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How to troubleshoot video and content update issues

Guide to troubleshoot why your player is not playing the correct content, or not playing in the way you expect

Dan Haddock avatar
Written by Dan Haddock
Updated this week

Experiencing video playback errors or content that won’t update? Most problems can be resolved with a few quick checks. Follow this guide to diagnose and fix common issues with your Signagelive players.

Core Troubleshooting Steps

Start with the basics before diving deeper. A simple reboot of the media player device can often resolve temporary glitches by restarting the Signagelive application and its connection.

1. Verify Player Connectivity

  • Navigate to Network > Manage, click on your player, and select the Connectivity tab. Confirm that the 'Last content check' timestamp is recent and aligns with your player's configured Content Check Interval setting. If the player has missed checks, it likely indicates that the device has fallen offline or is experiencing a network problem.

2. Check the Server Queue

  • Go to Reports > Queues. If your player is listed here, our servers are still processing your latest changes. This is normal; please allow a few more minutes. If the queue is empty, the issue is local to the player.

3. Match Content and Player Resolutions

A resolution mismatch is a common cause of black screens.

  • Ensure the resolution of your uploaded content (e.g., 1920x1080) matches the player's output resolution. A player configured for 1080p output will likely fail to display a 4K (3840x2160) video.

4. Investigate Network and Content Files

If the player is checking in but not updating, investigate the local environment first:

  • Network: Confirm the player has an active internet connection. Check that your local network firewall isn't blocking access to Signagelive services.

  • Content: If only a specific video fails, the file itself or its surrounding files may be the problem. The file is likely corrupt or not a supported format for your player type. For best results, use H.264 encoded MP4 video files.

How to contact support

If you've tried these steps and the issue continues, our support team is ready to help you. For the fastest resolution, please have the following information ready:

  • Signagelive Serial Number

  • A clear description of the issue you are facing - What is the problem, Where it is being seen, When did this first happen?

  • Name of the impacted asset, playlist or layout

  • Grant support access to your network using this guide

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