Almost every broadcaster hits a snag at some point. The good news is that nearly all of them come down to a short list of causes. Work through these in order.
You cannot connect to the server
Connection failures are almost always a typo. Open your control panel and compare each detail against what you entered in your broadcasting software:
- the server address (host name or IP)
- the port number
- the password (copy and paste it rather than typing)
- the mount point or stream name, if your software asks for one
- the username field. Some programs expect one, others leave it empty, so follow the exact instructions for your software.
Each of our setup guides lists the fields in order: Winamp, Mixxx and BUTT. Also check that your computer’s firewall is not blocking the program.
It connects, but nobody can hear anything
- Check that your software is actually sending audio and that its meters are moving.
- Make sure the right input is selected: the microphone, mixer or music player you intend.
- Check the player or radio page. Refresh it, and try a different device.
- Confirm the stream is live in your control panel.
The audio is choppy or keeps dropping
This is usually your connection rather than the server. Close anything that is using your upload bandwidth, such as video calls, cloud backups and other streams. Move to a wired connection if you can, and consider lowering the bitrate you send. Our article on bitrate and stream quality explains the trade-off.
The volume is too quiet, too loud or distorted
Distortion in a broadcast is almost always levels set too high before the encoder. Aim for your meters to peak comfortably below the maximum, bring microphone and music to similar loudness, and keep your music files at a consistent volume. If voices sound muddy, try a different microphone position before you reach for effects.
The stream switches back to AutoDJ unexpectedly
If your live connection drops, even briefly, the AutoDJ may take over. That is the system doing its job, since it avoids dead air. Reconnect when your connection is stable, and look at the cause of the drop.
Your music or schedule is not playing as expected
Check that the files uploaded completely, that they are in the playlist or category you scheduled, and that the schedule uses the correct time zone. Review the AutoDJ guide if anything looks different from what you set up.
Listeners report buffering
If many people report the same issue at once, it is worth looking at the server side. If it is just one person, ask for their device and connection type, because their Wi-Fi is the likelier cause.
Test on a phone
Before any big broadcast, listen on a phone over mobile data. It shows you what listeners actually experience, which is often not what you hear in your own studio.
When to ask for help
If you have been through the list and it still will not work, tell us what you tried and what you see. Our helpdesk typically replies within a few hours on weekdays (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM UK time), and screenshots of your settings help us solve it faster.