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Stremio Troubleshooting Guide - Fix Common Problems (2025)

10 min readAll Levels

Start Here

Having problems with Stremio? This page will help you:

  1. Identify what kind of problem you have
  2. Find the right troubleshooting guide
  3. Fix the issue quickly
Tip

Pro tip: Use the Troubleshooting Decision Tree for a guided step-by-step flow.


Quick Problem Identifier

Click the category that best describes your issue:

🎬 Video Won't Play or Buffers

Playback issues, buffering, stuttering, or “No streams available”

Fix Playback Issues →

💬 Subtitles Not Working

Subtitles missing, out of sync, or wrong language

Fix Subtitles →

💥 App Crashes or Freezes

Stremio won’t open, crashes on startup, or freezes during use

Fix Crashes →

🔑 Can't Log In or Sync

Login failures, sync not working, or account issues

Fix Login/Sync →

🌐 Network Problems

Connection errors, “Network timeout,” or general connectivity issues

Check Network →


General Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into specific guides, try these universal fixes:

1. Restart Stremio

  • Close Stremio completely (don’t just minimize)
  • Wait 10 seconds
  • Reopen Stremio

Fixes: Many transient issues, memory leaks, temporary glitches.

2. Check Your Internet

  • Test speed: Go to fast.com or speedtest.net
  • Required: 5 Mbps for SD, 25 Mbps for HD, 50+ Mbps for 4K
  • Restart your router if speed is slow

Fixes: Buffering, “No connection” errors, slow loading.

3. Clear Cache

  • Go to SettingsAdvanced
  • Click “Clear Cache”
  • Restart Stremio

Fixes: Playback errors, corrupted data, interface glitches.

4. Update Stremio

  • Check if an update is available (Stremio notifies you)
  • Download the latest version from stremio.com
  • Install over your existing version

Fixes: Bugs fixed in newer versions, compatibility issues.

5. Check Firewall/Antivirus

  • Ensure Stremio is allowed through your firewall
  • Temporarily disable antivirus and test (if safe to do so)
  • Add Stremio to exceptions if it was being blocked

Fixes: “Connection refused,” streaming failures.


Problem Categories Explained

Playback Issues

Symptoms:

  • Video won’t start
  • “No streams available”
  • Infinite buffering
  • Stuttering or freezing during playback

Common causes:

  • Slow or unstable internet
  • Add-on issues (broken or offline)
  • Firewall blocking Stremio
  • Insufficient bandwidth

Guide: Playback & Buffering


Subtitle Issues

Symptoms:

  • Subtitles don’t appear
  • Wrong language
  • Out of sync with audio
  • Subtitle add-on not working

Common causes:

  • No subtitle add-on installed
  • Subtitles not available for that title
  • Language mismatch
  • Timing issues

Guide: Subtitles Not Working


Audio/Video Sync Issues

Symptoms:

  • Audio plays before or after video
  • Audio track missing
  • Wrong language audio

Common causes:

  • Stream quality issues
  • Device performance problems
  • Player settings

Guide: Audio/Video Sync


App Stability Issues

Symptoms:

  • Stremio won’t launch
  • Crashes on startup
  • Freezes during use
  • “Not responding” errors

Common causes:

  • Corrupted installation
  • Insufficient device resources
  • Conflicting software
  • OS compatibility issues

Guide: App Crashes & Freezes


Login/Sync Issues

Symptoms:

  • Can’t log in
  • “Invalid credentials” error
  • Library not syncing across devices
  • Account settings not saving

Common causes:

  • Wrong email/password
  • Network issues
  • Server problems (Stremio’s side)
  • Cache corruption

Guide: Login & Sync Issues


Android TV Performance

Symptoms:

  • Slow, laggy interface
  • App crashes frequently on TV
  • Remote control unresponsive
  • Video stutters on TV but works on phone

Common causes:

  • Underpowered TV device
  • Too many apps running
  • Insufficient storage
  • Outdated TV OS

Guide: Android TV Performance


Network Problems

Symptoms:

  • “Network timeout” errors
  • “Connection refused”
  • Can’t connect to add-ons
  • Intermittent connectivity

Common causes:

  • Router issues
  • ISP problems
  • DNS issues
  • Firewall/proxy blocking

Guide: Network Checklist


When to Reinstall

Reinstalling should be a last resort, but it’s necessary if:

  • Stremio won’t launch at all after trying everything
  • Corruption is suspected (frequent crashes, data loss)
  • You’ve exhausted all other troubleshooting steps

How to Reinstall Cleanly

  1. Uninstall Stremio (see your device-specific install guide)
  2. Delete user data folder:
    • Windows: %APPDATA%\Stremio
    • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Stremio
    • Linux: ~/.config/Stremio
    • Android: Clear app data in Settings → Apps → Stremio
  3. Restart your device
  4. Download fresh installer from stremio.com
  5. Install and set up from scratch
Warning

Warning: Deleting user data erases local settings and cache. Your library is safe if you have a Stremio account (cloud-synced).


Getting Help

If you can’t solve your problem:

1. Use the Decision Tree

The Troubleshooting Decision Tree guides you through a step-by-step diagnostic flow.

2. Check the FAQ

The FAQ has quick answers to 40+ common questions.

3. Search This Site

Use the search bar at the top to find relevant guides and tips.

4. Ask the Community

See Reporting Issues & Scams for how to get help from the official Stremio community.


Prevention Tips

Avoid future issues with these best practices:

✅ DO:

  • Keep Stremio updated (install updates when notified)
  • Use a stable internet connection (wired Ethernet is best)
  • Audit add-ons regularly (remove broken or unused ones)
  • Clear cache periodically (once a month if you use Stremio daily)
  • Restart Stremio occasionally (don’t leave it running 24/7)

❌ DON’T:

  • Install too many add-ons (more add-ons = more complexity)
  • Ignore error messages (they often tell you what’s wrong)
  • Modify advanced settings without understanding them
  • Use Stremio on an overloaded/underpowered device

Choose Your Next Step