rachel_r
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- Jan 25, 2015
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The Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) is one of the most useful features of IPTV, showing you what is on now and scheduled for the next 7 days. When EPG stops working, it is frustrating but usually fixable. This guide covers all the common causes.
Your IPTV app downloads EPG data separately from the channel streams. This data (in XMLTV format) contains programme schedules, descriptions, and timing for each channel. The app matches this data to your channel list and displays it as a guide.
EPG can fail if: the EPG URL is wrong, the EPG server is unreachable, the data format is incompatible with the app, or the time zone setting is incorrect.
1. Force refresh: Settings → Playlists → your playlist → Update. Check if the EPG downloads successfully (progress bar appears).
2. Verify the EPG URL: Test the URL in a browser — if it loads data in the browser, TiviMate can reach it.
3. Check time zone: Settings → Playlists → your playlist → EPG Timeshift. If set to the wrong offset, EPG data exists but appears shifted.
4. Clear EPG cache: Settings → About → Clear Cache. Restart TiviMate and allow EPG to reload completely.
5. Re-add playlist: Delete the playlist and re-add from scratch. This guarantees a clean EPG database.
Pull down to refresh in the EPG view. If still empty: Settings → Reload Playlist. If that fails, delete and re-add the playlist with fresh credentials.
Smarters Pro EPG requires the Xtream Codes API connection type for full functionality. If you are using an M3U URL, EPG must be added as a separate XMLTV URL in the playlist settings.
EPG in Smart IPTV is linked to your M3U URL. If EPG is empty: log in to siptv.eu, verify your EPG/XMLTV URL is entered (separate from the M3U URL), and force a refresh on the TV by pressing the refresh button in the app.
If EPG shows programme titles but the timing is wrong (e.g., the 8pm news shows as "7pm"): your device or app has the wrong time zone.
On Android TV boxes: Settings → Device Preferences → Date & Time → Time Zone. Set explicitly — do not leave on Automatic as many boxes default to UTC.
On MAG devices: Settings → General → Time Zone. UK users: select Europe/London (which automatically handles BST/GMT transitions).
If you have verified all the above and EPG still does not load: the issue is likely on your provider's end. Ask them to confirm:
- The correct EPG/XMLTV URL for your account
- Whether EPG is currently active for your account type
- Whether there are any known EPG server issues
Keep a note of what you have already tried — it speeds up the support interaction significantly.
Understanding How EPG Works in IPTV Apps
Your IPTV app downloads EPG data separately from the channel streams. This data (in XMLTV format) contains programme schedules, descriptions, and timing for each channel. The app matches this data to your channel list and displays it as a guide.
EPG can fail if: the EPG URL is wrong, the EPG server is unreachable, the data format is incompatible with the app, or the time zone setting is incorrect.
TiviMate: EPG Troubleshooting
1. Force refresh: Settings → Playlists → your playlist → Update. Check if the EPG downloads successfully (progress bar appears).
2. Verify the EPG URL: Test the URL in a browser — if it loads data in the browser, TiviMate can reach it.
3. Check time zone: Settings → Playlists → your playlist → EPG Timeshift. If set to the wrong offset, EPG data exists but appears shifted.
4. Clear EPG cache: Settings → About → Clear Cache. Restart TiviMate and allow EPG to reload completely.
5. Re-add playlist: Delete the playlist and re-add from scratch. This guarantees a clean EPG database.
IPTV Smarters Pro: EPG Troubleshooting
Pull down to refresh in the EPG view. If still empty: Settings → Reload Playlist. If that fails, delete and re-add the playlist with fresh credentials.
Smarters Pro EPG requires the Xtream Codes API connection type for full functionality. If you are using an M3U URL, EPG must be added as a separate XMLTV URL in the playlist settings.
Smart IPTV on Samsung/LG: EPG Troubleshooting
EPG in Smart IPTV is linked to your M3U URL. If EPG is empty: log in to siptv.eu, verify your EPG/XMLTV URL is entered (separate from the M3U URL), and force a refresh on the TV by pressing the refresh button in the app.
EPG Time Zone Issues
If EPG shows programme titles but the timing is wrong (e.g., the 8pm news shows as "7pm"): your device or app has the wrong time zone.
On Android TV boxes: Settings → Device Preferences → Date & Time → Time Zone. Set explicitly — do not leave on Automatic as many boxes default to UTC.
On MAG devices: Settings → General → Time Zone. UK users: select Europe/London (which automatically handles BST/GMT transitions).
When to Contact Your Provider
If you have verified all the above and EPG still does not load: the issue is likely on your provider's end. Ask them to confirm:
- The correct EPG/XMLTV URL for your account
- Whether EPG is currently active for your account type
- Whether there are any known EPG server issues
Keep a note of what you have already tried — it speeds up the support interaction significantly.