How to Fix 'Failed to Install a Dependency' Error on Kodi in 2024

Addons have to be one of the best features Kodi has in its toolkit. Addons fetch streaming links from multiple host servers and let you stream your favorite movies, TV serials, and dramas online. Without them, Kodi might not be as popular as it currently is.

One thing most people don’t know about these addons is that they don’t function on their own. Instead, they rely on what users call ‘dependencies’. As a result, when these dependencies fail to install, you’ll get the error ‘failed to install a dependency’.

When this error shows up on the screen, it means that the addon has failed to install. This, in turn, means you can’t enjoy the perks that particular addon has to offer. That’s why we’ve come up with this step-by-step guide to help you fix this error.

There are multiple reasons why this error might have popped up on your screen. All of them cannot be resolved with a single solution. That’s why we’re going to provide you with multiple solutions. Apply all of them one by one, and we’re confident you’d be able to fix this error.

Let’s explore all the solutions:

The cache is a short-term memory for an app. It stores the frequently used information and helps you navigate faster when using the app. Clearing Kodi’s cache will free up this temporary memory and boost the media player’s speed. Hopefully, it will also fix the ‘Failed to install a Dependency’ error.

Follow these steps to clear Kodi’s cache:

• Open Firestick Settings.

• Click on Applications.
• Select Manage Installed Applications

• Scroll down and find Kodi.

• Open Kodi, and scroll down.
• Select Clear Cache.

To clear the cache in Kodi, you will require a tool called Ares Wizard. If Ares Wizard isn’t already installed, you can easily install it in 4-5 minutes. Keep in mind that Ares Wizard is a third-party addon. You cannot download it. Instead, you’d have to sideload it. 

After installing Ares Wizard, follow these steps to clear Kodi’s cache:

1. Launch Ares Wizard. Ares Wizard can be found in Program addons under the addons category on Kodi’s home screen. 
2. On the wizard’s home screen, you will see the Maintenance tab. This tab can be found at the top.
3. On the right side, you will see the Cache section. Click on ‘Delete Cache/Temp‘ to clear the cache.
4. The following prompt will appear when you’ve cleared the cache; click on OK to proceed.

Clearing cache often will optimize the Kodi app. When you use Kodi for a long time and have many addons, the size of the cache will continue to grow, slowing down the app. Therefore, it’s recommended that you clear your Kodi app’s cache every once in a while.

If clearing your cache hasn’t fixed the ‘failed to install dependency’ error, then it might be time to clear your Kodi data. The other solution requires you to delete Kodi and then reinstall it.

Given how drastic the alternative option is, we suggest you don’t apply it before exhausting all the other possible scenarios. One of which is cleaning the media player’s data. 

 Follow these steps to clear Kodi’s data:

• Open Firestick Settings.

• Click and open Applications.

• Click on Manage Installed Applications

• Scroll down and find Kodi.

• Open Kodi, and scroll down.

• Click on Clear Data.

• Another menu will open; click on Clear Data.

Restart Kodi and reinstall the addons you require.

Kodi’s database contains many things. When it gets corrupted, you start getting all sorts of errors, one of which is the ‘Failed to Install a Dependency’ error. Removing and reinstating Kodi’s database might help you get rid of this error. 

 Follow these steps to remove and reinstate Kodi’s database:

• Launch Kodi and open Settings.

• Click and open File Manager.

• Select Profile Directory.

• Select and open Database.

• From the list, select ‘Addons27.db’ and open the pop-up menu. Click on Delete and proceed.

• A prompt will appear; click on Yes to continue.

• The next step is to close Kodi and wait for a few minutes. After waiting, restart Kodi and try to install the addon you were trying to install earlier.

You will need to enable your addons again when you’ve cleared the database. You can do that by going to Add-ons> My Add-ons and enabling them from here.

Applied all the abovementioned solutions but the error still appears? It’s time you go for our favorite solution—the one which requires you to install dependencies from the TVAddons repository. Keep in mind that this is the final solution. Go for it only after you’ve exhausted all other avenues. 

Let’s see how we can manually install dependencies.

• Launch Kodi and open Settings.

• Select System from the settings menu.

• Click on addons.

Afterward, from the right-side menu, toggle Unknown Sources on.

• A warning prompt will appear; select Yes.

• Head back to Kodi’s settings and click on File Manager.

• Select Add Source.

• A smaller window will open; click on <None>.

• Another window will open. In the URL bar, type this URL: http://fusion.tvaddons.co. Make sure to type the URL correctly, as any mistakes will prevent you from adding the source.

Select OK to continue.

• Add a name for the source you added by typing a name in the field for ‘Enter a name for this media source’. Any name would work, and we are naming it tvaddon. Click on OK to continue.

• From the Settings, select Add-ons.

• Click on Install from zip file.
• Search for the name you gave the source earlier and click on it. In our case, it is tvaddon.

• Select ‘Kodi-repos.’

• Choose English.

• You will see a list. Scroll to find ‘repository.xbmchug-3.0.0.zip.’

• An installation confirmation notification ‘TV addons Co repo installed’ will appear on the top right corner; wait for it to appear.

If you need to install more dependencies, here’s how you can do it:

• From the addons menu, select Install from zip.
• Select tvaddons (or the name you gave the source earlier) and open Kodi Scripts

• There will be two zip files here; they will contain names Metahandler and Urlresolver.

• One by one, install both the scripts.

All the necessary dependencies have been installed, and you should be able to install the addon you were trying to install earlier. 

Another common error you might get while installing an addon in Kodi is ‘Kodi Dependencies Not Met’. Since this is a standard error, it only made sense to include it in this article. 

This error might appear when you try to use a Kodi addon that has been updated for Kodi’s latest version on one of the media player’s older versions. For instance, you’ll get the ‘Kodi Dependencies Not Met’ error if you try to install an addon updated for the Kodi 19 Matrix version on Kodi 18 Leia.

If you’re seeing this error on your Kodi’s home screen, the solution is pretty simple. Just update Kodi to the latest version. This means deleting the Kodi app you’re currently using and reinstalling it. This means losing all your settings, bookmarks, builds, and addons. You’d have to reinstall everything. 

Here are other ways you can fix ‘Kodi Dependencies Not Met‘ error:

If nothing seems to work and you are still facing errors, we suggest checking the Kodi error log file. This will help you in determining what is causing the error. Once you have determined the root cause of the problem, you’d be able to find a solution.

Kodi’s log file is a simple text file and can be accessed via other devices, such as Windows PC, Mac PC, Firestick devices, or Android devices. Given that it is a simple text file, you will have to manually go through it and search for the error log. Most probably, it will be at the end of the log file. 

You can also upload the log file and ask for help online. Alternatively, you can find the error log on your own and then consult Kodi users for a solution. Either way, you’d have to install addons to access Kodi’s log file. As long as you haven’t installed the addons, you won’t be able to open the log file.

To check Kodi’s log file on Firestick devices, you need to use a File Manager app. Kodi’s log file is saved on the Firestick storage and can be accessed via a file manager app. Follow these steps to download the ES File Manager app to check your Kodi’s log file:

1. Go to your Firestick home screen and select Find and then Search.

2. Search for ES File Explorer.
3. Download it and wait for the installation to finish.
4. Now from your Apps collection, select and launch ES File Explorer
5. Open the Settings of ES File Explorer.
6. Select and open Display Settings.
7. Scroll down till you find the option Show hidden files. Check the box next to it to enable it.
8. Return to the ES File Explorer home screen, choose the local option, and expand it.
9. Select the Second Home option (there will be two Home options) from the expanded list.
10. From the right-side menu, open the Android folder.
11. Click open a series of folders inside the Android folder, follow this path data > org.xbmc.kodi > files >  temp here you will find Kodi.log File.

Once you’ve accessed the log file, patiently go through it and try to find the cause of the error. If you can’t seem to pinpoint the error, feel free to get in touch.

Kodi is a unique media player, letting you stream high-quality video content for free. It lets you install as many addons as you want, and these addons will search the web to find HD streaming links for you. You can then use these links to stream your favorite movies and TV shows

However, while Kodi isn’t illegal, you might get in hot waters with your government if you’re found streaming copyrighted content on this media player. Most people think this cannot happen to them, but the reality is often different.  

Your internet browsing activity, whatever you search, watch, play or buy, is often monitored by your ISP and the government in the name of cyber security. This means that your ISP and government regularly keep a log of all of your online data without your consent.

Worse, while the government only keeps a watchful eye on your online data, your internet service provider sells your data to advertisement companies. These companies then use your data to show you relevant ads whenever you’re browsing the internet. 

That is why we suggest that you use ExpressVPN whenever you stream your favorite content on Kodi. As explained in our ExpressVPN review, this virtual private network has what it takes to shield your data from your ISP as well as your government. 

ExpressVPN is a subscription-based VPN, meaning you will have to buy a subscription to use it. However, given that it comes with a 30-day moneyback guarantee, you can easily claim a refund if you’re unsatisfied with its services (the chances of which happening are pretty slim).

Setting up ExpressVPN on your Amazon Firestick Devices is easy, and all you need to do is buy a subscription using your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Please note that you can’t make an account or buy a subscription for ExpressVPN on your Firestick device. Make sure to do that on one of your other devices before installing ExpressVPN on your Firestick.

Follow these steps to setup ExpressVPN on your Firestick:

1. Go to the ExpressVPN website and make an account. ExpressVPN gives you three packages – choose the one that meets your requirements the best. Once you’ve selected the package that best meets your needs, follow the steps given on the website to make your ExpressVPN account.
2. Go to your Firestick’s home screen, select Find and Search.
3. Type ‘ExpressVPN‘ and press enter.
4. Select the ExpressVPN icon from the search results. Start the download and wait until it’s complete.
5. Once the download is complete, sign in to ExpressVPN by entering your login details (email and password)  
6. The only thing left to do now is connect to a server location. You will see the connecting symbol on the screen. Click on it and let the VPN automatically connect you to a reliable server location.
7. ExpressVPN is installed and set up. You can start browsing freely.

We also recommend you start using the same ExpressVPN account on your personal computer, laptop, and handheld devices such as tablets and smartphones.

Kodi addons rely on dependencies to fetch streaming links for you. Failure to install a dependency can result in various errors, one of which is the “Failed to Install a Dependency’ error. This error is highly frustrating as it prevents you from installing your favorite addon on Kodi. If you’re facing this error, fix it by applying the solutions given above.