---
title: "IPTV Troubleshooting: Buffering, EPG Not Working, Playlist Errors | Zapvo"
description: "Fix the most common IPTV problems: a playlist that won't load, buffering, an empty or shifted TV guide, a black screen, sound without picture and Chromecast errors."
url: https://zapvo.app/en/guides/troubleshooting
language: en
updated: 2026-10-25
---

Guides · 7 min read

# IPTV troubleshooting

Most problems come from the playlist, the connection or the guide, and most are quick to fix. Start with the one that matches what you see.

## The playlist won't load

- Check the address or the user name and password once more; one wrong letter is enough.
- Open Zapvo's source details: an expired subscription is shown there for Xtream Codes accounts.
- Some providers only accept a specific app identity. Set the user agent your provider asks for in the source settings.
- Try again later: the provider's server may be busy or down.

## Buffering or stuttering

- Measure your speed: HD needs about 5–8 Mbps, 4K about 25 Mbps.
- Use a network cable on the TV if you can, or move the router closer.
- Choose a lower quality in the player settings, if the channel offers one.
- In the player settings under Advanced, try another buffer profile or the software decoder.
- If only some channels stutter, the problem is usually at the provider.

## The guide is empty

- Ask your provider for the XMLTV (EPG) address and add it to the source settings.
- Refresh the guide in the source details.
- If only a few channels have no guide, the guide may not cover them; add a second guide address.

## Programs are an hour or more off

The guide uses a different time zone from the stream. Check your device's date, time and time zone first. If those are right, ask your provider: many offer a guide for your time zone.

## Black screen, or sound without picture

- In the player settings under Advanced, switch between the hardware and the software decoder.
- Try another quality of the channel.
- Some streams use formats an older TV box can't decode; the same channel may work on a newer device.

## Chromecast won't play a channel

Raw TS live streams and streams that need special headers can't play on a Chromecast. If Zapvo is installed on the TV, use Play on TV instead.

## Still stuck?

[Send us a message](https://zapvo.app/en/support) with your device, Zapvo version and what you see. Please never send your password or playlist link.

## Bring your playlist. Zapvo does the rest.

Install Zapvo, add your source and watch. Every feature is free for 30 days, no card needed.

---

Zapvo is a media player only. It doesn't provide or sell any channels, playlists or other content. Use it only with content you're allowed to watch.

[Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zapvo.iptv&hl=en)

[llms.txt](https://zapvo.app/en/llms.txt)