Quick answer: If Kodi add-ons are not working, do not start by deleting Kodi or installing a random “fix” ZIP. Restart the device, check the date, storage and internet connection, update Kodi and the add-on, then read Kodi’s Event Log. Those checks solve many common failures without wiping your library.
Reviewed October 10, 2026. This guide covers legal add-ons and does not provide streams or instructions for bypassing access controls.
Why Kodi add-ons suddenly stop working
An add-on can fail even when Kodi itself opens normally. The usual causes are an outdated add-on, a missing dependency, a repository that moved, a service outage, a device clock that is wrong, or a website that changed how it delivers content. If only one add-on fails, the problem is probably with that add-on or its source. If every add-on fails, check Kodi, the network and the device first.
Before you change anything
Write down the add-on name and the exact error. If you have a customized setup, back up Kodi’s user data before removing profiles, repositories or application data. Avoid “one-click cleaner” tools that promise to repair everything. They can erase useful logs and settings.
12 safe fixes for Kodi add-ons not working
1. Restart Kodi and the device
Close Kodi completely instead of leaving it in the background. Restart the streaming box, television or computer, then open Kodi again. This clears stuck background jobs and temporary network errors.
2. Check the internet, date and free space
Open another app or website on the same device. Make sure the date, time and time zone are correct because a bad clock can break secure connections. Keep enough free storage for updates, artwork and temporary files.
3. Use a supported Kodi release
At the time this guide was reviewed, Kodi 21.3 “Omega” was the current stable release announced by the Kodi team. Old add-ons may not work after a major Kodi upgrade because Python and other compatibility requirements change. Update from the official Kodi download page or your device’s trusted app store.
4. Update the add-on and its repository
Go to Add-ons > My add-ons, open the add-on, and choose Versions or Update when available. In Settings > System > Add-ons, review the update options. Automatic updates are convenient, but notifications let you see what is changing.
5. Read Kodi’s Event Log
Open the Event Log after the failure. Kodi records add-on installs, updates and errors there, which can quickly reveal a failed dependency or unreachable repository. Select an event to view more detail.
6. Confirm the add-on is enabled
Open Add-ons > My add-ons, choose the add-on type, and select the add-on. If it is disabled, enable it and try again. Kodi can disable incompatible add-ons during an upgrade.
7. Check dependencies
Add-ons rely on helper modules. Open the add-on information screen and review its dependencies. A “failed to install a dependency” message often means a repository is offline, the dependency no longer supports your Kodi version, or two repositories offer conflicting versions.
8. Reset only the problem add-on
If the add-on has its own cache or reset option, use that first. Do not erase Kodi’s entire application data unless you have a backup and other fixes failed. A targeted reset is easier to undo.
9. Reinstall from a trusted repository
Uninstall the broken add-on, restart Kodi, and reinstall it from the official Kodi repository or the developer’s verified repository. Do not download mystery ZIP files from pop-ups or copied tutorials.
10. Test the default skin
Switch temporarily to Kodi’s default Estuary skin. If menus work normally there, the issue may be an old skin, widget or shortcut rather than the add-on itself.
11. Test a clean profile
If many add-ons fail but Kodi still opens, create a fresh test profile. Install one trusted add-on and test it. A clean profile can separate a damaged configuration from a device-wide problem.
12. Collect a full debug log
Turn on debug logging, reproduce the error once, then close Kodi normally. The official Kodi wiki explains where to find kodi.log. Review the log for personal paths or usernames before sharing it. A complete log is much more useful than one copied error line.
What common Kodi errors mean
- Failed to install a dependency: a required helper could not be downloaded or is incompatible.
- Script failed: the add-on’s code hit an error; the debug log should name the module or request.
- Could not connect to repository: check the URL, device clock, internet connection and whether the repository still exists.
- No streams available: the add-on opened, but its source returned no playable result. That is not always a Kodi problem.
Should you install a different repository?
Only when the add-on developer points to it from a source you can verify. Third-party repositories can disappear or be taken over. Kodi’s “Unknown sources” switch is a security boundary, not a recommendation. Leave it off unless you understand exactly what you are installing.
If a tutorial makes a dramatic claim, use our 10-minute source-checking checklist before trusting its download link. You can also browse more practical guides in the Kodi section.
Frequently asked questions
Will clearing Kodi’s cache fix every add-on?
No. It may help with damaged temporary files, but it will not repair a dead repository, incompatible code or a service outage.
Why does one add-on work while another does not?
Each add-on connects to different services and uses different dependencies. Test another add-on from the official repository to learn whether the failure is local or limited to one source.
Is reinstalling Kodi the first step?
No. Reinstalling can remove useful evidence and settings. Start with the smaller checks above and back up your data before a full reset.
