Running into a technical hurdle? Most station issues can be resolved in a few minutes by following these standard checks. This guide covers the most common challenges faced by new and experienced broadcasters.
First Step: Always check your Server Status in the dashboard sidebar. If it shows "Offline," click Restart to refresh the services.
1. "Connection Failed" or Encoder Errors
If your software (BUTT, SAM, Mixxx) won't connect, check these three things immediately:
- Port Mismatch: This is the #1 cause of errors.
- If AutoDJ is ON, use the DJ Port and your DJ Username/Password.
- If AutoDJ is OFF, use the Source Port and your Source Password.
- Firewall Blocks: Ensure your local computer or office network is not blocking the streaming port. Try connecting from a different network (like a mobile hotspot) to test.
- Incorrect Hostname: Ensure you are using the exact server address (e.g.,
s1.casthost.net) without anyhttp://prefix.
2. Silence or "Audio Not Playing"
If the station appears "Online" but you can't hear anything:
- Check Metadata: Look at the "Now Playing" section on your dashboard. If it is blank, no audio is reaching the server.
- AutoDJ Empty: Ensure you have created a playlist, added music to it, and that the playlist is Enabled.
- Unsupported Formats: Ensure your music files are standard MP3 or AAC. Highly compressed or unusual file types may fail to play.
- Crossfade Issues: If you have a very long crossfade (e.g., 20 seconds), it may cause periods of silence. Try reducing it to 3-5 seconds in AutoDJ Settings.
3. Buffering or Stuttering Stream
If your listeners report the stream is "choppy":
- Bitrate is too high: If you are streaming at 320kbps but your upload speed is slow, the stream will stutter. Try lowering your encoder to 128kbps or 96kbps.
- Server Location: If you are located far from the server, your connection may fluctuate. Check your local internet stability.
4. Resetting Your Passwords
If you have forgotten your credentials or suspect they have been compromised:
- Navigate to Settings -> Change Password.
- Update both the Source Password and Admin Password.
- Important: You must Restart your server from the sidebar for the new passwords to take effect.
5. Analyzing the Logs
When all else fails, the Logs don't lie. Go to Settings -> Logs:
- Icecast Error Log: Look for "Authentication Failed" (password issue) or "Mount already in use" (someone else is already streaming).
- Liquidsoap Log: Look for "Access Denied" or "File Not Found" errors related to your AutoDJ playlists.
Still stuck? When opening a support ticket, please include a screenshot of your Encoder Settings and the last 10 lines of your Error Log for faster resolution.
