Apple TV driver sendkey commands not working

My main HT Apple TV 4k originally worked with the driver, then stopped. The ATV is one of the versions that comes up with the device address as blank and the mac in the serial number.  Last time I got it working again by deleting the driver, then rescanning and adding it back as a new device number and then copying the device address from the serial number and pasting it into the device address column.  I then re-ran the pair airplay and pair companion steps and it worked again.
It stopped again recently.  However I noticed that it was partially working this time.  All sendkey commands did nothing, however the launching of an app works.
From the system events
AV|12~Launch~com.hulu.plus
Cmd=[12~Launch~hulu.plus] Client=[dashboard-fx-b14o]- works,  It launches the app

If I try to send a key down or left or right or whatever button commands.  Nothing
From the system Events
AV|12~SendKey~Down
Cmd=[12~SendKey~Down] Client=[dashboard-fx-b14o]  None of these sendkey commands do anything.

I then decided to see if the issue may have been on the pyatv/atvremote side.  I checked and I was running 14.x and there has been some updates made and the current version is 17.  I upgraded pyatv to 17 then tried again.  sendkey commands not working, will launch an app.
I deleted the remote devices in my appletv, and re-ran the pairing steps.  Same.
I then tried to run commands from the command line of my Raspberry PI to test out the atvremote app:
atvremote --id 42:D4:04:CD:B5:DC select delay=1000 left
allonis@AllonisPi5:~ $ atvremote --id 42:D4:04:CD:B5:DC select delay=1000 left
allonis@AllonisPi5:~ $ atvremote --id 42:D4:04:CD:B5:DC select delay=1000 left
allonis@AllonisPi5:~ $ atvremote --id 42:D4:04:CD:B5:DC right
allonis@AllonisPi5:~ $ atvremote --id 42:D4:04:CD:B5:DC right
allonis@AllonisPi5:~ $ 

All of these commands worked

I then deleted and reinstalled the driver.  Configured it with the correct device id, reused the same Tokens as those are working with the command line.  Still the sendkey commands from the driver do nothing.  Apps launch.
I'm not sure if I can find any logs with what the allonis server is sending , but those sendkey commands are not working, and it appears to be on the driver side, not the ATVRemote side.
I hope this helps in possibly debugging.
Thanks!


 

From the system Events
AV12|~SendKey~Down

Did you type this into the message manually or was it a direct copy and paste from the event log?

The reason I ask is that the 12 is on the wrong side of the pipe. AV|12~ is correct AV12|~ is not.

The driver continues to work here so if the above was just a typo email me your teamviewer or rust id and I'll remote in and have a look.

Thanks Dave.  Typo in my message, damn fingers.  I transposed it.  I have not figured a way to copy paste from the dashboard. The command being generated by the driver check is correct.
AV|12~SendKey~Down
Here is the actual screenshot.
I'll email you the teamviewer ID.  Thanks!
 

I am having a similar problem with my Shield TV.  The Send Keys function is also not working. It happened right after updating the Allonis software (I have been remiss in not updating, so it was a from a somewhat older version).

I notice that my Android TV driver has disappeared apparently. I am going to investigate further.

You probably updated the server without updating the driver. when you look for updates make sure you install everything that appears new as the server and drivers have dependencies that must be matched. I'm sure this is why your AndroidTV driver did not load.

For everyone following along this thread.  DaveP identified a command that was causing the AppleTV to disconnect.  He stopped that from happening and the new Driver, version 6.9.35.36237 build date 02-13-2026 contains that change.  I've done some limited testing and so far it has been working for me.