When your IPTV EPG is not working, the TV guide data has usually failed to download or match your channels, even though the streams still play. Start by forcing an EPG refresh in your app, then clear the app cache and reload the playlist. If programme times are an hour off, fix the device time zone or the app's time shift setting. If the guide is still empty, confirm the EPG URL with support over WhatsApp, because M3U playlists often need it entered separately.
How the IPTV TV Guide Works
The programme guide is not part of the video stream. Your app downloads a separate guide file, usually in the XMLTV format, and then links each channel in your playlist to its listings using a channel ID. That design explains most EPG faults: the file can fail to download, it can go stale if the app never refreshes it, or a channel ID can stop matching after the provider renames or moves a channel.
How you log in matters too. An Xtream Codes login (server, username and password) normally delivers the guide automatically along with the channel list. An M3U link carries only the channels, so many apps need the guide address entered in a separate EPG field. If you are unsure which you are using, check the playlist settings in your app.
Common EPG Problems
- ▸EPG shows 'No information' on all channels
- ▸EPG loads partially then stops
- ▸Wrong times — programme guide 1 hour off
- ▸EPG worked before but stopped after an update
- ▸Specific channels missing from the EPG
Fix 1: Force Refresh the EPG in TiviMate
- 1Open TiviMate and go to Settings (gear icon).
- 2Open the EPG section.
- 3Choose the option to update the EPG now.
- 4Wait 3–5 minutes for the full EPG to reload.
- 5Navigate back to the TV Guide to check if it has populated.
💡 Set the EPG update interval in the same menu so the guide refreshes on its own at least once a day.
Fix 2: Force Refresh EPG in IPTV Smarters Pro
- 1Open IPTV Smarters Pro and go to your playlist settings.
- 2Tap Update Playlist / Refresh.
- 3Allow 2–3 minutes for the EPG data to download.
- 4Navigate to the Live TV section and check the EPG column.
Fix 3: Fix EPG Times Showing 1 Hour Wrong
- 1This is a time zone issue: the app or device is applying the wrong offset to the guide times.
- 2First check the device clock: set date, time and time zone to automatic in the device settings.
- 3In TiviMate: Settings → EPG → EPG time shift → adjust by one hour in the direction needed.
- 4In IPTV Smarters: Settings → Time Offset → adjust to match your local time.
- 5The EPG times should now match broadcast schedules.
💡 US clocks change in March and November, and UK and EU clocks in late March and late October. If you set a manual time shift, recheck it after each change.
Fix 4: Clear EPG Cache
- 1On Firestick or Android TV: Settings → Apps → your IPTV app → Clear Cache.
- 2Close and reopen the app, then refresh the EPG.
- 3This forces the app to download fresh EPG data from the server.
Fix 5: Check Your IPTV Free Trial EPG URL
- 1Some IPTV apps require the EPG URL to be entered separately.
- 2Contact our IPTV subscription support on WhatsApp to confirm your EPG URL.
- 3In your IPTV app settings, find the EPG URL field and enter the URL provided.
- 4Save and refresh the EPG.
Fix 6: Reinstall the IPTV App
- 1Uninstall your IPTV app completely.
- 2Reinstall it fresh from the app store.
- 3Re-enter your IPTV Free Trial credentials.
- 4Allow 5–10 minutes for the EPG to fully populate after first login.
When Only Some Channels Have No Guide
If most of the guide works and a handful of channels say "No information", the guide file has downloaded correctly but those channels are not matched to it. This often happens with newly added channels, regional variants and duplicate channels in different quality tiers (HD, FHD, 4K), where only one version carries the ID. Check whether another version of the same channel has listings and favourite that one instead.
Some apps let you edit a channel and link it to a different guide entry by hand. If yours does not, send support the exact channel names and they can check the mapping on their side. The full list of channel categories is a useful reference for finding the right version.
Where to Refresh the Guide in Popular Apps
| App or device | How to refresh | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| TiviMate | Settings → EPG → update | Can attach extra EPG sources to a playlist |
| IPTV Smarters Pro | Refresh the playlist or use the EPG update option | Guide data can lag a few minutes after first login |
| Kodi (PVR IPTV Simple Client) | Add-on settings → EPG → XMLTV path | Needs the guide URL entered by hand for M3U |
| MAG box | Reboot from the portal | The guide loads from the portal, not the device |
| Smart TV apps | Reload the playlist in the app | Check the TV clock first; many reset after power cuts |
If the app itself keeps crashing or will not start, that is a different problem; see what to do when TiviMate stops working. For setup screens on other apps, the IPTV Smarters Pro walkthrough and the device installation guides show where each option lives.
Check the Guide During Your Free Trial
The EPG is easy to overlook when you are testing IPTV with a free trial, but it decides how usable the app is every day. During the free 24-hour trial, open the guide view on the device you will actually use and scroll through the channels you watch most. Check that programme times match the real schedule, that tomorrow's listings are there, and that catch-up shows line up with the guide. Our explanation of how catch-up TV works covers that link in more detail.
You can get a trial login over WhatsApp with no credit card. If something looks wrong, tell support while the trial is still running.
IPTV EPG FAQ
Why is my IPTV EPG not working?
The guide is a separate data file from the video streams, so it can fail while channels play fine. The usual causes are a guide that has not refreshed since you logged in, a missing or outdated EPG URL on an M3U playlist, an app cache holding old data, or a device clock and time zone that are wrong.
How do I fix the EPG on TiviMate?
Open Settings, then EPG, and run an update. If the guide stays empty, check that the playlist has an EPG source attached, clear TiviMate's cache from your device settings and update again. Correct the time shift in the same EPG menu if programmes are an hour off.
Why are only some channels missing guide data?
Each channel is linked to its guide listings by an ID. When a channel's ID does not match an entry in the guide file, that channel shows no information while the rest work. Support can check the mapping, and some apps let you link the channel to the right listing yourself.
Do I need a separate EPG URL?
With an Xtream Codes login the guide normally comes with the playlist automatically. With an M3U link many apps need the XMLTV guide address entered separately, so ask support for it if your app has an empty EPG field.
Does catch-up TV depend on the EPG?
Yes, in most apps. Catch-up programmes are listed through the guide, so if the EPG is missing or shifted, past shows may not appear or may start at the wrong point. Fix the guide first, then check catch-up again.
EPG Still Not Working?
Our support team can send you the correct EPG URL and walk you through setup via WhatsApp.
Part of our guide to the IPTV service and its features.
EPG fixes are covered in our Marinios IPTV problem-solving pages.