parental Controls apply only to the device they are set on.
- Wi-Fi Upload works only while Aether is open in the foreground.