Could Not Connect to Repository Kodi Error Fix Guide
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Sometimes you’re watching your favorite show on one of your addons and you get an error “Could not connect to repository” out of the blue.
More than likely this pops up when you are trying to install an addon, on the add source screen.
In this guide, we look at why this error happens and how we can get back to watching Kodi and finding out what happens after that addictive cliffhanger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDmkQXP71_k&t=3s
Why Does a Could not Connect Error Happen
A connection error is straightforward, it means either that the source it is trying to connect to is not responding, or you are unable to send a request from your home server.
Either way somewhere along the line a connection is broken in the send request, receive the request, send a response, receive response chain.
How to Fix the Kodi Unable to Connect Error
There’s a host of ways to fix this error starting from the most to least obvious
Check Your Internet Connection
The timeless classic of “Did you check the Wi-Fi?” but often the most obvious solution. Jump on a browser and try to access a website. If the connection times out, then the problem is yours.
Turn the Wi-Fi router on and off, and then try again. If the problem persists then use your mobile data to check if your Internet Service Provider is down or doing maintenance in your area.
Another way is powering off all your devices and your router for 5-10 minutes and then trying again.
Check the Repository URL
We’ve all made this mistake. Did you enter an HTTPS instead of HTTP? Is there the right number of backslashes?
URLs must be precise and rechecking your typing will save you a lot of farting around.
All you must do is edit the source and try again.
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Install Surfshark on Firestick
Is the URL Working?
There’s always a chance with Kodi, that the addon or build has gone down suddenly and without warning.
Whether the developer made a mistake, their IP address has been blocked or they are having server problems themselves.
To check if the URL is working, punch up a browser somewhere and enter the URL you’ve just typed in for the repository.
You should see a simple HTML page with a file menu, all in text.
If the link you typed in pings out or cannot connect, then the problem might be with the repository itself.
If the addon is popular you can Google around for news, check isitdownornot.com, or search through Reddit for other users having the same problem.
When a repository is down, it’s best to move onto another addon and come back later in the day to see if the outage is temporary or may last a while.
Update Kodi
Check with www.Kodi.tv to see if you have the latest version of Kodi installed on your device. Sometimes if you haven’t used Kodi for a few months or even years then you may be a way behind.
Kodi updates regularly so it’s easy to fall behind.
By updating Kodi, you make sure that all your source files and dependencies are up to date, so you can cross those off your list.
Network Error, Time To Get a VPN
If you frequently use your IP address for Kodi over time it may get blacklisted. Your Internet Service is bound by law to make every effort to prevent the distribution of copyrighted material illegally.
Kodi and its add-ons give you a way to access that material.
Every time you use your IP, your ISP can see everything that you are doing and may choose to blacklist you to prevent you from accessing content.
Your ISP won’t tell you that, but if you have persistent connection problems then it’s a good guess.
So, do yourself a favor and get yourself a VPN. A Virtual Private Network will encrypt your connection from your device to their DNS server. This means that your ISP cannot see where your traffic is bound to, what the data continues, and in turn what is being received by your device.
We bet you didn’t know ISPs ban almost half of all online traffic. You can also obscure and change your IP address using your VPN’s many servers across the world.
Ensuring that your connection is anonymous, secure, and private.
We recommend installing an active VPN on your device. We recommend Surfshark as your best choice.
Note: For more information about Surfshark, please read our Surfshark Review.
How to Install Surfshark VPN on Firestick
If your Firestick still has the older interface, read this article to learn how to update it: Update Firestick Interface.
1. Go to the Home screen of your Firestick.
2. Navigate towards the Find tab. Press the Search button from the resulting dropdown.
3. Type in the keyword of Surfshark and select from the suggestions that will appear.
4. Click the official Surfshark icon from your search results.
5. Press the Download (You own it) button.
6. The Surfshark VPN installer will download on your device.
7. Surfshark VPN’s app will automatically install itself on your Fire TV stick.
8. Press the Open button after completing Surfshark VPN’s installation process.
9. Please wait for the Surfshark VPN to load its user interface.
10. You can now log in with your Surfshark VPN account credentials.
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Check Your Error Log
If you’ve got here then your internet works, as does the repository URL, and you’ve checked that works in a browser. You’ve updated Kodi and even got yourself a shiny new VPN to obscure your IP and allow you to browse safely online.
So, the problem may be more than just a connection problem.
You can check your error log by downloading Log Viewer:
- Go to your Kodi Home Screen
- Click addons and then install from the repository
- Go to Program add-ons and then find Log Viewer for Kodi
- Install and run Log Viewer
- On the home screen for the add on, click setting and then invert the log so you can see the most recent error messages (they have ERROR next to the timestamp)
- Click Show Log and then take a photo or screenshot of the error
With a program as complex as Kodi, and with so many 3rd party addons the problem could be anything.
Try Googling the error and see if you can come across a forum post with the same type of error. The Kodi community is massive, so the chances are if you are experiencing this error then someone else has too.
Final Thoughts
In rare cases, you may find yourself getting through to the final stage and still having persistent problems. If it’s just this add on maybe try another.
If you have this problem with multiple add ons, then either fresh install Kodi onto your device, or plow through Kodi forums and Reddit to find the root of your problems.