XMLTV troubleshooting
A TV guide URL returns an HTML login or error page
An XMLTV address can return a login or error page. Confirm the actual response body before troubleshooting channel IDs or guide offsets.
A success status can carry the wrong document
A guide request might finish with status 200 and deliver an HTML sign-in page. The player needs an XMLTV document. The address can look correct, especially if it ends with .xml, but the suffix does not decide what the server sends. A redirected session or a provider message is enough to change the final response.
If you control the guide or can inspect it using the provider’s approved route, check the final status, content type and the beginning of the actual body. A readable XMLTV document has a tv root after any declaration and supported decompression. Common HTML clues are an html root, a login form or a page title with an error.
Recognize four different failures
| Response you observe | What it suggests | Useful action |
|---|---|---|
| 200 and an HTML login page | The request reached a page that expects a session. | Confirm the player’s supported authorized guide link with the provider. |
| 401 or 403 from the guide request | Missing valid authentication or the server refused the request. | Renew access using the approved service process. |
| Readable XML with a tv root and no current rows | The guide downloaded, but schedule coverage may be empty. | Check date range, channel definitions and programme entries. |
| Compressed bytes with no readable XML yet | The export may need supported decompression. | Check the documented format and app support before treating it as a corrupt file. |
Send the minimum useful evidence
For support, record the retrieval time, status and whether the response appeared to be an HTML page or a guide. Do not paste the private address or entire response into a public thread. A sign-in page can include account data or form tokens. A title such as Account sign-in, a status code and a redacted snippet are usually enough to show the problem.
Once the same authorized request returns a valid XMLTV document, proceed with station matching and timing. A playlist refresh, TV restart or offset change cannot turn a server login page into a schedule.
Sources and further reading
- XMLTV format reference
- IETF HTTP Semantics · HTTP status, representation and authentication semantics
- Kodi IPTV Simple Client implementation guide · Playlist attributes, channel matching and guide settings