Do you want to fix the Kodi Update Failed error? The best feature of Kodi is that it is not just a media center for managing and showing your media files. Also, you can install add-ons to provide you some new functionalities such as watching Twitch, watching YouTube, listening to music, and listening to podcasts via media center. You can install these add-ons through repos. These are the websites through which the installation files are hosted. As we know Kodi is open-source, anyone can create their own add-on and then share it with the Wifi, so there are lots of free add-ons that Kodi users can install.
However, these are sometimes issues while working with repositories or add-ons. Many repositories have been shut down in the last year because of legal problems, so now there are lots of old repositories that stops working. One problem is that Kodi users frequently view an “Update Failed” error message. The error means that the update for an add-on that you have installed is not installing perfectly from the repository. In this guide, we’ll tell you about why this error occurs and then explain the methods to fix Kodi “Update Failed” error.
Contents
- 1 Use VPN To Stream Kodi:
- 2 What are the causes of Updated Failed Error?
- 3 Different Ways To Fix Kodi Update Failed Error
Use VPN To Stream Kodi:
Before we are moving to resolve the update failed error on Kodi, there is an important problem of security to discuss. As you’ll view, the error occurs when users try to update an add-on that they have installed from a repo. Many repositories host add-ons that enable users to watch movies or tv shows for free, or to stream music. But this is against the law of copyright, so the repos often have to shut down due to legal threats.
The best thing to keep yourself safe while using Kodi is to install a VPN. A virtual private network (or VPN) translates your data. It can then passes it to a private proxy server, where it is decoded and then sent back to its original destination labeled with a new IP address. Using a private connection and masked IP, no one tells about your identity.
Staying safe on the Wi-Fi is like many people are getting concerned about. While ISPs tracking and selling user information, governments notice citizens and hackers searching for any weakness they can exploit. This is also an issue when it comes to streaming videos using Kodi. The software set off red flags on all industry thanks to its many third-party add-ons that source pirated content. ISPs react by monitoring Kodi user traffic and also strangling download speeds.
The best VPN can helps to keep you safe on all the above threats. VPNs also encrypt chunks of data before they leave your device. However, making it impossible for anyone to take your identity or view what you’re installing. This base level of security is amazingly powerful for a lot of tasks. It includes breaking through censorship firewalls, accessing geo-restricted content, and making your portable devices safe on public Wi-Fi.
IPVanish VPN For Kodi
IPVanish knows very well what features Kodi users want most. Speed is the first priority. Also, the service delivers fast downloads to a wide network of more than 850 servers in various countries. No matter where you live, you’ll be able to log into a low-latency server for amazing speeds. Security is also key, that IPVanish addresses by locking down all data with 256-bit AES encryption. Also, it keeps your identity secure using DNS leak security and an automatic kill switch. IPVanish can make you safe and secure!
IPVanish’s includes the best features:
- It is easy-to-use apps for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS.
- Zero-logging policy on all traffic for privacy.
- Provides full access to all of Kodi’s add-ons.
- Infinite downloads and no restrictions on speed.
IPVanish also offers a 7-day cash-back guarantee. It means you have a week to analyze it risk-free.
What are the causes of Updated Failed Error?
The “Update Failed” error occurs when Kodi wants to update one of your add-ons. The Kodi automatically updates add-ons in the background so you don’t even notice it happening. The repository URL that you used to install an add-on is saved in your PC, so when Kodi decides that it wants to check for updates to the add-on, it seems for an update in the repository at the URL that you stored. Normally, Kodi can’t find an update for your add-on, in this case, nothing happens and the update check concludes, or it will find the latest version of the add-on which will then install or download in place of the old add-on.
If you check the update failed error on your Kodi system then it means that the process of add-on updating has failed. It occurs when Kodi views that there is the latest model of your add-on in the repo, but this latest version can’t compatible with the model of the add-on that you have installed currently. It happens when a repository modifies file structure or the add-on modifies the versioning number, which confuses Kodi over whether the add-on on your PC is compatible with the update in the repository. On the other hand, the error can occur when the database of your Kodi system becomes damaged. It means that Kodi can’t perfectly link between your version of the add-on and the new one.
Different Ways To Fix Kodi Update Failed Error
When the update failed error can occur with an issue with the repo or by an issue with your Kodi database. Then this error can be a little difficult to fix. You want to try to fix both the repository and your database to check where the issues lie. Try these methods below to resolve the update failed error:
Check Which Repository Is Causing Problem
If you wnat to fix the update failed error, you want to find out which repository is causing the problem. The error message states which add-on has failed to update, then you want to check which repository is responsible for that add-on. It is because you have one repo that you use to install lots of other add-ons, or it could be that you used a repo just once to install a particular add-on. In either case, just check the repository that failed the update just to move on to fixing it.
Here’s how to check which repo is being used by an add-on that is failing. For instance, say that the Neptune Rising add-on can’t update, here is how you check the information about the responsible repository:
Step 1:
Head over to your Kodi home screen
Step 2:
Move to Add-ons from the left-hand menu
Step 3:
Move to Video add-ons from the left-hand menu (this is due to Neptune Rising is a video add-on. If you were wondering for information about a music add-on, you would then go for Music add-ons)
Step 4:
From the add-ons list, check the one you want. In our situation, it’s Neptune Rising. Now right-tap the name of the add-on and then choose the Information
Step 5:
Now you’ll then view a page of information about the add-on. Look at the bottom of the add-on icon located on the left and you’ll then view a box saying Repository:
Step 6:
Whatever written after Repository: is the repo name that this add-on was installed from. In this situation, it’s the Blamo Repo
Check Whether The Repository Is Still Enable
Now as you know which repo is causing issues, it’s time to do some research. Lots of repos have had to close or move to the latest URLs in the last year because of the big crackdown on repos that host add-ons that you can use for illegal streaming. It means that many repositories can stop working and that you probably want to modify some things to resolve them.
Check the name of the repository on google that you identified in the step above and then check if you find any latest news about the repository closing or head over to a new URL. When the repository is shut down, then you should erase it from your system. In this situation, you don’t want to get updates for your add-ons. However, the add-ons can continue working as before and you can’t view any more update failed errors.
When the repository has a new URL, you should then update your Kodi system:
Step 1:
Head over to your home screen and then move to settings
Step 2:
Move to File Manager
Step 3:
Check the repository you like to update the URL for and right tap on it, then choose Edit source
Step 4:
Then input the new URL in the text field and then tap OK
Manually Update Repository
If the repos have not been shut down and can’t move the URL but you are still receiving the update failed error. Then you must try to force the repository to update. Certainly, updates got stuck and can’t properly install, so it appears to the system when the update has been installed but actually it can’t work when add-ons try to update themselves. Forcing a manual update of the repository can resolve to fix the problem.
Come let’s check how to manually force a repository update:
Step 1:
Head over to your home screen
Step 2:
Then move to Add-ons
Step 3:
Tap on the icon that seems like an open box
Step 4:
Move to Install from zip file
Step 5:
Check the zip file for the repository. In our situation, we head over to blamo and then double-tap repository.blamo-0.1.3.zip
Step 6:
After this, the repository is updated. You’ll then view a notification saying the repository is updated after few seconds.
Step 7:
Now we like to update the add-on that is causing the issue. Move to My add-ons
Step 8:
Now head over to Video add-ons
Step 9:
Just find the add-on that was not properly updating– we’ll then use Neptune Rising once again for this example. Right-tap on it and then select the Information
Step 10:
Head over to the add-on information page, then select Update from the menu at the bottom
Step 11:
This brings up a box displaying the repos that you have available to update the add-on. Select the repository that you just updated – in this situation, it’s Version 1.3.9, Blamo Repo.
Step 12:
Now the add-on will update and you’ll then view the notification add-on updated. Now you can’t view the update failed error anymore.
Replace Or Remove The Repository
But what do you do if you find out that the repos you were using are fully closed? As it occurs recently with repositories i.e Colossus, Noobs and Nerds, Smash, Looking Glass, and more. These repositories have been completely taken down and are not available to download or install add-on updates.
When the repository you have been using is closed, you cab the erase the repository from your PC. This is because leaving old repos URLs linked to your PC can be a security risk, especially when the repository was taken down because of copyright infringement. You can also keep the add-ons that you installed from the repository installed. But you also erase the repository from your File Manager page. When you erase or delete a repository but leave the installed add-on, then the add-on will continue to work as it did before. It just can’t be able to be updated. In the short term, this shouldn’t be an issue as it will keep working. But in the long term, the absence of updates means that errors will appear in the add-on and it won’t be efficient or reliable.
Resolve Corrupted Database Files
That covers the methods to resolve the update failed error when the issue is with the repository that you are using. But you’ll then recall that the error can also occur by an issue using your Kodi database. When the database becomes damaged, it is impossible to update the add-on as there is a mismatch with what your database says. In this situation, you want to rebuild or redesign your database. Here’s how to do that:
Step 1:
Head over to your Kodi home screen
Step 2:
Move to Settings by tapping the icon that seems like a cog
Step 3:
Move to File Manager
Step 4:
Now double tap on Profile directory from the list on the left
Step 5:
Double-tap on Database
Step 5:
Check your add-ons database file. This file will be known as AddonsXX.db, with XX representing a number.
Step 6:
Now right tap on the add-ons database file and then select Delete
Step 7:
This removes your database file. You can now restart Kodi and the database file will be redesigned. This should resolve your update failed error.
Update To Latest Kodi Version
At last, if none of these methods helped, then one best method way to fix a lot of problems with Kodi is to update to the latest version. Kodi can’t automatically update itself, so if you are using Kodi for the last few years then you could be many versions behind. This can cause compatibility problems with add-ons that stop them from working perfectly.
Conclusion:
I hope that this helped you to resolve the update failed error on Kodi. Have you ever face this error, and how did you resolve it? Did you have any other method to fix this error? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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