
Documentaries, TV shows, and short videos.
Discovery Plus has every type of content you may want to watch after a long day.
But well, you can’t really access any of these…
If the app isn’t working on your Apple TV, right?
However, the stress is over.
Because I’m here to help.
So just…
Continue reading to learn:
- 7 lifesaving fixes to solve this problem.
- How you can update the Discovery Plus app to get it working again.
- 3 websites you can use to check if the servers of Discovery Plus are down.
- And much, much more…
Why is Discovery Plus not working on my Apple TV?
Discovery Plus isn’t working on your Apple TV because its servers are down. Sometimes, this happens because your Internet is too slow. And in other cases, it’s because you’re using an outdated version of the app.
Discovery Plus not working on Apple TV: 7 fixes
#1: Check if Discovery Plus is down
Understand that the problem isn’t always from your end.
See, streaming platforms can also crash and fail just like your devices can.
If you think about it, millions of users are always using Discovery Plus.
And although technology can work wonders…
They also have their limits. So the servers may have overloaded.
And that’s why you can’t load or access the app now.
“How do I check if Discovery Plus is down?”
Now, the app doesn’t have an official website that states the status of its servers.
But fortunately, there are a lot of 3rd party sites you can use instead.
Check the status of Discovery Plus:
So just click 1 of these links, and they’ll tell you whether the streaming platform is down or not.
“It says the Discovery Plus is down. What do I do now?”
In that case, all you can do is wait.
But don’t worry. Server shutdowns like these don’t last long.
And in fact, they rarely even exceed 24 hours at all.
So come back tomorrow, and Discovery Plus will most likely be working by then.
However, if you find that its servers are working, but you can’t use the app…
Then you should continue to the next solution. Which is to…
#2: Power cycle your Apple TV
Your Apple TV may be the 1 causing this issue. And not the Discovery Plus app itself.
See, like all streaming devices, your Apple TV is also prone to glitches and bugs.
And when your device gets these, it won’t be able to work correctly.
However, don’t worry.
Even if your Apple TV is glitching, it doesn’t mean it’s broken.
See, your device just needs a little refresher.
And you can provide that through a power cycle.
“What’s that?”
A power cycle means unplugging your device from the outlet and then plugging it again.
Easy, right?
But don’t let its simplicity trick you into thinking that it’s not effective. See…
A power cycle allows your Apple TV to:
- Stop ongoing tasks and restart its apps.
- Delete temporary caches that may be slowing it down.
- Remove any minor glitches that are stuck to the system.
So really, it’s a powerful tool that can fix many issues…
Including the 1 you’re experiencing with your Discovery Plus now.
And with that in mind, here are the…
Easy steps to power cycle your Apple TV:
- Turn OFF your Apple TV and TV.
- Unplug the power cord of the Apple TV from its power source.
- Disconnect your TV from the outlet as well.
- Wait for 1 minute.
- Plug your Apple TV and TV into their power sources again.
- Try to turn ON your devices again.
And when your TV screen loads up, try to use Discovery Plus.
Still having problems? Then…
#3: Check your Internet connection
As an online streaming platform…
Discovery Plus needs a stable and fast Internet speed to work properly.
And if you’re wondering just how fast your network needs to be, here’s the…
Minimum Internet standards of Discovery Plus
Internet speed | Function |
1.5 Mbps | Access the app |
2.5 Mbps | Watch SD quality videos |
4 Mbps | Stream shows in HD |
As you can see, if your Internet is slower than 4 Mbps, you won’t be able to stream in HD.
And if it’s lower than 1.5 Mbps, you won’t even be able to open the app.
So it’s important to ensure that your network meets these requirements.
And to do that, here’s how you can…
Measure how fast your Internet is:
- Grab a phone or a PC.
- Connect it to the Wifi network your Apple TV is using.
- Open your browser.
- Go to speedtest.net.
- Wait for the website to load.
- Once you see the GO option in the middle of the screen, tap it.
- Wait until your results show up.
Did you get a number higher than 4 Mbps?
Then you should continue to the next solution.
But if you got anything lower than that, you should follow these…
Easy tips to improve your Internet connection
- Use an ethernet cable to connect your Apple TV to the router.
- Power cycle your router (unplug for 60 seconds and plug it back).
- If you’re using Wifi, move the router within 5 M distance from your Apple TV.
After doing these, head back to the speed test website and check the number you get.
If you’re still not getting an Internet speed higher than 4 Mbps…
You should contact your Internet service provider.
You might also want to know: 5 Ways To Connect Apple TV To WiFi Without Remote
#4: Update your Apple TV

For your Apple TV to be compatible with the Discovery Plus app…
It has to be running on tvOS 13.0 or later.
So if your Apple TV isn’t up to date…
Then it might be why you can’t stream on Discovery Plus now.
“I’m using an OS higher than that. Do I still need to update my system?”
Yes, you do. And if you’re wondering why, it’s because…
Firmware updates ensure that your Apple TV is:
- Protected from most glitches and bugs.
- Capable of protecting your information and data.
- Able to keep up with the latest updates of your apps.
So really, there’s no reason to avoid updates on your device.
And with that, here are the…
Easy steps to update your Apple TV (models 4K or HD):
- Turn ON your Apple TV.
- Go to its Settings.
- From the list, select System.
- Tap Software Updates.
- Click the Update Software at the top of the list.
- Tap Download and Install.
- Wait for the process to finish.
Do you have an older Apple TV?
Then follow the instructions below to…
Update 3rd Generation Apple TVs or older:
- Turn On your Apple TV.
- Head to Settings > General.
- From the list, select Software Updates.
- Tap Update Software.
- Select Download and install.
- Wait for the update process to be completed.
Note: If you don’t see the Download and Install option in your settings, your TV is already up to date.
Now, before you try to use the app again, check if you can…
#5: Update your Discovery Plus
Updates are just as important to apps as they are to your firmware.
So while the steps to updating your Apple TV are still fresh on your mind…
You should also update your Discovery Plus app.
See, this streaming platform gets updates from its developers at least twice a month.
And these updates allow your app to:
- Use new features.
- Remove any bugs and glitches.
- Integrate with your Apple TV system more efficiently.
On top of these…
Updates also ensure that your Discovery Plus is still compatible with your Apple TV.
So if you haven’t updated your app in ages…
It might be the reason why your Discovery Plus isn’t working.
And with that…
Here’s how you can update your Discovery Plus app on your Apple TV:
- Turn ON your Apple TV.
- Go to its App Store.
- Select the magnifying glass icon at the top of your screen.
- Search “Discovery Plus” by typing or using a voice command.
- Click the app when you see its tile.
- Tap Update.
- Wait for the process to finish.
Note: If the option to update doesn’t show up, it means your app is already up to date.
Want to update all your apps at once? If so, watch this video:
Editor’s pick: Can You Use Apple TV On Older TV?
#6: Reinstall the app
Are you familiar with what caches are?
If not…
Simply speaking, they’re storage areas that websites and apps use to serve you better.
And naturally, your Discovery Plus has some caches too.
Now, although they’re meant to help you use your app more efficiently…
Like all types of storage, they also have their limits.
So from time to time, you have to clear them out.
Now, there are different ways to clear the caches of your Apple TV apps.
But the most thorough method I know of is reinstalling the app itself.
So that’s what I’m going to focus on.
And with that, the 1st thing you need to do is…
Delete your Discovery Plus app:
Step 1: Turn ON your Apple TV.
Step 2: Hover over the Discovery Plus app on your home screen.
Step 3: Make the app wiggle.
If your remote has a touchpad, just press the center of the pad until the app wiggles.
And if you have a white or aluminum Apple remote (with the circle on top)…
Press and hold the select button until the app shakes.
Step 4: Press the play/pause button on your remote.
Step 5: Tap Delete.
Step 6: Click Delete again to confirm the action.
Now, restart your Apple TV, and then…
Reinstall the Discovery Plus app:
- Go to your Apple TV’s home screen.
- Tap App Store.
- Click the Purchased section at the top.
- Find and select Discovery Plus from the list of apps.
- Tap the download cloud icon.
- Wait for it to be downloaded.
After this process, sign in to your Discovery Plus app again and check if it’s now working.
#7: Contact Discovery Plus
If the previous solutions didn’t fix your app…
You need to contact Discovery Plus themselves as there might be a problem with your account.
Now, the company doesn’t have a phone number that you can call for assistance.
But they have a designated “Contact Us” page where you can send them your concerns.
So simply head to the website and fill out their form.
And you’ll most likely get a response back within 2-4 hours.