If the TiviMate guide is empty, the app has not downloaded or matched your EPG data. Start with a manual EPG update, then check the date and time, the EPG link, and your network.
The steps below run from the quickest fix to the hardest one. Stop as soon as your guide fills in.
| Symptom | Most likely cause | Quickest fix |
|---|---|---|
| Guide is blank for every channel | EPG never downloaded | Run a manual EPG update |
| Guide is blank for some channels | Channels not matched to EPG IDs | Match channels manually |
| Programs show at the wrong hour | Time zone or time shift | Fix device time and EPG time shift |
| Guide stops after a few hours | Short EPG window or old data | Refresh and check the EPG source |
| Update fails or hangs | Bad link, weak network or DNS | Check the link, switch DNS |
| Guide worked, then broke after an update | Corrupt app data | Clear cache, re-add the playlist |
What "EPG" Means and Why It Fails
EPG stands for Electronic Program Guide. It is the schedule grid that shows what is on now and what comes next. TiviMate does not invent this data. It downloads it from a link, usually an XMLTV file or the guide that comes with your playlist.
That means the guide can break in only a few places:
- The link is wrong, expired or blocked.
- The download is too slow or gets cut off.
- The file downloads, but the channels do not match the guide IDs.
- The device clock is wrong, so the app shows the wrong hours.
- The app data is damaged and needs a reset.
Work through the causes in order. Each one is a small fix.
Quick Checks Before You Change Anything
Spend two minutes on these. They solve a surprising number of cases.
- Open another app on the same device and play a video. This proves your internet works.
- Confirm your subscription is active and your playlist still loads channels in TiviMate.
- Close TiviMate fully, then open it again.
- Wait a few minutes. A large guide can take a while to download on the first run.
If channels play but the guide is empty, the problem is the EPG only. Keep going.
Troubleshooting Steps: Cause → Fix
Cause → Fix: The guide has not updated yet
TiviMate refreshes the guide on a schedule. If you just added a playlist, or the device was off for days, the data may simply be old or missing.
- Open TiviMate and go to Settings.
- Open your Playlists section and select your playlist.
- Look for the EPG options and choose the manual update or refresh action.
- Wait until the progress finishes, then go back to the TV guide.
The menu names can differ slightly between versions, so look for the words "EPG" and "update" inside your playlist settings. On a large playlist, give it several minutes.
Cause → Fix: The device date and time are wrong
Guides are built around exact times. If your device clock is off, TiviMate may show an empty grid or place shows at the wrong hour. This is common on Android TV boxes that lost power or have no automatic time set.
- Open the system settings on your device (not the TiviMate settings).
- Find Date and time.
- Turn on automatic date and time, and automatic time zone if offered.
- Check that the time zone matches where you live.
- Restart the device, then update the EPG again.
A wrong year is a classic sign. If the clock says an old date, the guide data can look expired and be hidden.
Cause → Fix: The EPG shows at the wrong hour
Sometimes the guide loads but everything is shifted. A film that starts at 9 p.m. appears at 8 p.m. or 10 p.m. This is a time shift problem, not a download problem.
- First fix the device time zone, as in the step above.
- In TiviMate, open the playlist or EPG settings and look for an EPG time shift option, sometimes called a time offset.
- Move it one hour at a time until the schedule matches real time.
- Reopen the guide and check a few channels.
Set the shift once and leave it. Changing it often makes the guide harder to read.
Cause → Fix: Your internet or DNS is blocking the download
The EPG file can be large. A weak Wi-Fi signal, a busy network, or an ISP that slows certain traffic can make the download stall. When the file does not finish, the guide stays empty.
Try these in order:
- Move the device closer to the router, or use an Ethernet cable if the device has a port.
- Restart your router and your device.
- Pause large downloads on other devices while the EPG updates.
- Change your DNS to Cloudflare, 1.1.1.1. DNS is the address book your device uses to find servers, and a slow one can delay downloads.
- Run the EPG update again.
You can change DNS on your router so every device benefits, or in the network settings of the device itself. Exact menus depend on the brand, so check your router or device manual.
Independent tech sites such as TechRadar publish plain guides on how DNS works and how to change it on routers, if you want a deeper walk-through.
Cause → Fix: The EPG link is wrong or has expired
If TiviMate shows an error during the update, or the guide stays blank no matter what, check the link. A single wrong letter breaks it. Links can also change when a provider updates its setup.
- Go to your playlist settings in TiviMate and find the EPG source or EPG URL.
- Compare it with the link your provider gave you. Copy and paste it again instead of typing it.
- Remove spaces at the start or end of the link.
- Save, then run a manual EPG update.
If you do not have an EPG link, ask your provider for the correct one. With SubTV IP, you can ask WhatsApp support, and they can confirm the right details for your account.
Cause → Fix: Channels are not matched to the guide
Sometimes the guide downloads fine, but only some channels show programs. TiviMate links each channel to a guide entry using an ID. If the IDs do not match, those channels look empty.
- Open the channel list in TiviMate and find a channel with no guide data.
- Open the options for that channel and look for the EPG matching or channel EPG setting.
- Pick the correct guide entry from the list, or try the automatic match if offered.
- Repeat for the channels you watch most.
You only need to match the channels you actually use. Do not spend time on hundreds you never open.
Cause → Fix: The guide window is too short or stops early
If your guide shows only a few hours and then goes blank, the EPG source may only contain a small window of data. It can also mean the data was not refreshed in time.
- Run a manual EPG update to pull the most recent data.
- Check how often TiviMate refreshes your EPG, and pick a regular update interval if the option exists.
- If the guide still ends early, the source itself is short. Ask your provider for a longer guide link.
Cause → Fix: Damaged app data or cache
Old cache can break the guide, especially after an app update or a power cut during a download. Clearing it forces a clean start.
- Open your device system settings and go to Apps.
- Select TiviMate.
- Choose Clear cache.
- Reopen the app and run an EPG update.
If that does not help, you can clear app data as well. Be careful: this removes your saved playlists and settings, so keep your playlist details ready to enter again.
Cause → Fix: The playlist itself needs a reset
This is the hardest fix, so leave it for last. If nothing above worked, a clean playlist often does.
- Write down your playlist link and EPG link, or copy them somewhere safe.
- In TiviMate, remove the playlist from the playlist settings.
- Add the playlist again with the same details.
- Set the EPG source if it was not added automatically.
- Wait for the first full download to finish before you judge the result.
The first load after a reset is the slowest. Let it finish.
How to Read What TiviMate Is Telling You
The way the guide fails gives you a clue. Use this list to pick the right section above.
- Every channel is empty right after setup: the first download has not finished, or the EPG link is missing. Wait, then check the link.
- Every channel is empty after weeks of working fine: the link changed, the cache is damaged, or the clock is wrong. Check the date and time, then clear the cache.
- Only a few channels are empty: a matching problem. Match those channels by hand.
- The grid is full but the times are off: time zone or time shift.
- An error appears during the update: look at the link, your network and DNS.
Change one thing at a time. If you change three settings at once and the guide loads, you will not know which one fixed it. If it breaks again later, you will have no idea where to look.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Clearing app data too early. It deletes your playlists. Clear the cache first.
- Typing the link by hand. Copy and paste it so no letter is wrong.
- Judging the guide too soon. A big guide can take several minutes to load.
- Changing the time shift while the time zone is wrong. Fix the time zone first.
- Using weak Wi-Fi for a large download. Wired is more reliable for the update.
- Adding the same playlist many times. Duplicates can confuse the guide. Keep one clean copy.
Settings That Keep the Guide Healthy
Once the guide works, a few habits keep it that way.
- Use a stable connection. Ethernet is best for a box that stays in one place.
- Keep automatic time on. A correct clock avoids most time problems.
- Update TiviMate when a new version is out. Fixes arrive through updates.
- Use Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1). It can help when your ISP is slow with downloads.
- Set the buffer to about 5,000 ms. This helps playback stay smooth when your connection varies. It does not change the guide, but it improves the overall experience.
The guide and the stream use different data. A good guide does not guarantee smooth video, and smooth video does not guarantee a guide. Fix each one on its own.
Works on These Devices and Players
The fixes above apply to TiviMate 5.x on Android-based devices. SubTV IP supports these devices:
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max
- Android TV Box
- Xiaomi Mi Box S
- Samsung Smart TV (Tizen)
- LG webOS
- Apple TV
TiviMate runs on Android-based devices, such as the Fire TV Stick, Android TV boxes and the Mi Box S. If you use Samsung, LG or Apple TV, you will use a different supported player. SubTV IP also supports IBO Player Pro, IPTV Smarters Pro, Kodi 21 and Flex IPTV as other players, and their guide menus work differently from TiviMate.
If you want to compare players before you switch, reviewers such as Trusted Reviews cover streaming devices and apps in detail.
What to Do If Nothing Worked
If you have tried every step and the guide is still empty, the issue is probably on the source side, not on your device. Here is what to do next.
- Write down what you see: a blank grid, an error message, or wrong times.
- Note your device model and your TiviMate version.
- Check that the same problem happens on Wi-Fi and on a different network, such as a phone hotspot.
- Contact your provider with those details.
A phone hotspot check is useful. If the guide loads there, your home network or ISP is the cause, and DNS or router changes are your next move.
SubTV IP offers WhatsApp support, so you can send your device and error details in one message. If you are still shopping for a reliable service, SubTV IP is a paid premium subscription with 1, 3 or 12 month plans, instant activation after order, 99.9% uptime and an anti-freeze server cluster. Secure payment is available through PayPal and credit card.