Channels play fine, but the guide says “No information”, shows yesterday’s schedule or lists every program an hour off. When your IPTV EPG is not showing properly, the problem is almost always one of a handful of causes. This guide walks through them in order, from the quickest fix to the more technical ones.
Quick answer: Refresh the EPG in the app, set the device date, time and time zone to automatic, then adjust the EPG time offset if programs are shifted by whole hours. Check the EPG URL for M3U logins and clear the app cache if old data is stuck.
A 30-second refresher
The electronic program guide (EPG) is a separate data feed — usually in XMLTV format — that your player downloads and matches to your channel list using channel IDs. If the download fails, the clock is wrong or the IDs do not match, the guide breaks even though the video works. More background in what is an electronic program guide?
Step 1: Give it time and refresh
The first guide download can take a while, especially on streaming sticks with thousands of channels.
- Leave the app open on the guide screen for a couple of minutes.
- Find Refresh EPG, Update EPG or Reload in the app’s settings and run it.
- If the app has an option to update EPG on startup, enable it.
Step 2: Check date, time and time zone
A wrong clock is the most common reason the guide looks wrong:
- On Fire TV: Settings → Preferences → Time Zone, or Settings → Device & Software → Date & Time on newer software (then check the time on the home screen).
- On Android TV / Google TV: Settings → System → Date & time.
- On Smart TVs and Apple TV: look under System or General settings.
Use automatic date and time, and choose the correct time zone. Then refresh the guide.
Step 3: Fix programs that are hours off
If every program is shifted by exactly one or more hours, and the device time is correct:
- Open the player’s EPG settings.
- Find Time offset, EPG time shift or similar.
- Adjust by the number of hours the guide is out (for example, −1 or +1).
- Refresh and check against a program you know.
A one-hour error that appears twice a year usually relates to daylight saving time — re-check the device’s time zone and the offset after each change of clocks.
Step 4: Check the EPG source
- Xtream Codes logins usually load the guide automatically. If it is missing, log out and back in, or re-add the account.
- M3U playlists may include the guide address in the header, or you may need to enter an EPG URL in the settings. Make sure it is the address your provider gave you, copied exactly.
If your app supports several EPG sources, remove old or duplicate ones that might conflict.
Step 5: Clear the cache
An old or corrupt copy of the guide can get stuck. Clear the app’s cache (on Fire TV and Android: Settings → Applications → your player → Clear cache), reopen the app and let it download the guide again. Some players have their own “clear EPG data” option.
Step 6: Some channels have no guide
If the guide works for most channels but not a few, the likely causes are:
- No listings exist for that channel.
- ID mismatch — the channel’s guide ID does not match the guide data, often after a channel is renamed or added.
Some players let you manually assign a guide entry to a channel. Otherwise, report the channel to your provider so they can correct the mapping.
Step 7: Reduce the load on slow devices
Huge guide files can overwhelm low-memory devices:
- Hide categories you never watch.
- Reduce the number of days of guide data stored.
- Use favorites so the grid only shows your channels.
If the device is generally sluggish, see our tips for a faster Fire TV.
Common EPG problems at a glance
| Problem | Most likely fix |
|---|---|
| “No information” on all channels | Refresh EPG; re-add the login; check EPG URL |
| Guide is hours off | Device time zone, then EPG time offset |
| Guide is a day old | Refresh; enable update on startup |
| A few channels have no guide | ID mismatch or no listings — report them |
| Guide very slow to scroll | Hide categories; reduce days stored |
| Catch-up starts at the wrong point | Fix the guide time first — see catch-up TV |
Still not working?
Try the same login in another app or device. If the guide works there, the problem lies with the original app’s settings — our IPTV player settings guide shows where to look. If channels themselves fail too, see IPTV channels not loading.
StreamIPTV includes a program guide for live channels on every plan. If yours is not showing correctly, message us with your device and app, and we will help you set it up. You can also check the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the EPG take to load?
On a fast device, a minute or less. On older streaming sticks with large channel lists, the first download can take several minutes. Later updates are usually quicker.
Will clearing the cache delete my login?
No. Clearing the cache removes temporary files such as downloaded guide data and artwork. Clearing data is different — it resets the app and removes your login and favorites.
