An empty guide usually means no EPG URL has been added; a guide shifted by a fixed number of hours is a timezone setting, not bad data; and missing catch-up is almost always a consequence of the guide not working. The playlist and the guide are separate feeds, which is why channels can load perfectly while the schedule stays blank.
Why the guide is separate from the channels
Your playlist lists channels and stream addresses. The guide is a different file, in a different format (XMLTV), listing what is on each channel and when. They are matched by an ID — the tvg-id field in the M3U file.
Three things follow, and they explain every guide problem there is:
- Channels can work perfectly while the guide is completely empty.
- An M3U link on its own often does not include the guide at all.
- If the IDs do not match between the two files, some channels will have a schedule and others will not.
Problem 1 — the guide is completely empty
Almost always a missing EPG URL.
- Ask your provider for the EPG URL. It normally looks like
http://server:8080/xmltv.php?username=…&password=… - In your player, find EPG settings — in IPTV Smarters it is under the playlist's settings; in TiviMate it is Playlists → EPG sources.
- Add the URL and force a refresh.
- Give it a few minutes. Guide files are large and are processed after download.
Switch to an Xtream Codes login instead of an M3U link. It carries the guide automatically and removes this problem permanently.
Problem 2 — the times are wrong
Look at the pattern before changing anything, because it tells you which of two very different problems you have.
| Pattern | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Every channel shifted by the same number of hours | Player timezone setting | Set your timezone or EPG offset in the player |
| Only some channels wrong | Mismatched guide IDs between playlist and EPG | Report the channel names to support |
| Times drift through the day | Device clock wrong | Set the device to automatic date and time |
| Guide is a day behind | Cached guide data | Force an EPG refresh |
The first row is by far the most common, and it is a two-tap fix in the player rather than anything to report.
Problem 3 — catch-up is missing
Catch-up lets you rewind a live channel to something already broadcast. It depends on three things being true at once, which is why it is the first feature to disappear.
- The channel must support it. Not all do, and it is the broadcaster's decision.
- The guide must be working. Catch-up is selected from the schedule, so no guide means no catch-up.
- The player must support it. TiviMate handles archives well; simpler players often do not.
If the guide is fine and the player supports it but catch-up still does not appear on a channel, that channel does not carry an archive. Ask support which of your regular channels do.
Guide behaviour worth knowing about
- Guides cache. Most players refresh every 6–24 hours, so a change at the provider is not visible immediately. Force a refresh rather than waiting.
- The first load is slow. Several days of schedule for thousands of channels is a large file to parse on a streaming stick.
- Coverage varies by market. Major markets get several days ahead; smaller ones may get a few hours or nothing.
- International channels stay in their own language. That is normally what people want, but it means one guide can mix scripts.
A guide that is genuinely good is one of the clearest signals of a well-run service, which is why it is on the list of things to test during a trial rather than after paying.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my IPTV guide empty?
Usually because no EPG URL has been added — an M3U playlist often does not include guide data. Add the EPG URL in your player, or switch to an Xtream Codes login, which carries it automatically.
Why does my IPTV guide show the wrong times?
If every channel is shifted by the same amount, it is the player's timezone setting. If only some are wrong, the guide IDs do not match the playlist and support needs to correct it.
How do I refresh the EPG?
Most players have a refresh EPG option in the playlist settings. Guide data is cached for hours, so a change at the provider is not visible until you refresh.
Why does catch-up not work on some channels?
Catch-up needs the channel to carry an archive, the guide to be working and the player to support it. Not every channel provides one — it is the broadcaster's decision.
Last reviewed September 22, 2026 by The HakunaXTR team · About the team
