# VLC for IPTV

URL: https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/vlc-iptv-guide/

> Use VLC media player for IPTV on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone: open your M3U link, switch channels and fix common playback issues.

VLC is a free media player that opens almost anything, including IPTV playlists. It has no [TV guide](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/epg-tv-guide-explained/) and is not designed for daily channel surfing, but it is the fastest way to check a login or watch a channel on a computer.

## Open your playlist

Device | Steps | 
Windows / Linux | Media, Open Network Stream, paste [M3U link](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/m3u-playlist-explained/), Play | 
Mac | File, Open Network, paste link, Open | 
Android | Menu, Stream, paste link | 
iPhone / iPad | Network, Open Network Stream, paste link | 

Then open the playlist view to switch channels.

## Tips

- Save the playlist (Media, Save Playlist to File) so you do not paste the link every time.
- If a channel stutters, raise **Network caching** to 1500 ms in Tools, Preferences, Show all, Input/Codecs.
- Use the search box in the playlist view to find a channel by name.

## When not to use VLC

For everyday TV, a proper IPTV player with a guide and favourites is much nicer. See our [best player apps](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/best-iptv-player-apps/).

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- 25,000+ live channels
- TV guide (EPG) included
- All devices, 4K & Full HD
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## Questions and answers

**Can VLC play IPTV?**

Yes. Open your M3U link as a network stream.

**Does VLC show a TV guide?**

No. Use a dedicated IPTV player for the guide.

**How do I stop VLC buffering on IPTV?**

Increase network caching in the advanced preferences.

## More players & apps guides

- [XCIPTV player guide](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/xciptv-player-guide/)
- [Smart STB on Samsung and LG TVs](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/smart-stb-guide/)
- [TiviMate vs IPTV Smarters](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/tivimate-vs-iptv-smarters/)
- [IBO Player vs TiviMate](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/ibo-player-vs-tivimate/)
- [IPTV Smarters Lite vs Pro](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/iptv-smarters-lite-vs-pro/)

[All Players & Apps guides](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/iptv-guides/apps/) · [Every IPTV guide](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/iptv-guides/)

## Sources and official links

- [VLC media player (VideoLAN)](https://www.videolan.org/vlc/)
- [M3U playlist format (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3U)
- [XMLTV guide format (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XMLTV)

**Viking IPTV Editorial Team**

We open every provider site on our list, record what it offers and re-check the whole list regularly. [Our methodology and disclosure](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/about/).