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Stremio Setup Guide - Complete Tutorial & Documentation

Troubleshooting Decision Tree

This interactive troubleshooting guide helps you systematically diagnose and fix Stremio issues. Follow the decision tree based on your specific problem to find the most effective solution.

Quick Problem Identification

What type of problem are you experiencing?

🎬 Playback Issues

  • Videos won’t play or buffer constantly
  • Audio/video sync problems
  • Quality switching issues
  • Player crashes during playback

🔍 Content Discovery Issues

  • Can’t find specific movies/shows
  • Add-ons not loading content
  • Search not working
  • Catalogs not updating

📱 App Performance Issues

  • App crashes or freezes
  • Slow loading times
  • High battery/memory usage
  • Interface lag or unresponsiveness

🔒 Account & Sync Issues

  • Can’t login to account
  • Data not syncing across devices
  • Library not updating
  • Password/account problems

📝 Subtitle Issues

  • Subtitles not appearing
  • Wrong language subtitles
  • Subtitle sync problems
  • Subtitle add-on issues

🌐 Network & Connection Issues

  • Buffering on good internet
  • Can’t connect to streaming sources
  • VPN/proxy problems
  • Firewall blocking issues

⚙️ Device-Specific Issues

  • Android TV performance problems
  • Mobile app issues
  • Desktop app problems
  • Browser/web version issues

Playback Issues Decision Tree

Videos Won’t Play

Steps

  1. Check Basic Requirements

    • ✅ Internet connection working?
    • ✅ Stremio app updated?
    • ✅ Device meets minimum requirements?
    • ✅ Add-ons installed and enabled?

  2. If basic checks pass → Test Content Source

    • Try different video from same add-on
    • Try same video from different add-on
    • Try completely different add-on

  3. Content Source Test Results:

    • Same add-on works → Problem is specific content
      • Try different quality/stream
      • Check content availability
      • Contact add-on developer
    • Different add-on works → Problem is specific add-on
      • Update or reinstall add-on
      • Check add-on configuration
      • Try alternative add-on
    • No add-ons work → Problem is Stremio/app
      • Clear app cache and data
      • Reinstall Stremio
      • Check device compatibility

Constant Buffering

Steps

  1. Check Network Speed

    • Run speed test (fast.com or speedtest.net)
    • Is speed 3x minimum requirement?
    • Test during different times

  2. Network Speed Results:

    • Speed adequate → Check device/network setup
      • Try wired Ethernet connection
      • Close bandwidth-heavy apps
      • Restart router and device
      • Lower video quality
    • Speed inadequate → Network problem
      • Contact ISP about speeds
      • Check for data caps/throttling
      • Use VPN to test (may bypass throttling)
      • Schedule viewing during off-peak hours

  3. If network is fine → Check Device Performance

    • Close unnecessary background apps
    • Clear app cache
    • Check device temperature/ventilation
    • Test on different device

Audio/Video Sync Problems

Steps

  1. Check Content Type

    • Is this live streaming or recorded content?
    • Is this a specific video or all content?

  2. Content Type Analysis:

    • Live streaming → Normal, some sync delay expected
      • Try different streaming source
      • Accept as limitation of live content
    • Specific video → Content-specific issue
      • Try different quality/stream
      • Use different add-on for same content
    • All content → Player/app issue
      • Check player settings for sync options
      • Update audio/video drivers
      • Test on different device

  3. Manual Sync Adjustment

    • Use J/K keys for timing adjustment
    • Check if issue persists across devices
    • Test with local video files

Content Discovery Issues

Can’t Find Specific Content

Steps

  1. Verify Search Terms

    • Check spelling of title/actor/director
    • Try different search variations
    • Include year for specific versions

  2. Search Results:

    • No results found → Content availability issue
      • Try different add-ons
      • Check regional availability
      • Search community forums
    • Wrong results → Search/add-on issue
      • Clear search cache
      • Update add-ons
      • Try different search terms

  3. Content Found But Won’t Play

    • Follow “Videos Won’t Play” tree above
    • Check if content is region-locked
    • Verify account/subscription status

Add-ons Not Loading

Steps

  1. Check Add-on Status

    • Is add-on installed and enabled?
    • Any error messages in add-on section?
    • Is add-on updated to latest version?

  2. Add-on Status Results:

    • Add-on enabled and updated → Network/connectivity issue
      • Check internet connection
      • Disable VPN temporarily
      • Clear app cache
    • Add-on disabled → Enable and test
    • Add-on outdated → Update and test
    • Error message → Specific add-on problem
      • Reinstall add-on
      • Check add-on documentation
      • Contact add-on developer

  3. Multiple Add-ons Affected

    • Clear all app cache
    • Restart Stremio
    • Check network connectivity
    • Test on different device

App Performance Issues

App Crashes or Freezes

Steps

  1. When does it crash?

    • On startup? During playback? When browsing?
    • With specific content? With specific add-ons?

  2. Crash Timing Analysis:

    • On startup → Installation or compatibility issue
      • Reinstall Stremio
      • Check device compatibility
      • Update device OS
    • During playback → Content or player issue
      • Try different content
      • Update player components
      • Check device resources
    • When browsing → Add-on or memory issue
      • Reduce number of add-ons
      • Clear cache
      • Free up device memory

  3. Freeze vs Crash:

    • Freeze → Temporary hang
      • Wait 30+ seconds
      • Force close and restart
      • Check device resources
    • Crash → App closes completely
      • Check crash logs
      • Update app and system
      • Test on different device

Slow Loading Times

Steps

  1. What loads slowly?

    • App startup? Content browsing? Video playback?

  2. Loading Component:

    • App startup → Device performance issue
      • Close background apps
      • Clear app cache
      • Restart device
    • Content browsing → Network or add-on issue
      • Check internet speed
      • Reduce active add-ons
      • Clear browsing cache
    • Video playback → Follow buffering tree above

  3. Performance Optimization

    • Update Stremio to latest version
    • Clear all caches
    • Restart device
    • Test with minimal add-ons

Account & Sync Issues

Can’t Login

Steps

  1. Login Method

    • Email/password? Social login? Guest access?

  2. Login Type Analysis:

    • Email/password → Credential issue
      • Check email and password
      • Try password reset
      • Check account status
    • Social login → Third-party issue
      • Check social account access
      • Try different login method
      • Clear browser cookies
    • Guest access → Network or app issue
      • Check internet connection
      • Clear app cache
      • Try different device

  3. Error Messages:

    • Invalid credentials → Check email/password
    • Account locked → Follow unlock procedure
    • Network error → Check connection
    • Server error → Wait and retry

Sync Not Working

Steps

  1. What isn’t syncing?

    • Library? Watchlist? History? All data?

  2. Sync Scope Analysis:

    • All data → Account/network issue
      • Check login status
      • Verify internet connection
      • Force manual sync
    • Specific data → Content-specific issue
      • Check if content is syncable
      • Verify account permissions
      • Test on different device

  3. Device Sync Status:

    • Check connected devices list
    • Remove old/unused devices
    • Test sync on primary device
    • Wait 5-10 minutes for sync completion

Subtitle Issues

Subtitles Not Appearing

Steps

  1. Subtitle Type

    • Built-in subtitles? Add-on subtitles? Manual files?

  2. Subtitle Type Analysis:

    • Built-in → Stream issue
      • Check if content has subtitles
      • Try different quality/stream
      • Verify language selection
    • Add-on → Add-on issue
      • Check add-on installation
      • Update subtitle add-on
      • Try different subtitle add-on
    • Manual files → File issue
      • Check file format and encoding
      • Verify file location/path
      • Test with different subtitle file

  3. Visibility Check:

    • Press ‘S’ to toggle subtitles
    • Check subtitle menu for active tracks
    • Adjust subtitle appearance settings
    • Test on different content

Subtitle Sync Problems

Steps

  1. Sync Pattern

    • Consistently early/late? Drifting over time?

  2. Sync Pattern Analysis:

    • Consistent offset → Timing adjustment needed
      • Use J/K keys for manual sync
      • Check frame rate settings
      • Adjust in player settings
    • Drifting sync → Content or player issue
      • Try different streaming source
      • Check video frame rate
      • Test on different device

  3. Advanced Sync:

    • Use subtitle editing software
    • Check original content frame rate
    • Adjust player sync settings
    • Create custom sync offset

Network Issues

Connection Problems

Steps

  1. Connection Type

    • Wi-Fi? Ethernet? Mobile data? VPN?

  2. Connection Type Analysis:

    • Wi-Fi → Wireless issue
      • Check signal strength
      • Try different Wi-Fi network
      • Move closer to router
    • Ethernet → Wired issue
      • Check cable connections
      • Test different Ethernet port
      • Try different cable
    • Mobile data → Cellular issue
      • Check data signal
      • Verify data plan limits
      • Try Wi-Fi hotspot
    • VPN → VPN configuration issue
      • Test without VPN
      • Change VPN server
      • Check VPN settings

  3. General Network Test:

    • Test internet speed
    • Ping common websites
    • Check DNS resolution
    • Test on different device

Firewall/Security Blocking

Steps

  1. Security Software

    • Antivirus? Firewall? VPN? Ad blocker?

  2. Security Software Analysis:

    • Antivirus → Add Stremio exception
    • Firewall → Allow Stremio network access
    • VPN → Configure for Stremio
    • Ad blocker → Whitelist Stremio domains

  3. Corporate/Network Restrictions:

    • Check with IT department
    • Use personal hotspot
    • Request Stremio access
    • Use VPN if allowed

Device-Specific Issues

Android TV Problems

Steps

  1. Performance Issue Type

    • Crashing? Buffering? Interface lag?

  2. Android TV Issue Analysis:

    • Crashing → Memory or compatibility issue
      • Clear cache and data
      • Check Android TV version
      • Free up storage space
    • Buffering → Network or performance issue
      • Check network speed
      • Lower video quality
      • Close background apps
    • Interface lag → Performance issue
      • Restart Android TV
      • Clear app cache
      • Check device temperature

  3. Android TV Specific:

    • Update system software
    • Check developer options
    • Test with wired connection
    • Verify app compatibility

Mobile App Issues

Steps

  1. Platform

    • iOS? Android? Specific version?

  2. Mobile Platform Analysis:

    • iOS → Apple-specific issue
      • Check iOS version compatibility
      • Test background app refresh
      • Verify app permissions
    • Android → Android-specific issue
      • Check Android version
      • Verify app permissions
      • Test different Android device

  3. Common Mobile Issues:

    • Background playback problems
    • Battery optimization interference
    • Storage permission issues
    • Network switching problems

Desktop App Issues

Steps

  1. Operating System

    • Windows? macOS? Linux? Version?

  2. OS Analysis:

    • Windows → Windows-specific issue
      • Check Windows version
      • Run as administrator
      • Update graphics drivers
    • macOS → Apple-specific issue
      • Check macOS version
      • Verify app permissions
      • Test in different user account
    • Linux → Distribution-specific issue
      • Check dependencies
      • Verify graphics drivers
      • Test different desktop environment

  3. Desktop Common Issues:

    • Graphics driver problems
    • Permission issues
    • Conflicting software
    • System resource limitations

Emergency Solutions

Complete Reset

Steps

  1. Backup Important Data

    • Export library if possible
    • Note installed add-ons
    • Save custom settings
    • Document working configurations

  2. Complete Reset Process

    • Uninstall Stremio
    • Delete all app data folders
    • Restart device
    • Reinstall Stremio fresh

  3. Gradual Restoration

    • Install minimal add-ons first
    • Test basic functionality
    • Add features gradually
    • Restore settings one by one

Getting Professional Help

When to Contact Support:

  • All troubleshooting steps exhausted
  • Issue affects multiple devices
  • Account security concerns
  • Hardware failure symptoms
  • Persistent problems after resets

Support Information:

  • Stremio Support: support@stremio.com
  • Response Time: 24-48 hours typically
  • Required Info: Device details, error messages, troubleshooting steps tried
  • Community Help: Forums and Reddit communities

Prevention Checklist

Regular Maintenance

  • Update Stremio weekly
  • Update add-ons regularly
  • Clear cache monthly
  • Test on different devices
  • Monitor network speeds
  • Check account security
  • Backup configurations
  • Review device permissions

Problem Prevention

  • Use stable internet connection
  • Keep devices updated
  • Monitor storage space
  • Use reputable add-ons
  • Regular security scans
  • Test new features carefully
  • Maintain device performance
  • Use strong passwords
Tip

Most Stremio issues can be resolved by following this decision tree systematically. Start with basic checks and work through the branches based on your specific symptoms.

Quick Reference

Most Common Fixes

  1. Restart everything (device, router, Stremio)
  2. Clear cache (app and browser)
  3. Check internet speed (minimum requirements)
  4. Update everything (app, add-ons, system)
  5. Try different content/add-on (isolate the problem)
  6. Test on different device (device-specific issue?)
  7. Reinstall app (last resort for app issues)

Emergency Contacts

  • Stremio Support: support@stremio.com
  • Community Forums: forum.stremio.com
  • Reddit: r/Stremio
  • GitHub Issues: github.com/Stremio/stremio

Sources: