IPTV TV Guide (EPG) Not Working? How to Fix Missing or Wrong Times
Fix an empty, outdated or wrongly timed IPTV TV guide: how EPG data works, adding an XMLTV link, and time offsets for the USA, UK and Germany.
By XCodes IPTV 4K Editorial TeamUpdated 4 min read
The TV guide — usually called the EPG (electronic programme guide) — is what turns a list of channels into something that feels like normal TV. When it's empty, out of date or an hour wrong, IPTV becomes frustrating fast. This guide explains how the guide works and how to fix each kind of problem.
How the IPTV guide works
The guide is separate from the video streams. Your provider (or a third party) publishes guide data, usually in a format called XMLTV. Your player app downloads that data and matches each guide entry to a channel using an ID.
That gives three places where things can go wrong:
- The guide data isn't loaded — the app doesn't know where to get it.
- The data is loaded but doesn't match — channel IDs don't line up, so some channels show "No information".
- The data matches but the times are wrong — a time-zone or offset problem.
Problem 1: The guide is completely empty
If you use an Xtream Codes login
Most apps fetch the guide automatically with an Xtream Codes login. If it's empty:
- Look in the app's EPG or TV guide settings and check whether a source is listed.
- Use Update EPG or Refresh guide and wait a few minutes — large guides take time to download.
- Restart the app.
- Check whether the guide is a paid feature in your player app — some free versions don't show it.
If you use an M3U link
M3U playlists sometimes include the guide address in their header, but often they don't. You may need to add an EPG URL (also called an XMLTV URL) separately:
- Ask your provider for the EPG URL for your account.
- In your player, open Settings → EPG → Add EPG source (wording varies).
- Paste the URL and update.
This is one of the main reasons we recommend Xtream Codes over M3U — see M3U vs Xtream Codes.
Problem 2: Some channels have a guide, others don't
This means the guide data loaded but certain channels' IDs don't match. You can:
- Update the playlist and the guide — the provider may have fixed the mapping.
- Manually assign guide data — many players let you long-press a channel and choose which guide entry it should use.
- Report it — tell support which channels are missing guide data so they can check the mapping.
Problem 3: The times are wrong
Check your device's time zone first
The app usually uses the device's clock. Make sure the device time zone is correct:
- Fire TV: Settings → Preferences → Time Zone
- Android TV / Google TV: Settings → System → Date & time
- Apple TV: Settings → General → Date and Time
- Samsung / LG: in the TV's General / System settings under Time
Then adjust the EPG offset in the app
If the device clock is right but the guide is still shifted, use the app's EPG time shift or offset setting. Shift by whole hours until programmes line up.
Time zones to know
| Region | Time zone | Summer time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | GMT (UTC+0) | BST (UTC+1), late March – late October |
| Germany | CET (UTC+1) | CEST (UTC+2), late March – late October |
| US East | Eastern (UTC−5) | EDT (UTC−4), mid-March – early November |
| US Central | Central (UTC−6) | CDT (UTC−5) |
| US Mountain | Mountain (UTC−7) | MDT (UTC−6); most of Arizona doesn't change |
| US West | Pacific (UTC−8) | PDT (UTC−7) |
Because Europe and the US change their clocks on different dates, there are a couple of weeks each spring and autumn when the gap between them is unusual. If your guide is suddenly an hour out around those dates, that's usually why — and it corrects itself.
Problem 4: The guide stops after a day or two
Guide data covers a fixed number of days. If the guide only shows today, set the app to update the EPG automatically (once a day is enough) and check how many days of guide data your app is set to keep.
Frequently asked questions
What does EPG stand for?
EPG means electronic programme guide (electronic program guide in US English). It's the on-screen schedule showing what's on now and next.
What is an XMLTV link?
XMLTV is the most common file format for TV guide data. An XMLTV or EPG link is a web address your player downloads the guide from.
Why does my guide say "No information" on every channel?
Either no guide source is loaded, or the app hasn't finished downloading it. Update the EPG, wait a few minutes and restart the app.
Can I use a guide from a different source?
Some players let you add any XMLTV source, but the channel IDs must match your playlist. Using your provider's own guide is usually far more reliable.