How to Set Up IPTV on Kodi with PVR IPTV Simple Client
Kodi's official PVR IPTV Simple Client turns your playlist into a full Live TV section with a guide. Here's the complete setup.
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- IPTVSubTV Editorial Team
- Published
- Updated
- Reading time
- 3 min read
Kodi is a free, open-source media centre for Android, Fire TV, Windows, macOS and Linux. With the official PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on, it can turn your IPTV playlist into a proper Live TV section with a programme guide.
It takes a few more steps than a dedicated player, but rewards you with a highly customisable setup. For simpler options, see best IPTV player apps.
Quick answer
To set up IPTV in Kodi, go to Settings → Add-ons → Install from repository → PVR clients, install PVR IPTV Simple Client, open Configure, add your M3U URL as a remote path and your XMLTV guide URL, restart Kodi and enable TV under PVR & Live TV.
Step 1: Install PVR IPTV Simple Client
Open Add-ons
From Kodi's home screen, select the settings (cog) icon, then Add-ons.
Install from repository
Choose Install from repository → Kodi Add-on repository → PVR clients.
Select PVR IPTV Simple Client
Select it and choose Install. It's an official add-on from the Kodi repository.
Step 2: Add your playlist and guide
Open Configure
After installation, select the add-on and choose Configure.
M3U settings
Set Location to Remote path (Internet address) and paste your M3U playlist URL.
EPG settings
Set Location to Remote path and paste the XMLTV guide URL, if your provider supplies one.
Save and restart Kodi
Select OK, then restart Kodi so the channels and guide load.
Newer Kodi versions let you add several configurations to the same add-on — useful if you have more than one playlist.
Step 3: Enable Live TV
Go to Settings → PVR & Live TV and make sure TV is enabled. A TV entry appears on the home screen, with Channels, Guide and Recordings sections. Use the Guide view for a grid like a cable box.
Useful settings
| Setting | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh M3U at startup | Simple Client → General | Picks up channel changes |
| EPG time shift | Simple Client → EPG | Fixes guide times that are off by hours |
| Adjust display refresh rate | Settings → Player → Videos | Smoother playback by matching frame rate |
| Hardware acceleration | Settings → Player → Videos | Lower CPU load, smoother HD and 4K |
Troubleshooting Kodi IPTV
- "PVR manager is starting up" for a long time: large playlists take a while on first load; wait, then restart Kodi.
- No channels: check the M3U URL is complete; try opening it in VLC to confirm it works.
- Guide empty: add the XMLTV URL and clear data in PVR & Live TV → General.
- Stutter: see the buffering guide.
A note on third-party add-ons
Kodi itself is legitimate, but third-party add-ons from unknown repositories can be unsafe or provide unlicensed content. Stick to official add-ons such as PVR IPTV Simple Client — see is IPTV safe? and is IPTV legal?.
Kodi IPTV setup: frequently asked questions
Yes. It's available from the official Kodi add-on repository under PVR clients.
The Simple Client works with M3U playlists and XMLTV guides. Use the M3U URL from your activation details.
Add your provider's XMLTV URL in the EPG settings, restart Kodi, and clear PVR data if needed.
Conclusion
Kodi takes a few more steps than a dedicated player but gives you a highly customisable Live TV section. Stick to official add-ons.
Check your playlist quickly in VLC, learn about the IPTV EPG, and browse all IPTV Apps.
