Why is my IPTV EPG not showing?

Usually one of three reasons: the EPG data is still downloading after a fresh setup, you loaded a plain M3U without adding a separate XMLTV/EPG URL, or the app's cache is stale. Wait a minute and refresh the EPG first; if it's an M3U profile, add the EPG URL your provider supplies.

How do I add an EPG URL to my IPTV app?

In TiviMate, go to Settings → EPG → EPG sources and paste the XMLTV URL. In IPTV Smarters, add it in the profile's EPG field. With an Xtream Codes login, the guide usually loads automatically and no URL is needed.

Why are the EPG times wrong or shifted?

That's a timezone offset. Set the EPG time offset in your app's guide settings to match your region, and the programmes will line up with what's actually airing.

Why do only some channels have a guide?

Those channels' IDs don't match the EPG data, or the provider's guide simply doesn't cover them. Enable auto ID-matching if your app offers it. No EPG feed covers every channel, so some gaps are normal.

Do I need an EPG for IPTV to work?

No. Channels play without a guide — the EPG is just the on-screen schedule. If you only want live viewing you can ignore it, but a working guide makes it much easier to see what's on and when.

The guide is blank in every app — is it my fault?

Probably not. If the same login shows no guide in TiviMate, IPTV Smarters, and a portal, the provider's EPG source is the likely cause. Confirm channels still play, then check with your provider.

IPTV Troubleshooting

IPTV EPG not showing: how to fix the guide.

A blank TV guide is one of the most common IPTV annoyances — and one of the easiest to fix. The EPG is a separate feed from your channels, so it can fail on its own even when everything plays fine. This guide covers why the guide goes missing, how to reload it in TiviMate, IPTV Smarters, and on a MAG portal, and the timezone fix almost everyone needs at some point.

The short answer: on a fresh setup, wait a minute and refresh the EPG. If you loaded a plain M3U, add the separate XMLTV/EPG URL your provider supplies. If the times are shifted, set the timezone offset.

8 min read · Published 2026-07-14

First, understand what the EPG is.

Two facts explain almost every blank-guide situation.

The EPG is separate from your channels: The channel list and the TV guide (EPG) are two different feeds. Your channels come from the playlist or Xtream login; the guide comes from a separate XMLTV data source. That's why channels can play perfectly while the guide stays blank — one loaded, the other didn't.
It often just needs time on first load: EPG data is large. On a fresh install, most apps pull the channel list first and the guide a minute or two later. A blank guide right after setup is frequently nothing more than data still downloading in the background.

New to how logins carry data? The M3U playlist guide and the Xtream Codes guide explain why one login type auto-loads the guide and the other often needs a separate URL.

Common causes at a glance.

Match your symptom, then jump to the detailed fix below.

Symptom	Likely cause	Quick fix
Guide blank right after setup	EPG still downloading in the background	Wait a minute, then refresh the EPG
Guide empty on an M3U playlist	No separate EPG/XMLTV URL added	Add the XMLTV URL in EPG settings
Times are wrong / shifted by hours	Timezone offset misconfigured	Set the correct EPG time offset
Some channels have guide, others don't	Channel IDs don't match the EPG	Auto-match or leave as provider sends
Guide was there, now gone	Cache or a stale EPG source	Clear cache; force an EPG refresh

Fixing the EPG in each app.

The steps differ slightly by app. Find yours.

TiviMate: TiviMate pulls the EPG automatically from an Xtream login. If you added a plain M3U, open Settings → EPG → EPG sources and add the XMLTV URL, then use 'Update EPG now'. Set the time offset here too. TiviMate guide.
IPTV Smarters Pro: With Xtream Codes, the guide loads with the channels. With an M3U profile, add the EPG (XMLTV) URL in the profile's EPG field. If it's blank, remove and re-add the profile so it re-downloads. IPTV Smarters guide.
MAG box / portal: On a portal (Stalker/Ministra) the EPG is built in and loads with the portal. If it's missing, reboot the box once so it re-contacts the portal. A plain M3U on a MAG usually won't carry a guide. Best IPTV for MAG box.

The fixes, in detail.

Work through the one that matches your symptom.

The guide is blank right after I set it up: Give it one to two minutes, then trigger an EPG refresh in the app's settings. First-load EPG data is large and downloads after the channel list. Fix EPG not showing.
I used an M3U link and there's no guide at all: A plain M3U playlist carries channels, not guide data. Add the separate EPG (XMLTV) URL from your provider in the app's EPG settings, then refresh. M3U playlist guide.
The programme times are shifted by a few hours: That's a timezone offset. In the app's EPG settings, set the time offset to match your region so the guide lines up with what's actually airing. EPG timezone fix.
Some channels show a guide but others are empty: The empty channels' IDs don't match the EPG data. Turn on the app's auto-match/ID-matching option if it has one; otherwise the gaps are simply channels the provider's EPG doesn't cover. Fix EPG not showing.
The guide worked before and now it's gone: Clear the app's cache in your device settings, then force an EPG refresh. If it still fails, the provider's EPG source may be temporarily down — check other channels and try again later. Xtream Codes guide.

When it's the provider, not your settings.

Sometimes the guide is out of your hands. These signs point upstream.

Channels play but no app shows a guide: If TiviMate, Smarters, and a portal all come up blank with the same login, the provider's EPG feed is the likely cause — not your app or settings.
The guide is patchy across the board: No provider's EPG covers every channel. Gaps on obscure or regional channels are normal; a good service covers the mainstream ones cleanly.

A dependable guide is part of what separates a solid service from a flaky one — so it's worth checking during a free trial rather than after you've paid.

Where OTTV fits — honestly.

Xtream Codes logins load the guide automatically; M3U users get the separate EPG URL to add in their app.
Responsive support if the guide is blank across every app, which usually points to an EPG source rather than your settings.
24-hour free trial before you pay, and a 14-day refund window on paid plans.
No EPG feed covers every channel — guide coverage on niche or regional channels varies by package and region.

These fixes work with any reputable provider. If OTTV fits, you can compare OTTV plans before committing.

Frequently asked

Why is my IPTV EPG not showing?: Usually one of three reasons: the EPG data is still downloading after a fresh setup, you loaded a plain M3U without adding a separate XMLTV/EPG URL, or the app's cache is stale. Wait a minute and refresh the EPG first; if it's an M3U profile, add the EPG URL your provider supplies.
How do I add an EPG URL to my IPTV app?: In TiviMate, go to Settings → EPG → EPG sources and paste the XMLTV URL. In IPTV Smarters, add it in the profile's EPG field. With an Xtream Codes login, the guide usually loads automatically and no URL is needed.
Why are the EPG times wrong or shifted?: That's a timezone offset. Set the EPG time offset in your app's guide settings to match your region, and the programmes will line up with what's actually airing.
Why do only some channels have a guide?: Those channels' IDs don't match the EPG data, or the provider's guide simply doesn't cover them. Enable auto ID-matching if your app offers it. No EPG feed covers every channel, so some gaps are normal.
Do I need an EPG for IPTV to work?: No. Channels play without a guide — the EPG is just the on-screen schedule. If you only want live viewing you can ignore it, but a working guide makes it much easier to see what's on and when.
The guide is blank in every app — is it my fault?: Probably not. If the same login shows no guide in TiviMate, IPTV Smarters, and a portal, the provider's EPG source is the likely cause. Confirm channels still play, then check with your provider.

Where to go next

Try the real IPTV service before you pay.

Start a 24-hour trial on your own device with live TV, sports, VOD and EPG on your package. If it holds up on your connection and your screen, pick a plan. If not, walk away — no card, no auto-renewal.

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