Kodi Activity Log: How to View & Clear It

Kodi’s activity log is a text file that records the program’s runtime events, errors, and warnings, and you can view it from within Kodi or by opening the file directly. This article explains where the log lives, how to read it, how to turn on debug logging, and how to clear it.

What the Kodi Activity Log Actually Records

The Kodi log (usually named kodi.log or kodi.old.log) is a plain-text file that captures everything Kodi does while it runs. It includes startup messages, skin loading, add-on activity, playback information, and any errors or warnings that occur. It does not record your viewing history or any personal data; it is a technical diagnostic tool, not a usage tracker.

Common entries include:

• Add-on loading and errors
• Database and library scans
• Network and streaming failures
• Skin and GUI initialization
• System resource warnings (e.g., low memory)

If something goes wrong—a video won’t play, an add-on crashes, or the interface freezes—the log is the first place to look for clues.

Where to Find the Log File on Each Platform

The location of the log depends on your operating system. By default, Kodi writes the log to a folder that varies by platform:

• Windows: %APPDATA%\Kodi\kodi.log (usually C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\Kodi\kodi.log)
• macOS: /Users/[YourName]/Library/Application Support/Kodi/kodi.log
• Linux: ~/.kodi/kodi.log (or $HOME/.kodi/kodi.log)
• Android: Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/kodi.log (often requires a file manager with access to the Android data folder)
• iOS/tvOS: /var/mobile/Library/Preferences/Kodi/kodi.log (accessible via a file manager or SSH)
• LibreELEC/OpenELEC: /storage/.kodi/kodi.log

If you’re unsure, you can find the exact path from within Kodi: go to Settings → System → Logging and enable Show log file or use the Log file path shown there (if available).

How to View the Log Inside Kodi

Kodi has a built-in log viewer that lets you read the log without leaving the app. To open it:

1. Go to the main menu and select Settings (the gear icon).
2. Choose System.
3. Scroll to Logging.
4. Click Show log file (or Open log).

This opens a scrollable text viewer. You can also enable Debug logging from the same menu to capture more detailed information, which is essential when troubleshooting. Debug logging writes extra lines to the log, including function calls and data transfers, making it easier to pinpoint issues.

To copy the log to a USB drive or network location, you can use the Export log file button (if present) or simply copy the file from the path shown above.

How to Read and Interpret the Log

The log is plain text, but it can be overwhelming. Here are the key things to look for:

• Errors are lines that start with ERROR:—these are serious problems.
• Warnings start with WARNING:—these are non-fatal but worth checking.
• NOTICE: lines are informational and often show what Kodi is doing at startup.
• Lines with DEBUG: only appear when debug logging is enabled.

For example, a line like ERROR: Unable to resolve host: example.com indicates a network issue. A line like WARNING: Read error: file:///path/to/movie.mkv suggests a file access problem.

If you’re asking for help on a forum, you’ll often be asked to provide the log. You can upload it to a pastebin service and share the link—but be aware that the log may contain file paths and add-on names that you might not want to share publicly.

How to Clear or Reset the Log

Kodi doesn’t have a “clear log” button, but you can delete the log file manually while Kodi is not running. When Kodi starts again, it creates a fresh log. The old log is renamed to kodi.old.log on the next start, so you can delete both files to start completely clean.

To clear the log:

1. Exit Kodi completely.
2. Navigate to the log folder as described above.
3. Delete kodi.log and kodi.old.log (if present).
4. Restart Kodi.

Alternatively, you can overwrite the log by opening it in a text editor and clearing the contents, but deleting is simpler and safer.

Note that the log is written continuously while Kodi runs, so you cannot delete it while Kodi is active—it will be locked on some systems.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the log is a security risk because it might contain passwords or personal information. In reality, Kodi does not log passwords, but it may log URLs that contain API keys or tokens if an add-on includes them in a request. Always review the log before sharing it publicly.

Another issue is that the log can grow very large over time, especially with debug logging enabled. This can slow down Kodi and fill up disk space. If you notice performance issues, check the log size and clear it regularly.

Some users think that clearing the log will fix errors—it won’t. It only removes the record; the underlying issue will still occur. Use the log to diagnose, not as a fix.

Comparing the Log to Other Diagnostic Tools

Kodi also has a Crash Log (on some platforms) that records information when Kodi crashes. The crash log is separate and usually located in the same folder as kodi.log. It contains a stack trace that developers use to identify bugs.

There’s also the Kodi Debug Log, which is the same as the normal log but with DEBUG: lines included. You enable it in Settings → System → Logging → Enable debug logging. It’s the most useful for troubleshooting because it shows detailed operations.

Finally, some add-ons have their own logs. For example, the PVR (live TV) add-ons may write to pvr.log or similar. These are usually in the same folder as the main log.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I enable debug logging in Kodi?
Go to Settings → System → Logging, then toggle Enable debug logging. You can also set it to show the log on screen while debugging.

Q: Can I view the log on my phone or tablet?
Yes, if you’re using Kodi on Android, you can use a file manager that can access the Android data folder, or you can use the built-in log viewer inside Kodi. On iOS, you may need to access the device via a computer or use an app like Filza.

Q: Why is my log file so large?
Debug logging or a long-running Kodi session can make the log grow. Also, repeated errors can spam the log. Delete the log or disable debug logging to keep it smaller.

Q: Does the log contain my viewing history?
No, the log does not record which videos you watched. It only records technical events like playback starts and stops, but not titles or timestamps of your viewing.

Q: How do I share my log for help?
Use a pastebin service (like pastebin.com) and copy the entire log content into it. Then share the link. Before sharing, check for any sensitive URLs or tokens and remove them.

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