Kodi Not Working? 7 Proven Fixes for Firestick & App Issues

Kodi not working can be frustrating, especially when you’re ready to relax and face a blank screen instead. Whether Kodi is not working on your PC or TV, it can quickly ruin your streaming plans. This guide will help you fix the issue and get Kodi running smoothly again.

Why Is Kodi Not Working on Your Device?

Before fixing the issue, we must identify the cause. Why is Kodi not working? Generally, there are three main reasons:

1. Device Issues: Your Firestick or phone is out of memory.
2. Network errors: Your internet is slow, or your ISP is blocking the connection.
3. Software Issues: Kodi is not working due to a full cache or an old version.

Keep reading, we will walk through all these one by one.

Also read: Firestick Not Working? 6 Easy Fixes to Try Now

Fix 1: Resolve Kodi Not Working on Firestick

The Amazon Fire TV Stick is the most popular device for Kodi users. However, it has limited processing power. Reports of Kodi not functioning on Firestick are frequently the result of this.

Numerous background apps are running on the device. These eat up the RAM (memory). When RAM is full, Kodi crashes.

Follow these steps to refresh your Firestick:

1. Restart the Device: This is the fastest fix. Hold the “Select” and “Play/Pause” buttons on your remote. Hold for five seconds. The Firestick will restart.
2. Force Stop Kodi:
3. Go to “Settings” on the Firestick home screen.
4. Select “Applications.”
5. Click “Manage Installed Applications.”
6. Find Kodi in the list.
7. Select “Force Stop.”
8. Launch the app again.

If this does not help, check your power supply. Plug the Firestick into the wall outlet, not the TV USB port.

Fix 2: Repair Kodi Addons Not Working

Sometimes the app opens smoothly, but the movies fail to play. This is a typical case of Kodi addons not working. You may have clicked the link, but nothing happens.

The Kodi add-ons are often built by independent developers. If they stop updating the code, the addon may be broken and not work.

How to fix broken addons:

1. Update the Addon:
2. Go to the “Add-ons” menu.
3. Long-press the specific addon icon.
4. Select “Information.”
5. Click “Update” to get the latest version.
6. Check Dependencies:
7. Addons rely on small scripts called “dependencies.”
8. Go to “Settings” > “System” > “Event Log.”
9. Check if a dependency failed to install.
10. Install a New Repo: If the repository URL is dead, you must find the new working URL online and reinstall it.

Fix 3: Use a VPN to Fix Network Blocks

You might have a fast internet connection, but the streaming process still buffers. Or, you see “No Stream Available” on Kodi. This often means the issue is actually caused by the internet provider.

ISPs use “Throttling” to slow down streaming traffic. Also, many streams are geo-blocked in your country. You need to hide your activity to solve this. We recommend using LightningX VPN.

LightningX VPN is the best tool to fix these network problems. Here is why it works:

• Stops Throttling: It encrypts your traffic. Your ISP cannot slow down what it cannot see.
• Unblocks Content: With its 2000+ servers, LightningX VPN allows you to change your IP location. You can access global content easily.
• Fast Speeds: As one of the best VPNs for Kodi, it is optimized for streaming video without lag.

If you want to eliminate buffering and restrictions, turn on LightningX VPN before you open Kodi.

Fix 4: Clear Cache When Kodi is Not Working

Every time you watch a movie, Kodi saves data. This “cache” builds up over time. If the cache gets too full, it might cause the Kodi not working error.

How to clear the cache:

Note: Kodi does not have a native “Clear Cache” button.

1. Install a Maintenance Tool: Use an add-on like “OpenWizard.”
2. Open the Tool: Go to your Add-ons section.
3. Select Maintenance: Look for “Cleaning Tools.”
4. Click Clear Cache: Confirm the action.
5. Restart Kodi: This is crucial.

This simple step often solves the Kodi not working issue caused by full storage.

Fix 5: Update the App to Fix Kodi Not Working

Are you using an old version like Kodi 18? The current versions are much more advanced. Old software is a major reason. New addons are not compatible with old Kodi versions. You must update.

How to update on Firestick/Android:

1. Check Version: Go to Settings -> System Information.
2. Get the Downloader App: Open it on your device.
3. Visit the Official Site: Type in the URL (https://kodi.tv/download/) for the Kodi website.
4. Download the Android Version: Select the “ARMV7A” (32-bit) file.
5. Install: This will update your app without deleting your data.

Fix 6: Disable Hardware Acceleration

This is a technical setting. Hardware acceleration helps video quality, but it crashes some Android devices. If you get a black screen with audio, this is the problem.

Steps to disable it:

1. Open Kodi Settings (Gear Icon).
2. Select “Player.”
3. Change the setting level (bottom left) to “Expert.”
4. Go to the “Videos” tab.
5. Scroll to “Processing.”
6. Turn OFF “Allow hardware acceleration – MediaCodec.”

Restart the video. This often fixes the not-working glitch instantly.

Fix 7: Reset Kodi to Factory Settings

If all else fails, and the Kodi app not working issue persists, you must reset. This deletes everything. It returns the app to its original state.

How to reset:

1. Go to your device settings (not Kodi settings).
2. Select “Apps” or “Applications.”
3. Find Kodi.
4. Select “Clear Data.”
5. Confirm.

You will need to reinstall your addons. However, this is the ultimate fix for deeper system errors.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting streaming issues is easier than it looks. We have covered the main reasons for Kodi not working. Start with a simple restart. Check your addons for updates.

Most importantly, ensure your network is secure and fast. Follow the steps mentioned above, and you will enjoy smooth entertainment again.