How to Fix Kodi Unable to Connect Error (Updated October 2026)

Last Updated on September 20, 2026 by Walter

The Kodi “unable to connect” error stops you from adding a source, and it almost always comes down to a typo, a dead repository or a blocked connection. Here's how to fix it in a few minutes.

What causes the Kodi unable to connect error?

The full message reads “Couldn't retrieve directory information. This could be due to the network not being connected. Would you like to add it anyway?” It appears when you add an unofficial source to Kodi or try to install an add-on from one, and it means Kodi asked the repository for its file list and got nothing back.

There are four common reasons. Your internet connection could be down or unstable. The source URL could have a typo, a stray space or the wrong prefix. The repository itself could be offline, which is common because unofficial repos change domains when they get blocked. Or your internet provider could be blocking the address, which is where a VPN comes in. This error shows up on the Kodi Firestick setup most often, but the fixes work on any device running Kodi.

How to fix Kodi unable to connect

Work through the steps in order and stop as soon as the source installs.

1. Check your internet connection

Testing the connection takes seconds, and the error message itself points at the network first. Open a browser or another streaming app on the same device and confirm it loads. If nothing connects, restart your router and try again, because Kodi shares the same connection as every other app, and a working feed elsewhere rules out the network as the cause.

2. Check the source URL for typos

A single wrong character is enough to trigger this error, and it's the most frequent cause. Open Settings > File Manager in Kodi, highlight the broken source, and click Edit Source. Check the address against the one the add-on's official page lists, paying attention to the http or https prefix, missing dots, extra spaces and capital letters, since URLs are usually lower-case. A missing slash at the end catches a lot of people out.

3. Test the URL in a browser

If the address looks correct, open it in a browser on any device. A working repository shows an “Index of” page with a list of files and folders. If you get “This site can't be reached” or a 404, the repository has moved or shut down, and no amount of retyping will fix it. In that case search for the add-on's current URL, because most active repositories publish a new domain when the old one dies.

4. Switch to a public DNS server

Some internet providers block repositories at the DNS level, so Kodi never finds the server even when your connection is fine. Change your device's DNS to a public resolver such as Cloudflare at 1.1.1.1 or Google at 8.8.8.8, set it as the primary DNS, and retry the source. This fixes the error for a lot of people whose provider filters Kodi traffic without saying so.

5. Use a VPN to get around ISP blocks

Internet providers and some governments block the addresses that unofficial Kodi repositories sit on, and a VPN routes around that by sending your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server elsewhere. It also stops your provider from throttling Kodi streams, which is the other reason add-ons buffer or fail. Surfshark VPN is a good fit for Kodi because it's fast enough for HD streams and it runs on FireStick, Android TV and phones with one subscription.

Connect to a nearby server before you retry the source, and give it a moment to settle. If the error persists even with the VPN on, the problem is the repository itself rather than your connection.

6. Try an alternative repository or update Kodi

When a repository is genuinely gone, the only fix is to install a different one that still works. Search for a current alternative that covers the same add-ons, add it as a new source, and install from there. While you're at it, update Kodi to the latest version under Settings > System > Update, because old builds can fail to read sources that new ones handle without trouble.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Kodi say couldn't retrieve directory information?

Kodi couldn't read the file list from the source URL you entered. A typo in the address is the most common cause, followed by a repository that has gone offline.

Will a VPN fix the Kodi unable to connect error?

It fixes the error when your internet provider is blocking the repository address or throttling Kodi traffic. It won't help if the URL is wrong or the repository has shut down.

How do I check whether a Kodi source still works?

Paste the exact URL into a normal browser. A live repository shows an “Index of” page, while a dead one shows a 404 or a connection error.

Why does the same source work on my phone but not my FireStick?

The device may be using a different DNS server, or the FireStick's network settings are stale. Set a public DNS on the FireStick and reconnect to Wi-Fi.

Can I add the source anyway when Kodi warns me?

You can click Yes to continue, but Kodi still won't pull files from it, so the add-on won't install. Fix the URL or switch repositories instead.

Wrapping up

The Kodi unable to connect error is usually a typo or a dead repository, and both are quick to check. Verify the URL, test it in a browser and set a public DNS, then bring in a VPN if your internet provider is the one blocking it. Sort those four things and your sources install without the warning.