Quick Answer: If your TiviMate playlist will not refresh, the cause is usually the playlist source, a stale cached copy, or a provider that has changed your access. Try refreshing the playlist manually, checking that the playlist URL or login is still valid, and confirming the provider has not changed the lineup. TiviMate can only update from a source that responds.
What "Not Updating" Actually Means#
Playlist updating covers two things: fetching the channel list and fetching guide data. A playlist can update its channels but not its EPG, or vice versa. Pin down which one is stale before troubleshooting.
- Channels stale: added or removed channels do not appear.
- EPG stale: the guide shows old or missing programme information.
- Both stale: the playlist as a whole is not refreshing.
Nine Things to Check#
- Trigger a manual refresh. Open the playlist and use its update or refresh action rather than waiting for a scheduled one.
- Confirm the source is reachable. If the provider's server is down, the update cannot complete.
- Re-check the playlist URL or credentials. A changed password or revoked access blocks updates. See adding an M3U playlist.
- Verify your subscription is active. An expired account often stops updating rather than failing outright.
- Check device connectivity. A device that dropped off Wi-Fi will not update.
- Clear the cache. Stale cached data can mask a successful update. See clearing cache.
- Restart the app and device. A hung background refresh often resumes after a restart.
- Compare with another player. If the same playlist also fails elsewhere, it is the provider or credentials.
- Ask the provider. They may have changed the lineup, the update interval, or your access.
Playlist Update vs EPG Update#
Channels and guide data can update on different schedules. A playlist may refresh its channels while its EPG source updates separately. If only the guide is stale, the issue is the EPG source rather than the playlist. See EPG not working and EPG setup.
Preventing Repeated Problems#
- Keep your playlist details accurate and stored safely.
- Avoid editing a playlist while it is mid-update.
- If your provider changes URLs periodically, note the current one.
- For large lineups, use groups so a partial update is easier to spot. See channel groups.
When the Provider Changes the URL or Credentials#
If a playlist refreshed reliably for weeks and then suddenly fails, ask whether the provider changed the playlist URL, the login details, or its access rules. A saved address that is no longer valid will keep failing however often you refresh it. Get the current details from the provider, then update or re-add the playlist instead of retrying the old one. Keep a note of the working URL and the date it last worked, so you can distinguish a provider-side change from a local typo or a network problem.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Why do new channels not appear after an update?#
The provider may not have added them to your profile, or the update did not complete. Refresh manually and confirm with the provider.
Does updating a playlist delete Favorites?#
Refresh normally keeps your Favorites and settings; it re-reads the channel list. A full re-add can reset them, so keep a backup.
How often should a playlist update?#
Providers set their own intervals. Daily updates are common; if yours never changes, the source or your access may be the issue.
How Playlist Refresh Works#
A playlist refresh re-fetches the channel list from your provider's server. That request can fail for reasons outside TiviMate: the server is busy, your access lapsed, or your connection dropped. Separating "the app did not update" from "the source did not respond" is the key troubleshooting step, and testing the same playlist elsewhere does it quickly.
Schedule and Interval#
Providers can refresh at different rates, and some servers limit how often a playlist may be fetched. If you refresh very frequently, a provider may temporarily refuse requests, which looks like a stalled update. Waiting and retrying, rather than hammering refresh, often settles it. Where TiviMate offers an update interval, a sensible setting avoids unnecessary requests.
Signs the Problem Is the Provider#
- The same playlist also fails in another player.
- Channels load but the lineup never changes.
- Your subscription recently expired or changed.
- The provider changed the playlist URL.
In all of these, the fix sits with the provider or your credentials, not with the app. Confirm the current details and re-add the playlist cleanly. See add M3U playlist.
Keeping a Stable Setup#
- Store your playlist details accurately.
- Keep a recent backup.
- Update the EPG source separately when only the guide is stale.
- Refresh during quiet periods rather than repeatedly.
Refreshing the Right Thing#
Channels and guide data are separate. If added channels do not appear, you are dealing with the playlist. If the guide is out of date but channels are current, you are dealing with the EPG source. Refreshing the wrong one wastes time, so identify which is stale first. Our EPG not working guide handles the guide side.
Rate Limits and Server Load#
- Providers often cap how frequently a playlist may be fetched.
- Refreshing repeatedly can trigger a temporary block.
- Peak hours may slow a provider's response, making an update appear stuck.
When an update stalls right after several rapid refreshes, waiting and trying once more is often all that is needed.
Stable Habits#
- Keep your playlist details accurate.
- Refresh manually only when needed.
- Update the EPG separately when the guide is the stale part.
- Keep a backup so a re-add is quick.
Sources#
See the TiviMate listing on Google Play for the app. For the playlist format itself, see M3U on Wikipedia.
Related Guides#
See channels not loading, EPG not working, and playlist backup.