Import troubleshooting
When M3UTool cannot read your provider's list, the Add my channels window shows a red message at the top. The message says what went wrong, and most causes are quick to fix. Follow these steps to find the cause and get your playlist in.
Steps
- Read the message: It stays at the top of the window until you close it with the cross. A problem at the provider starts with Could not read the source: followed by the reason. Look the reason up in the table below.
- Check the details: Compare Host, Username and Password, or the link, character by character with what your provider sent. A missing port, for example :8080, is a common mistake.
- Test the link outside M3UTool: Open the same link in VLC or a player app on your computer. If it does not work there either, the problem is at your provider.
- Try again: Click Find my channels again. A provider that was busy often answers the second time.
- Ask your provider: If the link works in your player but not in M3UTool, your provider may block M3UTool. Ask them to allow it.
Messages and what they mean
| Message | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Download failed (HTTP 401) or (HTTP 403) | The provider refused the login. The username or password is wrong, the line has expired, or the provider blocks the request. | Check the login with your provider and try again. |
| Download failed (HTTP 404) | The address does not exist. | Check the host, the port and the link. |
| Download failed (HTTP 500), 502 or 503 | The provider's server has a problem or is too busy. | Wait a few minutes and try again. |
| Your provider refused this download | The provider blocks requests from M3UTool's address, or the line is tied to one device or address. | Ask your provider to allow it. |
| This file is … MB. The upload limit is … MB. | The file you picked is too big to upload. | Use M3U URL or Xtream instead. |
| Enter the host, … or Enter the username. | Shown right under the empty Xtream box. | Fill it in. |
Other problems
- It takes very long: A big list needs time to download and read. The window says what it is doing and how many channels it found so far. Leave it open, or click Stop and try again later.
- The Add button stays grey: Nothing is ticked, or what you ticked is more than your plan allows. The window says how many channels you are over. Untick a few groups. More in Choose groups.
- Add playlist does nothing but show a message: You already have as many playlists as your plan allows. More in Plans and limits.
- The playlist card shows error: The import stopped after it started. Delete the playlist and add it again. If it happens again, open a ticket with the playlist name. More in Support tickets.
Tip: If your provider gave you both an Xtream login and an M3U link and one of them fails, try the other.