Note: Kodi setup is more complex than TiviMate or IPTV Smarters. If you're new to IPTV, we recommend TiviMate on Firestick instead. This guide is for existing Kodi users.
TVNado is an IPTV service that works with Kodi — it supports M3U playlists and EPG on all Kodi versions including Kodi 21 Omega.
What You Need Before You Start
You need three things: a working Kodi install, an M3U playlist URL and an XMLTV EPG URL. Kodi does not log in with a username and password the way IPTV Smarters or TiviMate do. The PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on reads a playlist link, so the credentials have to arrive as a URL. No playlist yet? A no-card TVNado trial is enough to test the whole Kodi setup.
If support sent you Xtream Codes details (a server address, a username and a password) instead of links, the playlist URL is usually built in this form: http://server:port/get.php?username=USER&password=PASS&type=m3u_plus&output=ts, and the guide URL as http://server:port/xmltv.php?username=USER&password=PASS. Ask on WhatsApp if you are unsure; a single wrong character makes the add-on load zero channels. Our Xtream Codes setup guide explains how the three fields map onto a URL.
PVR IPTV Simple Client lives in the official Kodi Add-on repository maintained by Team Kodi. You do not need to enable Unknown sources or add a third-party repository to use it, which keeps your install clean.
Setting Up IPTV on Kodi with PVR IPTV Simple Client
💡 Request both your M3U URL and EPG URL from TVNado support before starting Kodi setup.
Where the Settings Sit in Each Kodi Version
The add-on is the same on every current release, but the configuration screen moved in Kodi 20. Use this table to find it on your version.
| Kodi version | Where to configure | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Matrix | Add-ons → My add-ons → PVR clients → PVR IPTV Simple Client → Configure | One configuration per install; playlist and guide on the General and EPG Settings tabs |
| 20 Nexus | Same path, then Add add-on configuration | Multiple instances: you can load a second playlist without a second add-on |
| 21 Omega | Same as Nexus | Same instance model as Nexus; settings carry over when you upgrade |
On each instance, set Location to Remote path (Internet address) before pasting the URL. Leaving it on Local path is the most common reason the playlist field seems to ignore what you typed.
Installing Kodi on Your Device First
Install Kodi from the official kodi.tv download page or the platform store, and skip prebuilt "fully loaded" builds, which bundle unknown add-ons and are a common source of slowdowns.
- Firestick and Fire TV: Kodi is not in the Amazon Appstore. Turn on Install unknown apps for Downloader under Settings → My Fire TV → Developer options, then fetch the Android ARMV7A (32-bit) build from kodi.tv. See our Downloader codes guide for entering addresses quickly.
- Android TV boxes and Google TV: install Kodi straight from the Google Play Store.
- Windows and macOS: use the installer from kodi.tv; Windows users can also take it from the Microsoft Store.
- Raspberry Pi: LibreELEC and OSMC ship Kodi with the PVR add-on available in the bundled repository; enable it under Add-ons → My add-ons → PVR clients.
- Linux desktops: some distributions package the add-on separately as kodi-pvr-iptvsimple; install it with your package manager if it is missing from the repository list.
Settings That Make Kodi Better for Live TV
A few defaults suit films more than live channels. Change these once and channel zapping feels much closer to a dedicated IPTV player.
- Cache M3U at local storage: on the General tab. Leave it on for faster start-up; turn it off for a day if new channels are not appearing.
- Refresh mode: set Repeated refresh with an interval of a few hours so channel changes reach Kodi without a restart.
- Channel logos: under the Channel Logos tab, keep Prefer M3U so logos come from the playlist.
- Adjust display refresh rate: Settings → Player → Videos. Set it to On start/stop so 50 Hz European feeds and 60 Hz US feeds play without judder.
- Deinterlacing: many live sports channels are broadcast interlaced. If you see combing on fast motion, open the on-screen video settings during playback and set the deinterlace method to Auto.
- Caching: switch the settings level to Expert (bottom left of the Settings screen), then open Settings → Services → Caching and raise the memory size if the stream pauses on a fast connection.
Common Kodi IPTV Errors and How to Fix Them
Most Kodi IPTV problems trace back to the playlist URL, the guide cache or the network, in that order.
❓ No channels after restart
Check that Location is set to Remote path and that the URL has no space at the end. Paste the same link into a browser on the same network; if it downloads a file, the link is fine and the add-on settings are wrong.
❓ "One or more items failed to play"
The channel's stream address could not be opened. Try two or three other channels. If none play, the subscription may have expired or the server port is blocked; if only one fails, report that channel to support.
❓ TV guide is empty or shows the wrong times
Go to Settings → PVR & Live TV → General → Clear data, then restart. If programmes are offset by a fixed number of hours, check your Kodi region and time zone under Settings → Interface → Regional.
❓ Channels load but buffer every few seconds
Plug in Ethernet where you can, test speed on the same device, and work through our buffering checklist before raising the cache size.
❓ Add-on is greyed out or missing
Enable PVR IPTV Simple Client under Add-ons → My add-ons → PVR clients. On some Linux systems the package has to be installed first.
For deeper fixes, see our guides to an EPG that will not load and stopping IPTV buffering.
Kodi or a Dedicated IPTV Player?
Choose Kodi if you already use it as your media centre and want live TV, your local files and your library in one interface. Choose a dedicated player if live channels are the main thing you watch.
Kodi's strengths are flexibility and platform reach: it runs on Raspberry Pi and Linux where most IPTV apps do not, and the add-on is open source. Its weaknesses are slower start-up with very large playlists, no native Xtream Codes login and no built-in on-demand catalogue view for films and series in the Simple Client.
Players such as TiviMate log in with Xtream Codes, show films and series as browsable libraries and handle large guides quickly. Our comparison of top IPTV players covers the alternatives, and the installation guide hub lists every device we support.
A Word on Third-Party Kodi Add-ons
Stick to the PVR IPTV Simple Client from the official repository. Many third-party Kodi add-ons that promise free live channels pull unlicensed streams and can expose you to malware or legal risk. Our explainer on whether IPTV is legal covers what to watch for, and our separate Mega IPTV on Kodi page covers that specific add-on.
Kodi IPTV FAQ
Can I use two IPTV playlists in Kodi?
Yes. On Kodi 20 Nexus and later, open the add-on and choose Add add-on configuration to create a second instance with its own playlist and guide URL.
Does Kodi support catch-up TV?
The Simple Client has a Catchup tab. It works when the provider's playlist includes catch-up tags for a channel; enable it there and look for the rewind marker in the guide.
Why do my films and series not show up?
The Simple Client is built for live channels. On-demand titles appear as channels in long lists at best; a player with Xtream Codes support shows them as a proper library.
Get Your M3U & EPG URLs
Message us on WhatsApp and we'll send you both URLs with your subscription.
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