In this article, we will discuss the various Kodi problems and their possible solutions. If your Kodi is not working, it could be due to many reasons. In my several years of experience with Kodi, I have run into several issues and have often wondered – rather frustratingly – why is Kodi not working? But, I have also realized that most of the Kodi issues can be taken care of with some rather simple fixes.
Kodi Not Working – Common Fixes
I will put the Kodi issues into two broad categories – local and server-related. The local problems are something that we can usually find a solution to. However, if there is a server issue, there isn’t a great deal we can do about it. It is up to the developers to take care of such problems and all we can do is wait out.
Following are the common problems and fixes for Kodi media player.
Attention, Kodi Users!
Kodi Addons and builds offer unlimited streaming content, but could also get you into legal trouble if caught streaming free movies, TV shows, or sports. Currently, your IP is visible to everyone. Kodi users are strongly advised to always connect to a VPN while streaming online. A good Kodi VPN hides your identity, bypasses government surveillance, geo-blocked content, and ISP throttling (which also helps in buffer-free streaming).
I personally use ExpressVPN, which is the fastest and most secure VPN. It is very easy to install on any device including Amazon FireStick. You get 3 months free and save 49% on its annual plans. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied, you can always ask for a refund.
Read: How to Install and Use the Best Kodi VPN
1. Always Use a VPN with Kodi
Kodi not working? Well, there is a chance your ISP is blocking the streaming requests originating from Kodi. Yes, ISPs are known for such practices. But, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. You can avoid it by using a VPN for Kodi.
A VPN will simply mask all the streaming requests from your device and your ISP would not even get a whiff of it. Since your ISP can no longer tell whether a data transaction belongs to Kodi, they will not be able to block it.
ExpressVPN has been my personal best for a long time now. It is the fastest and most reliable VPN service I have ever used. ExpressVPN safeguards your internet connection against those who are prying on your online activities including your ISP. Express VPN also prevents me from internet throttling, which often tends to slow down my Kodi experience.
2. Kodi Crashes Frequently – Get the Latest Update
If Kodi is crashing too regularly, the first thing you want to ascertain is that you have the latest version. At the time of writing this article, Kodi 21.0 Omega is the latest stable and officially released version.
To check the Kodi version on your device, follow the steps below.
1. Go to the Kodi home screen and click the Settings icon on the upper left. Settings is the cog icon that is placed under the Kodi logo.
2. Now, click System Information on the next window
3. On the bottom-right of the next window, you will see the Kodi version. As you can see in the image below shows the older version. If you don’t have the latest version, you will want to update Kodi.
For some reason, Kodi doesn’t let you update itself from within the application. There aren’t a lot of ways to update Kodi to the newest version. The update methods are usually unstable and unpredictable.
So, whenever there is a new version of Kodi out there, it is best to uninstall Kodi on your system and go for a fresh install.
Yes, I understand that you might have added some addons and made changes to settings. It is true that all of them will be lost when you reinstall Kodi. But, what I have noticed is that many addons don’t work with the new version anyway and the old settings aren’t often applicable. You can install Kodi on Android from Google Play Store, and on Windows from Microsoft Store.
On FireStick, you will need to side-load Kodi as it is yet not featured in the Amazon Store. FireStick users can also update to the newer version of Kodi without having to lose the data.
3. Kodi Repositories Not Working
Kodi repositories are libraries that host addons and builds. Kodi has an official repository called the Kodi Add-on Repository, which has a number of video addons, utilities, and more. However, third-party repositories like Kodi Bae and Fusion are more popular and widely used.
The third-party repositories are created by independent developers. There are dozens of repositories out there and not all of them are equally popular.
To get a Kodi repository, you add a source to Kodi and then install the repository from that source. If any of the Kodi repositories are not working, you will not be able to install the addons or builds from them.
So, how do you fix this issue? Unfortunately, for the most part, there is nothing you can do about it. Even when you install a repository locally, its content is still stored on a remote server. If you cannot install an addon or a build through Kodi, this usually means there is a problem with the server. While popular repositories are well maintained, the not-so-popular ones are not. You will need to wait for the server to be online again for the repository to work. If the repository doesn’t work for several days, there is a chance it has been discontinued.
If you think there is a local issue with the repository that has nothing to do with the server, you may try some common troubleshooting techniques.
Go ahead and reinstall the repository. Sometimes, it might fix the issue. You may also want to reboot the device and check if it makes the repository work. If nothing seems to work, uninstall Kodi and reinstall it. It might help!
But, do remember that local issues with repositories are extremely rare. In all likelihood, there is a problem with the server.
4. Kodi Stopped Working Suddenly
I haven’t faced this issue in a long time so I believe it is safe to say that the problem is rare. But, I do remember that Kodi stopped working suddenly for me when it had worked only a couple of hours ago. Every time I tried to run Kodi it would either take a long time to launch or would throw some error.
After scratching the back of my head for a while, I figured that at least one important file in the Kodi installation folder must have gone corrupt causing the app to not load properly. I reinstalled Kodi and it started working fine again.
If that’s the kind of problem you are stuck with, I reckon reinstallation is the only solution. However, know that this will cause you to lose your Kodi data and your installed add-ons will be gone. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot we can do about it.
You could also share the Kodi log file at the Kodi support forum and check if they could help you with your issue.
5. Kodi Builds OR/AND Add-ons Not Working
The first thing I would like you to determine if all the addons are not working or is it just some (or probably just one).
If the Kodi build is not loading then none of your addons will work. This looks more like the problem with the build and not the addons. It would be a good idea to look up Google (or any other search engine of your choice) and find out if there is a known issue with that particular build.
Usually, the interface of the build loads up as it is saved locally on your machine but the build is not able to fetch the data from the server.
If it is the problem with the Kodi build, again the only solution is to uninstall Kodi and reinstall it. Uninstalling the build from Kodi doesn’t seem quite easy as it involves such a complicated process. This is why I always go with a fresh installation of the app.
In case you are not using any build but it is the Kodi addons not working, the first thing you would want to do is check the internet connection. Make sure your device is connected to the internet.
If the internet is working alright, go ahead and reboot the device. This will refresh the OS as well as the app and may fix the issue.
In case you are experiencing issues with only some addons then this could be a server issue. Kodi addons not working usually means they are not fetching any streaming links or the links they are scraping are not streaming any content. This problem is more common than you would like and often affects the lesser-known addons. My advice is to go for one of the more popular Kodi addons.
6. Kodi Buffering Issues
When my Kodi is not working, I usually uninstall the app and reinstall it. It fixes a lot of problems. But, when I run into Kodi buffering issues, I need to do more than that.
There are a few ways to take care of the buffering issues including:
- Clearing the Cache
- Increasing the Video cache size in Kodi
- Using a VPN
- Using a Code
You can read more about it in detail in our special Kodi buffering guide.
7. Reset Kodi to Default
In this guide, I have repeatedly discussed uninstalling and reinstalling Kodi. That’s a good idea, as it ensures that any missing installation files are redeployed on your system. But I would admit that not all Kodi problems require reinstalling. You may even clear Kodi data and reset it to default, which can spare you some extra effort.
You can reset Kodi to system default using the Ares Wizard. Here is how you can do it:
1. Install Ares Wizard on Kodi
2. From the Kodi home screen, go to Add-ons > Program add-ons and run Ares Wizard
3. Click the ‘More’ tab on the top right on the Ares Wizard interface
4. Click ‘Erase all data/Fresh Start’ button
5. Click ‘Yes’ when the following prompt appears
6. Now you will see the following window. If you would like to retain your favorites, sources, and addon settings, choose accordingly. The little grey dot next will turn green upon selecting the item (see the image below). Click the ‘Proceed’ button at the bottom of this window to continue
You can also reset Kodi data on FireStick and learn to back up your Kodi data before resetting it.
Conclusion
That’s pretty much what you can do when Kodi is not working at all or the way it is supposed to. As is abundantly clear in this guide, the majority of your Kodi issues can be resolved by either removing the app and reinstalling it or by clearing the Kodi data. Sometimes, something as simple as the device reboot takes care of the problem. You can fix most of the local Kodi issues. However, server problems are beyond the domain of our control. I hope this guide helped you with your Kodi issues. Please feel free to fill us in if you have any suggestions or questions in the comments section below.
Related:
- How to Fix Home is Currently Unavailable on FireStick
- How to Fix If FireStick Remote is Not Working
- How to Fix Buffering on FireStick
Suberboost Your FireStick with My Free Guide
Stay Ahead: Weekly Insights on the Latest in Free Streaming!
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
Disclosure - FireStickTricks.com is reader-supported blog. When you buy a product through links on our site, we may earn commission. Learn More
Fiona says
I installed the newest version of Kodi last night and installed Exodus and Edoxus Redux, but get no streams on any of them; I select a TV show, the wheel spins, and nothing appears; I’ve restarted the fire stick a couple of times. all other apps on the stick work fine. Help please!!
Max says
Hi Fiona, here is the guide that might help: https://www.firesticktricks.com/kodi-tv-shows-cdata-error.html
Carole says
Same issue here but mine say can not connect to network but all other apps work just not kodi help my br is ready to throw it out.
Max says
Hi Carole, at what point do you get the error message that says “cannot connect to the network”?
Kendall says
I’m getting that CDATA error on just the tv show page, movies work fine. I cleared cache in hopes of fixing it and stumbled upon your reply. Do I just wait it out then? I noticed it last night and it was working fine that morning and it’s still down today.
Patrick says
Hi Kendall, you don’t have to anything for now. TVDB is already working on the fix.
Patrick says
Hi, there is a workaround of this issue which you can use until TVDB fixes the root problem. Please check this – https://www.firesticktricks.com/exodus-redux.html#comment-7543
ANNA-MARIA says
I have 4 add-ons and can no longer get streams on any of them; Exodus, Exodus Redux, GAIA & Scrubs. I select a TV show, the wheel spins, and nothing appears; GAIA gives me the message “nothing was found”. I have Kodi 18.4 installed, I’ve uninstalled/reinstalled Exodus and Exodus Redux, cleared the cache for the add-ons and Kodi and restarted the fire stick a couple of times. Yesterday afternoon everything worked fine, I was able to watch TV shows and then last night this problem started. The weird thing that appears on Exodus & Exodus Redux when TV shows are listed is for example GAIA doesn’t do this. The only thing I haven’t done yet is reboot my router mainly because everything else in my home is working. I can select an app directly from the ire stick, for example QVC, and it works fine. Any help/suggestions/ideas would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Patrick says
Hi Anna, are you getting CDATA error in the titles? It is happening because TVDB is undergoing maintenance and most of the addons are affected. Hopefully, it will be back up soon.
ANNA-MARIA RUCCI says
Yes I am seeing CDATA. It didn’t show up in my original comment.
Patrick says
The issue is not fixed yet. But you can start watching TV Shows by going to TV Calendar. I suppose you have Exodus Redux addon. Go to TV Shows > TV Calendar. There you can access TV shows. That’s the best I could find during this error. I hope it helps.
Heather says
So today was the first time i noticed kodi was not working. Specifically i was originally under exodus redux and saw anything i searched came up with i have never seen that come up. So i noticed kodi was outdated so i uninstalled and reinstalled new one and then did a build this time no limits and again same thing came up and nothing will load play etc. I just started using vpn and yes it is running now. Im not sure what to do to make this work
Melissa Soto says
I was literally just watching a show on The Crew and then went to watch another show all of those listed have and when I click on it, nothing happens. They didn’t look like this just moments ago. The same is true for shows listed on Exodus Redux. I have reset the add-one and Kodi completely and they are still the same. What happened and how can I fix it?
Patrick says
Hi Melissa, please check this comment https://www.firesticktricks.com/exodus-redux.html#comment-7543
Denise says
Anyone else having issues with their kodi not working? I uninstalled it and reinstalled added the exodus redux. It will bring up my show and as I soon as I click an option to stream it from its loads for a second and then then nothing happens.
Max says
Hi Denise, you may want to use Kodi with a VPN. You will get better results. Also, you may want to try one of the other addons if Exodus Redux isn’t working for you. Here is our list: https://www.firesticktricks.com/best-kodi-addons.html
adam j says
o did the kodi 18.4 update and now nothing works. worked fine lastnight but now nothing
Max says
Hi Adam, that’s not the problem with 18.4. A lot of addons are not working these days. It is a temporary issue though. It should be resolved soon. In the meantime, you may try more addons from our list: https://www.firesticktricks.com/best-kodi-addons.html
Julian Rozario says
Hello there, I have kodi 18.4 lea and so far until last month it worked flawless, but after I tried some new addon I forgot which is that the kodi opens, goest to the addon and when I click to play it tries playing and nothing happens. basically the addons and everything seems ok but for some reason its not playing anything either TV shows or Movies. I have uninstalled and installed lots of time and still cant be able to play anything in my MXQ pro box. is there anyway you can help me to resolve this issue. I usually use yoda, venom, crew, loki addons for watching TV shows and movies.
Max says
Hi Julian, it is possible that your ISP is blocking the streams. Have you tried using Kodi with a VPN?
Hannah says
Hello I’m new to Kodi but every time I try to play a show it says to go to a link and click pair but other shows work fine. It’s really frustrating I tried going to the link but it’s super sketchy how can I just watch the show ? Please help I’m thinking of getting rid of it because it just seems to suck.
Max says
Hi Hannah, you can disable the option ‘Hosters with Captchas’ within the addon settings to avoid the streams that require pairing. The steps to do that vary across addons. Which one are you using?
Taj M Allen says
I uave experienced the same thing. Have you found a solution?
Max says
Hi, what exactly is the problem you are experiencing?