Most station problems come down to one of three things: the server isn't running, your encoder credentials don't match, or your AutoDJ has nothing to play. Work through the checks below in order and you'll clear the majority of issues without needing to open a ticket.
If something still isn't right after these steps, open a ticket from the dashboard menu (top-right hamburger → Support Center) and tell us what you tried. That gets you a faster answer.
Start here: is your server online?
The fastest check is the Server Status panel at the top of the dashboard. A green dot means Online; a grey dot means Offline.
- If it shows Offline, click Start Server. Give it a few seconds to come up.
- If it's already online but acting up, click Restart Server to clear a stuck stream.
- The Dashboard home page also shows this. If you see "Station Offline" or "Nothing Playing" with a Start Server button, your stream isn't broadcasting yet.
The Start / Stop / Restart Server controls live in the same Server Status panel, so you never need to touch anything outside the dashboard to bring your station up.
1. Connection errors (your encoder won't connect)
If your broadcasting software can't connect to the stream, almost always the connection details don't match. Open DJ → Encoders and confirm every value below is entered into your encoder exactly as shown:
- Server Host:
stream.casthost.net - DJ Encoder Port: the port shown on your Encoders page
- Mount / Stream ID: usually
/ - Source Username:
source - Source Password: copy it straight from the page (use the copy button so you don't mistype it)
Other things to check:
- Match the Server Type. Your encoder must be set to the Server Type shown on your Encoders page. If it's set to the wrong type, the connection will fail even with correct credentials.
- Use the copy buttons. Every field on the Encoders and Dashboard pages has a copy button. Typing the password by hand is the single most common cause of a failed connection.
- Check your local network. A workplace, school, or some home networks block outbound streaming ports. If the connection times out, try a different network (a phone hotspot is a quick test) to rule this out.
- Reset the password if in doubt. Go to Settings → Change Password to set a new Source Password (minimum 6 characters), then update it in your encoder.
- Try a different encoder. If one piece of software won't connect, test with another. We include built-in setup guides for BUTT, Mixxx, and SAM Broadcaster on the Encoders page, each with the correct settings pre-filled.
You can also broadcast straight from your browser with the Web Encoder (WebDJ) under DJ → Web Encoder. There's no software to install, and it's a handy way to confirm the server itself is accepting connections.
2. Audio not playing (the stream is silent)
If listeners hear nothing, or your player won't start:
- Check Now Playing. On the Dashboard, an empty "Now Playing" or "Nothing Playing" means no audio is reaching the server. If you're streaming live, your encoder has disconnected, so reconnect it (see section 1). If you're not live, AutoDJ should be filling the gap (see below).
- Make sure AutoDJ has something to play. Go to DJ → Auto DJ. Under Playlists, confirm at least one playlist is enabled and has tracks in it. An empty or disabled playlist means silence when you're not broadcasting live.
- Confirm AutoDJ is on. The Station Details card on the Dashboard shows an AutoDJ: On/Off badge. Turn it on under DJ → Auto DJ → Settings if you want automatic playback between live shows.
- Upload supported formats. Stick to standard MP3 or AAC files for the best compatibility. Upload media under DJ → Auto DJ → Files.
- Test with the built-in player. Use the listen links on the Dashboard (or your Custom Web Player) to confirm whether the problem is the stream itself or your player setup.
3. Listeners can't tune in
If your stream is online but listeners report problems connecting:
- Share the right link. Use the Public Stream Links on the Dashboard, or the PLS Playlist / M3U Playlist download buttons, which open the stream in most media players.
- Embed the player on your site. The Stream Details & Player and Custom Web Player widgets (under Widgets) give you an HTML5 player you can paste into any website, which works for listeners who can't open raw stream links.
- Check your listener limit. The listener count in the top bar shows "current / maximum". If you've hit your plan's maximum, new listeners can't connect until a slot frees up or you upgrade your plan.
4. Storage is full / uploads failing
If media uploads fail, you may have hit your storage limit. Click the storage chip in the top bar to see a breakdown of what's using space (radio media, store files, social media, website builder). Delete unused files under DJ → Auto DJ → Files, or upgrade your plan for more room.
5. Reading your logs (advanced)
If you're in Advanced Mode and want to dig deeper, open Settings → Logs. From there you can view the Streaming Log, Access Log, and Error Log, or use Download Logs to save them. These show connection attempts and errors, and they're useful when you contact support. Attaching a downloaded log to your ticket helps us pinpoint the issue quickly.
Still stuck?
If you've worked through the above and your station still isn't behaving, open a ticket via the dashboard menu (Support Center) and include: what you were doing, what you expected, and what happened instead. Attaching a downloaded log helps. We'll take it from there.
