[Bug]: viewing a live stream doesn't work well

[zeptoShank]

Guidelines

• I have encountered this bug in the latest release of FreeTube.
• I have encountered this bug in the official downloads of FreeTube.
• I have searched the issue tracker for open and closed issues that are similar to the bug report I want to file, without success.
• I have searched the documentation for information that matches the description of the bug I want to file, without success.
• This issue contains only one bug.

Describe the bug

1. Click on any live stream
2. Stream ends a few seconds after clicking in with a loading circle

Expected Behavior

I expected to view a live stream

Issue Labels

content not loading

FreeTube Version

v0.22.0-beta

Operating System Version

Arch Linux, rolling release

Installation Method

AUR (Unofficial)

Primary API used

Local API

Last Known Working FreeTube Version (If Any)

0.21.3-beta

Additional Information

I used the AUR to install the .deb, and did not build this myself. Can't find a nightly build that seems to claim to have fixed this.

Applicable only to currently live streams, not previously live streams.

Nightly Build

• I have encountered this bug in the latest nightly build.

[absidue]

Can you please try an official FreeTube build, the AUR ones are all unofficial.

[zeptoShank]

Please explain: which one? I'm just using the .deb binary provided by this repository (made the pkgbuild myself, based on the AUR freetube-bin one).

important: I tried Flathub and it worked better, meaning it played the stream longer. However, still stopped and showed a loading circle.

[akanealw]

I have the same issue on Windows 10 x64. The live stream will play for a second or two then show the loading circle, then play a second or two, loading circle, repeat.

[ICWu1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg13S-zzol0
Similar issue occur with low bitrate but auto

[angelfire76]

+1 It starts buffering after a few seconds and the "Live" text at the left bottom turns into digits and counts backwardly. However I didn't encounter any issues on videos.

Windows 11 Pro
FreeTube v0.22.0 Beta
Local API

[absidue]

@angelfire76 @ICWu1 @akanealw Are you using the local API or the Invidious API? Additionally if you are using the Invidious API do you have the Proxy Videos Through Invidious setting turned on?

[angelfire76]

@angelfire76 Are you using the local API or the Invidious API? Additionally if you are using the Invidious API do you have the Proxy Videos Through Invidious setting turned on?

Using this instance: https://invidious.jing.rocks
Yep, enabled proxy now and still says Invidious API error: This content isn't available.
And falls back to Local API.

[absidue]

@angelfire76 Could you please try using the local API too and see if it works there?

[angelfire76]

@angelfire76 Could you please try using the local API too and see if it works there?

Already using it, mate. It doesn't work with Invidious API anyway. Is there any working instance so I can try that too?

[absidue]

Ah okay, annoyingly live streams are working fine for me with local API so that's going to make it more difficult to investigate.
While using the local API could you please open the devtools with CTRL+SHIFT+I and check in the Console tab if there are any red messages, ideally ones starting with "Player error"?

[angelfire76]

Wow. It just started saying "[Unplayable] Please sign in" with Local API but now fixed after opened a new window.

Ah okay, annoyingly live streams are working fine for me with local API so that's going to make it more difficult to investigate. While using the local API could you please open the devtools with CTRL+SHIFT+I and check in the Console tab if there are any red messages, ideally ones starting with "Player error"?

Here is what it looks like. "Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 ()"
https://youtu.be/RNVNlJSUFoE

[ICWu1]

Local API used.
Only few live can reproduce with low bitrate selected, like GB News Live : https://youtu.be/8WX6YL9JnLw
No error message found in console, just some warning about cookie.

[alfres85]

+1, No errors in console, only warnings.
When switching to Invidious API i get tihs error Error: Could not extract JSON. Youtube API returned error 400 with message:<br>"Request contains an invalid argument."
Seems to happen with some live videos not all of them, here is an example of a live stream not working: https://youtu.be/dsGC6RKka34
Was working before updating to v0.22.0 Beta (Cant remember previous version)
Windows 11 Pro
FreeTube v0.22.0 Beta
Local API

[zeptoShank]

bundle-1730205419176.log

Log taken just now, while viewing a live stream. The stream switches between loading and playing this time. Hope it helps!

While writing the bug, instance was "invidious jing rocks", but now it's "inv nadeko net". Only ever used the Local API.

[absidue]

Okay so I've managed to reproduce the problem with the Invidious API (local API still works fine for me) and I've found the issue I just don't know why it is happening and how to solve it yet.

Technical details for those interested (ignore if you don't know what it means):

In dev mode with the debug build of shaka-player and shaka-player's logging set to the maximum, this shows up and then it loops the messages just with different numbers. So it looks like something goes wrong, it tries to correct by clearing the buffer and seeking and then fails to load more content after that. In the network tab the requests for the media playlists still happen but it stops requesting the TS segments.

[absidue]

I've found a fix that works for the Invidious API, as I can't reproduce the issue myself on the local API could someone please test this build (0.22.0 + potential fix) and see if it fixes the problem for them?
Build: https://github.com/absidue/FreeTube/actions/runs/11579441606
Code changes: v0.22.0-beta...absidue:fix-live-playback-0.22.0

[alfres85]

I've found a fix that works for the Invidious API, as I can't reproduce the issue myself on the local API could someone please test this build (0.22.0 + potential fix) and see if it fixes the problem for them? Build: https://github.com/absidue/FreeTube/actions/runs/11579441606 Code changes: v0.22.0-beta...absidue:fix-live-playback-0.22.0

This fixed the issue for me ! Thanks a lot !

[absidue]

Thank you for testing it and great to hear that it fixes the problem for the local API too!

[zeptoShank]

Yeah, the AppImage works flawlessly. Thanks!

[angelfire76]

Thank you for your efforts, @absidue. Works for me too.

[akanealw]

I'm using local api through an https proxy on a vpn and this latest build seems to have fixed it for me too.

Thanks!

[ICWu1]

Seems good, thanks.

[I4son]

Hi, any chance this will be in the main branch soon?

[angelfire76]

@absidue It looks like this problem is back with the latest update (v0.22.1-beta). Live broadcasts started buffering again. :(

[absidue]

@angelfire76 A quick look at the 0.22.1 changelog, tells you all you need to know, it only includes a single emergency fix and it is not this one. You downgraded from the nightlies to 0.22.1, which is why it "came back" for you. Please check the changelogs yourself next time.