Having Kodi issues? Want help from us? Lset us show you how to check log files in Kodi so that you can better help us assist you!
Checking log files in Kodi before you report an issue can give you a better idea of what issues you have, and you might even be able to solve them yourself.
If you aren’t aware, Kodi tracks everything you do, from opening add-ons, attempting to stream files, and every keyboard press you make. If you receive an error on the dreaded “check log for more information” error in Kodi, you should know what to do.
The log file in Kodi is saved in a system folder on your computer or Kodi box, but there are addons that make it much easier to view or upload that file without hunting for it yourself.
A log file is necessary for us to troubleshoot issues for users on social media. If you have the problem “X doesn’t work” and you want us to help you, we require a log file, or else we just can’t help you out. There are far too many factors that might be at fault, such as version of Kodi, addon being used, specific stream, dependencies, builds, and other things.
To view, find, and upload log files in Kodi, follow our guide below.
How to Enable Debug Logging in Kodi
Before Kodi records the detail you actually need, you have to turn on debug logging. There are two ways to do it:
- From the main menu, navigate to Settings > System Settings > Logging (make sure your Settings level is Standard or Expert if you don’t see this) and turn on Enable Debug Logging.
- Or press Ctrl+Shift+D on a keyboard to toggle debug mode instantly, without digging through the settings menu.
Once enabled, restart Kodi. This clears out the old log and starts a fresh one that captures your startup details (graphics drivers, add-on versions, and so on), which matters for troubleshooting. You should see small counters appear in the top-left corner of the screen after restarting. If you don’t see them, debug mode didn’t actually turn on.
Now go through the process of recreating whatever isn’t working for you in Kodi. The log only captures what happens while debug mode is on, so you need to reproduce the problem before checking or uploading anything.
How to View Your Log Files in Kodi Directly On Screen
If you just want to read your log yourself rather than upload it anywhere, there’s an addon for that too, and it’s the fastest option if you’re on a Firestick, Android TV box, or anywhere else without easy access to a text editor.
- From the main menu, go to Settings > Add-ons > Install from repository > Kodi Add-on repository.
- Select Program Add-ons > Log Viewer for Kodi > Install and wait for the add-on enabled notification.
- Go back to your home screen, scroll to your Program add-ons, and open Log Viewer for Kodi.
- Select View Log to read your current log file right on screen.
This won’t give anyone else a link to your log, so if you want us to help you troubleshoot, you’ll still need to upload it using the steps below.
How to Upload Your Kodi Log File for Support
- From the main menu, navigate to Settings > Add-ons > Install From Repository > Kodi Add-on Repository.
- Select Program Add-ons > Kodi Logfile Uploader > Install and wait for the add-on enabled notification.
- Restart Kodi.
- Go through the process of recreating whatever it is that doesn’t work for you in Kodi.
- When you are done, launch Kodi Logfile Uploader from your Program add-ons folder.
- Select Upload, and the addon will automatically upload your log to paste.kodi.tv and give you a URL and QR code you can copy down.
- Visit that paste.kodi.tv address to view your log file, or send the link to us for help.
Note: if you’ve seen older guides (including a previous version of this one) mention an ubuntu.com address, that’s outdated. The official destination is now paste.kodi.tv.
Where Are Kodi Log Files Stored? (File Locations by Device)
Prefer to find the log file yourself instead of using an addon? On a desktop operating system, you can open it directly with any text editor. Here’s where to look:
| Device / OS | Log File Path |
|---|---|
| Windows | %APPDATA%\Kodi\kodi.log |
| macOS | /Users/<username>/Library/Logs/kodi.log |
| Linux | $HOME/.kodi/temp/kodi.log |
| Android | /sdcard/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/temp/kodi.log |
| iOS / tvOS | /private/var/mobile/Library/Preferences/kodi.log |
| LibreELEC / CoreELEC | /storage/.kodi/temp/kodi.log |
If you’re on a desktop OS, open the file with any text editor, copy the contents, and paste them into paste.kodi.tv yourself using its Save button. Very large logs may need to be split into two or more pastes, since each paste holds roughly 15,000 lines or 2MB.
How Do You Read a Kodi Log File and Find Your Error?
Here are some helpful tips on how to read log files and find what you want.
- Log files show a history of the time you enabled your debug logging to the time that you uploaded your log file. To find your error, you need to reproduce it before creating your log.
- The start of the log file contains system information about Kodi, including what addons and dependencies you have installed and the version number of all of your modules. This is helpful when sending your log to another person so that they can understand your system.
- Underneath the system information is a chronological order of all mouse clicks and movements you made in Kodi. Each time you take an action, Kodi loads the next screen or window and tells you in the log how it loaded.
- If you want to quickly find your ERROR entries, open up the find window (ctrl/command + F) and search for ERROR. This will return the specific errors you ran into and take you immediately to where your issue is.
What Do Common Kodi Log Errors Mean, and How Do You Fix Them?
Finding the word ERROR in your log is only half the job. Here’s what usually causes those errors and what to actually do about each one:
- An addon throws errors after working fine before: the addon itself is usually out of date, or one of its dependencies is. Go to Add-ons > My Add-ons, open the addon, and check for an update.
- Playback errors or repeated buffering-related messages: this is often a cache or connection issue rather than the addon itself. Our Stop Buffering in Kodi guide covers the native cache settings and other fixes that clear up most of these.
- Errors that only started after a Kodi update, or that mention a missing dependency: make sure you’re actually running a current, complete version of Kodi rather than a partial or interrupted update. Our How to Update Kodi guide covers doing this safely without losing your addons.
- Errors that keep coming back no matter what you try: a corrupted install is usually the cause at that point. Clearing Kodi’s cache (Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Kodi > Clear Cache, not Clear Data) or a fresh reinstall is often faster than continuing to chase individual errors.
If none of that resolves it, send us your log files on Twitter or Facebook and we’ll help you dig further. Our Kodi Not Working guide also covers more general fixes if your issue isn’t showing up as a clear error in the log at all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kodi Log Files (FAQs)
Where do Kodi log files get uploaded to?
The Kodi Logfile Uploader addon uploads your log to paste.kodi.tv, the official Kodi paste site, and gives you a URL and QR code to share. Older guides sometimes mention an ubuntu.com address, but that’s no longer where logs go.
Do I need to reproduce my Kodi error before checking the log?
Yes. The log only captures what happens after you enable debug logging and restart Kodi, so if you don’t recreate the problem, your log won’t contain anything useful about it.
Where are Kodi log files stored on my device?
The location depends on your device. On Windows it’s %APPDATA%\Kodi\kodi.log, on macOS it’s under ~/Library/Logs/kodi.log, and on Android it’s typically under /Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/temp/kodi.log. See the full table above for other devices.
What’s the difference between Log Viewer and Kodi Logfile Uploader?
Log Viewer for Kodi lets you read your log directly on screen without uploading anything anywhere. Kodi Logfile Uploader is for when you want to share your log with someone else for help, since it uploads it to paste.kodi.tv and gives you a shareable link.
How do I clear or reset my Kodi log file?
Restarting Kodi after enabling debug logging automatically clears the old log and starts a fresh one. You don’t need to delete the log file manually in most cases, a restart handles it.
Now, if you need help from us with your Kodi issues, send us your log files on Twitter or Facebook.
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