Archive:Linux FAQ

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▶ Linux FAQ
Emblem-important-yellow.png NOTICE:
The Linux FAQ is going though a major overhaul and some things might be missing. For a copy of the old version see here.

Template:Kodi FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions for Kodi running under Linux-based operating systems.


General FAQ

See also: All platforms FAQ for FAQs that apply to all versions of Kodi.

Supported Linux distributions

  • Team Kodi provides precompiled binaries for Ubuntu from the Team Kodi PPA. In the future there will also be precompiled binaries for Debian and Steam OS.
  • Team Kodi recognizes LibreELEC versions of Kodi as "pretty damn awesome".
  • Generally speaking, as long as Kodi is compiled per recommended guidelines (see HOW-TO:Compile Kodi for Linux), those builds are considered "kosher".
  • Kodi builds that use external ffmpeg/libav are not supported and are strongly discouraged.

Supported hardware

For x86 hardware:

How to install or update Kodi for Linux

Ubuntu

Team Kodi PPA


For other supported distros, see HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

Kodi for Linux version

The current stable version of Kodi for Linux is Kodi v20.5 Nexus. This is the same code that all of the other platforms (Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, etc) are using.

What version/nightly build/beta of Kodi am I running?

Kodi main menu > System > Lower submenu > System info. Note the build date.

Programs and tools to help with Kodi

For a list of programs and tools to help with Kodi, such as renaming files, managing media, file sharing, and more, see Supplemental tools/Linux

How to autostart Kodi in desktop mode

A)

sudo sed -i "1i @kodi" /etc/xdg/lxsession/LXDE-pi/autostart

or B)

mkdir -p ~/.config/autostart
ln -s /usr/bin/kodi ~/.config/autostart

Source of this information is HOW TO: Autostart Kodi for Linux

What are the differences between Ubuntu + Kodi and LibreELEC?

  • Ubuntu + Kodi: This setup will give you the full Unity desktop environment that has enough software installed to be a general computing solution.
  • LibreELEC: An appliance distribution. Getting software other than what is provided in the basic distribution will be a little difficult, but not impossible.

Troubleshooting

Getting more help with Kodi for Linux

Userdata folder and logs

Editor note: this needs filling out

Audio issues

For most audio issues, including configuration examples, see Audio and Audio troubleshooting.

Video tearing on Nvidia GPUs

When Kodi is used with Nvidia hardware, tearing will occur when the X composite extension is used.
  • Solution 1: Enable "Unredirect Fullscreen Window" in Compiz Config Settings Manager. [1]
    1. Install CCSM (Compiz Config Settings Manager): sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager
    2. Open Compiz Config Settings Manager
    3. Check the option "Unredirect Fullscreen Window", which should be under the "Composite" section.


  • Solution 2: Disable the composite extension.
1. Add this to the end of /etc/X11/xorg.conf: (make a new file if xorg.conf doesn't exist)
Section "Extensions"
  Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection
2. Then log in with a gnome classic session (without the composite extension compiz doesn't work).
3. Also make sure to set Vertical blank sync to Always enabled in Kodi.


Why can't I update Kodi on Ubuntu 13.04, 13.10, or other release?

The precompiled binaries from the Team Kodi PPA only work with Ubuntu releases that are still getting support. When Ubuntu drops support for a version then our PPA stops making a binary for it. Simply update Ubuntu itself and then Kodi updates should work again. If you don't want to update Ubuntu that often then we recommend using a long term support (LTS) version of Ubuntu, such as 14.04, which will be supported until 2019.