Kodi IPTV setup: PVR IPTV Simple Client step by step
How to watch IPTV in Kodi: install the PVR IPTV Simple Client, add your M3U playlist and EPG link, fix empty guides and use Kodi on Fire TV, PC and Android.
Quick answer
To watch IPTV in Kodi, open Settings, Add-ons, Install from repository, PVR clients, and install PVR IPTV Simple Client. In its settings, set the location to Remote path and paste your M3U playlist link, add the EPG (XMLTV) link under the guide settings, then restart Kodi. Your channels appear under TV on the home screen.
On this page
- How Kodi plays IPTV
- 1. Install Kodi
- 2. Install PVR IPTV Simple Client
- 3. Add your M3U playlist
- 4. Add the TV guide (EPG)
- 5. Restart Kodi
- Common Kodi IPTV problems
- Tips for a better Kodi setup
- Kodi or a dedicated IPTV player?
- Kodi with IPTV Trends
- Sources and official links
- Kodi IPTV setup: questions and answers
How Kodi plays IPTV
Kodi is a free, open-source media centre for Fire TV, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux. It does not include any channels. To watch live TV it uses a "PVR client" add-on, and the standard one for IPTV is PVR IPTV Simple Client, maintained by the Kodi team and available from the official Kodi repository.
1. Install Kodi
- Windows, macOS, Android: download Kodi from the official kodi.tv website or Google Play.
- Fire TV: install the Downloader app, then download the Android (ARMv7) version from kodi.tv.
Only install Kodi and add-ons from official sources. Third-party add-on packs are a common source of malware and broken streams.
2. Install PVR IPTV Simple Client
- Open Kodi and select the gear icon (Settings).
- Choose Add-ons, then Install from repository.
- Open PVR clients and select PVR IPTV Simple Client.
- Choose Install and wait for the confirmation.
3. Add your M3U playlist
- Go to Settings, Add-ons, My add-ons, PVR clients, PVR IPTV Simple Client, then Configure.
- Under General, set Location to Remote path (Internet address).
- Select M3U playlist URL and paste the full link from your provider.
- Press OK.
4. Add the TV guide (EPG)
In the same Configure screen, open the EPG settings, set Location to Remote path and paste the XMLTV link. If you only have an Xtream Codes login, ask your provider for the matching M3U and EPG links; see M3U vs Xtream Codes.
5. Restart Kodi
Close Kodi completely and open it again. A new TV entry appears on the home screen with your channel groups and, once the guide has downloaded, the programme grid.
Common Kodi IPTV problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| No TV entry on the home screen | Check the add-on is enabled, then restart Kodi. |
| "No PVR add-on enabled" | Enable PVR IPTV Simple Client under My add-ons, PVR clients. |
| Channels load but the guide is empty | Add the XMLTV link, then Settings, PVR and Live TV, Guide, Clear data, and restart. |
| Guide times are off | Adjust the EPG time shift in the add-on settings. |
| Stuttering | Use Ethernet and see IPTV buffering fixes. |
Tips for a better Kodi setup
- Under Settings, PVR and Live TV, set Kodi to start on the TV channels screen if live TV is all you watch.
- Use channel groups to hide countries you never watch.
- On Fire TV, Kodi is heavier than TiviMate or IPTV Smarters; if it feels slow, see the best IPTV player for Firestick.
- Keep Kodi updated from its official source; old versions break add-ons.
Kodi or a dedicated IPTV player?
Kodi is powerful if you already use it for your own media library. For live TV only, a dedicated player is usually simpler: TiviMate on Android TV and Fire TV, IPTV Smarters on phones. See TiviMate setup guide and IPTV Smarters Pro setup guide.
Kodi with IPTV Trends
An IPTV Trends playlist link and guide link work in PVR IPTV Simple Client. Ask @host4k on Telegram for both links if you received an Xtream login, and see the IPTV Trends login guide for where your details come from.
Sources and official links
Kodi IPTV setup: questions and answers
No. Kodi is a player; you add channels with a playlist link from an IPTV subscription.
PVR IPTV Simple Client, from the official Kodi repository.
In PVR IPTV Simple Client settings, add the XMLTV link under the EPG settings and restart Kodi.
PVR IPTV Simple Client uses an M3U link. Ask your provider for the M3U and EPG links that match your login.
