The VideoLAN Forums

Posted: **23 Jun 2015 19:51**

I was listening to 'http://audio1.ideastream.org/wcpn64.mp3', but it stopped. I was showed a message that said I should check the log. Where is the log?

If VLC knows something is wrong, why doesn't it just tell me what's wrong?

If VLC knows I should check the log, why doesn't it simply open the log and show it to me?

Posted: **16 Jul 2015 15:09**

Posted: **17 Jul 2015 00:38**

Thanks, Jean-Baptiste. "-vvv", eh? Now, why didn't I think of that?

Posted: **18 Jul 2016 20:24**

I have the same problem, but I was trying to repair that problem 3 times and it's ok.

I wish I knew what was wrong. Jean-Baptiste Kempf replied to me. He wrote: "-vvv". I have no idea what he meant. I've pretty much given up on VLC.

Posted: **20 Jul 2016 14:11**

This a command line argument. So if you launch VLC on the shell with

Code: Select all

vlc -vvv

, you'll receive all the debug output directly on that shell.

Alternatively, see the "Messages" panel accessible through the "Window" menu which allows you to see the log within the application.

Finally, you can set advanced preferences options to directly log to a file.

Posted: **20 Jul 2016 17:45**

Re: Where is the log?

Quote Felix Paul Kuehne

Post by Felix Paul Kuehne » 2016 Jul Wed 7:11 am
This a command line argument. So if you launch VLC on the shell with
Code: Select all
vlc -vvv
, you'll receive all the debug output directly on that shell.

Thank you. The output is below. Is there a log there? Is there a pointer to a log? I couldn't find one -- I searched for "log". And what users are going to launch VLC by terminal: "vlc -vvv"? I have a Whiskers Menu that launches VLC. It has nothing for viewing logs. What good is running "vlc -vvv" after there's a problem?

Alternatively, see the "Messages" panel accessible through the "Window" menu which allows you to see the log within the application.

Well, it's not a "Window" menu... I found a "Messages" panel in a "Tools" menu. It shows nothing for "vlc". It shows something only for "vlc -vvv". Again, what good is that? And if I should look at it, why doesn't VLC simply show it to me? And how am I going to know that "Messages" is something I should look at? I mean... Really: This is like spreading out all the parts of a car on the floor in front of the user and saying, "There! Now you have everything you need to get to Paris."

Finally, you can set advanced preferences options to directly log to a file.

Why doesn't VLC do that for me? It could simply overwrite an existing file. That way, if I have trouble, I can look at the log while VLC is running (or before running VLC a second time). Pushing this sort of problem out to the user just makes VLC look bad. The problem isn't the user's problem.

Now, below is the output of "vlc -vvv". I have no idea what any of that means.

Code: Select all

mark@mark-VirtualBox ~ $ vlc -vvv
VLC media player 2.1.6 Rincewind (revision 2.1.6-0-gea01d28)
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: VLC media player - 2.1.6 Rincewind
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: Copyright © 1996-2015 the VideoLAN team
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: revision 2.1.6-0-gea01d28
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: configured with ./configure  '--includedir=${prefix}/include' '--mandir=${prefix}/share/man' '--infodir=${prefix}/share/info' '--localstatedir=/var' '--libdir=${prefix}/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu' '--libexecdir=${prefix}/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu' '--disable-dependency-tracking' '--build=x86_64-linux-gnu' 'CPPFLAGS=-D_FORTIFY_SOURCE=2' 'LDFLAGS=-Wl,-Bsymbolic-functions -Wl,-z,relro' '--config-cache' '--disable-maintainer-mode' '--disable-silent-rules' '--disable-update-check' '--enable-fast-install' '--prefix=/usr' '--docdir=/usr/share/doc/vlc-nox' '--libdir=/usr/lib' '--sysconfdir=/etc' '--with-binary-version=0ubuntu14.04.1' '--enable-a52' '--enable-aa' '--enable-bluray' '--enable-bonjour' '--enable-caca' '--enable-chromaprint' '--enable-dbus' '--enable-dca' '--enable-dirac' '--enable-directfb' '--enable-dvbpsi' '--enable-dvdnav' '--enable-faad' '--enable-flac' '--enable-fluidsynth' '--enable-freetype' '--enable-fribidi' '--enable-gnutls' '--enable-jack' '--enable-kate' '--enable-libass' '--enable-libfreerdp' '--enable-libmpeg2' '--enable-libxml2' '--enable-lirc' '--enable-live555' '--enable-mad' '--enable-mkv' '--enable-mod' '--enable-mpc' '--enable-mtp' '--enable-mux_ogg' '--enable-ncurses' '--enable-notify' '--enable-ogg' '--enable-opus' '--enable-oss' '--enable-pulse' '--enable-qt' '--enable-realrtsp' '--enable-samplerate' '--enable-schroedinger' '--enable-sdl' '--enable-sftp' '--enable-shout' '--enable-skins2' '--enable-smbclient' '--enable-speex' '--enable-svg' '--enable-taglib' '--enable-theora' '--enable-twolame' '--enable-upnp' '--enable-vcd' '--enable-vcdx' '--enable-vorbis' '--enable-x264' '--enable-zvbi' '--with-kde-solid=/usr/share/kde4/apps/solid/actions/' '--disable-decklink' '--disable-dxva2' '--disable-fdkaac' '--disable-gnomevfs' '--disable-goom' '--disable-libvnc' '--disable-opencv' '--disable-projectm' '--disable-quicksync' '--disable-sndio' '--disable-telx' '--disable-vsxu' '--disable-wasapi' '--enable-alsa' '--enable-atmo' '--enable-dc1394' '--enable-dv1394' '--enable-linsys' '--enable-omxil' '--enable-udev' '--enable-libva' '--enable-v4l2' '--enable-crystalhd' '--enable-mmx' '--enable-sse' '--disable-neon' '--disable-altivec' 'CFLAGS=-g -O2 -fstack-protector --param=ssp-buffer-size=4 -Wformat -Werror=format-security' 'CXXFLAGS=-g -O2 -fstack-protector --param=ssp-buffer-size=4 -Wformat -Werror=format-security' 'build_alias=x86_64-linux-gnu'
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: searching plug-in modules
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: loading plugins cache file /usr/lib/vlc/plugins/plugins.dat
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: recursively browsing `/usr/lib/vlc/plugins'
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: saving plugins cache /usr/lib/vlc/plugins/plugins.dat
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: plug-ins loaded: 426 modules
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: opening config file (/home/mark/.config/vlc/vlcrc)
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: translation test: code is "C"
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: CPU has capabilities MMX MMXEXT SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX FPU 
[0x1407948] main input debug: Creating an input for 'Media Library'
[0x1407948] main input debug: Input is a meta file: disabling unneeded options
[0x1407948] main input debug: using timeshift granularity of 50 MiB, in path '/tmp'
[0x1407948] main input debug: `file/xspf-open:///home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf' gives access `file' demux `xspf-open' path `/home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf'
[0x1407948] main input debug: creating demux: access='file' demux='xspf-open' location='/home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf' file='/home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf'
[0x13f8888] main demux debug: looking for access_demux module matching "file": 20 candidates
[0x13f8888] main demux debug: no access_demux modules matched
[0x1407948] main input debug: creating access 'file' location='/home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf', path='/home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf'
[0x14a47f8] main access debug: looking for access module matching "file": 25 candidates
[0x14a47f8] filesystem access debug: opening file `/home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf'
[0x14a47f8] main access debug: using access module "filesystem"
[0x14a5548] main stream debug: Using stream method for AStream*
[0x14a5548] main stream debug: starting pre-buffering
[0x14a5548] main stream debug: received first data after 12 ms
[0x14a5548] main stream debug: pre-buffering done 296 bytes in 0s - 22 KiB/s
[0x14a57a8] main stream debug: looking for stream_filter module matching "any": 9 candidates
[0x14a57a8] main stream debug: no stream_filter modules matched
[0x14a57a8] main stream debug: looking for stream_filter module matching "record": 9 candidates
[0x14a57a8] main stream debug: using stream_filter module "record"
[0x1407948] main input debug: creating demux: access='file' demux='xspf-open' location='/home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf' file='/home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf'
[0x14a8c28] main demux debug: looking for demux module matching "xspf-open": 63 candidates
[0x14a8c28] playlist demux debug: using XSPF playlist reader
[0x14a8c28] main demux debug: using demux module "playlist"
[0x14a8ed8] main demux meta debug: looking for meta reader module matching "any": 2 candidates
[0x14a8ed8] lua demux meta debug: Trying Lua scripts in /home/mark/.local/share/vlc/lua/meta/reader
[0x14a8ed8] lua demux meta debug: Trying Lua scripts in /usr/lib/vlc/lua/meta/reader
[0x14a8ed8] lua demux meta debug: Trying Lua playlist script /usr/lib/vlc/lua/meta/reader/filename.luac
[0x14a8ed8] lua demux meta debug: Trying Lua scripts in /usr/share/vlc/lua/meta/reader
[0x14a8ed8] main demux meta debug: no meta reader modules matched
[0x1407948] main input debug: `file/xspf-open:///home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf' successfully opened
[0x14b2b18] main xml reader debug: looking for xml reader module matching "any": 1 candidates
[0x14b2b18] main xml reader debug: using xml reader module "xml"
[0x14a8c28] playlist demux debug: parsed 0 tracks successfully
[0x1407948] main input debug: EOF reached
[0x14a8c28] main demux debug: removing module "playlist"
[0x14a57a8] main stream debug: removing module "record"
[0x14a47f8] main access debug: removing module "filesystem"
[0x15d0308] main playlist debug: creating audio output
[0x14a5548] main audio output debug: looking for audio output module matching "any": 6 candidates
[0x14a5548] pulse audio output debug: using library version 4.0.0
[0x14a5548] pulse audio output debug:  (compiled with version 4.0.0, protocol 28)
[0x14a5548] pulse audio output debug: connected locally to /run/user/1000/pulse/native as client #3
[0x14a5548] pulse audio output debug: using protocol 28, server protocol 28
[0x14a5548] main audio output debug: using audio output module "pulse"
[0x15d0308] main playlist debug: keeping audio output
[0x14b2c78] main interface debug: looking for interface module matching "hotkeys,none": 19 candidates
[0x14a5548] pulse audio output debug: adding sink 0: alsa_output.pci-0000_00_05.0.analog-stereo (Built-in Audio Analog Stereo)
[0x14b2c78] main interface debug: using interface module "hotkeys"
[0x140ce48] main interface debug: looking for interface module matching "globalhotkeys,none": 19 candidates
[0x140ce48] main interface debug: using interface module "globalhotkeys"
[0x14b4ab8] main interface debug: looking for interface module matching "dbus,none": 19 candidates
[0x14b4ab8] dbus interface debug: listening on dbus as: org.mpris.MediaPlayer2.vlc.instance2596
[0x14b4ab8] main interface debug: using interface module "dbus"
[0x13dc118] main libvlc: Running vlc with the default interface. Use 'cvlc' to use vlc without interface.
[0x1410d68] main interface debug: looking for interface module matching "any": 19 candidates
[0x7fd7f4208588] main generic debug: looking for extension module matching "any": 1 candidates
[0x7fd7f4208588] lua generic debug: Opening Lua Extension module
[0x7fd7f4208588] lua generic debug: Trying Lua scripts in /home/mark/.local/share/vlc/lua/extensions
[0x7fd7f4208588] lua generic debug: Trying Lua scripts in /usr/lib/vlc/lua/extensions
[0x7fd7f4208588] lua generic debug: Trying Lua playlist script /usr/lib/vlc/lua/extensions/VLSub.luac
[0x7fd7f4208588] lua generic debug: Scanning Lua script /usr/lib/vlc/lua/extensions/VLSub.luac
[0x7fd7f4208588] lua generic debug: Script /usr/lib/vlc/lua/extensions/VLSub.luac has the following capability flags: 0x5
[0x7fd7f4208588] lua generic debug: Trying Lua scripts in /usr/share/vlc/lua/extensions
[0x7fd7f4208588] main generic debug: using extension module "lua"
"sni-qt/2596" WARN  11:10:11.767 void StatusNotifierItemFactory::connectToSnw() Invalid interface to SNW_SERVICE 
[0x1410d68] main interface debug: using interface module "qt4"
^C[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: removing all interfaces
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: exiting
[0x1410d68] main interface debug: removing module "qt4"
[0x15d0308] main playlist debug: deactivating the playlist
[0x14a5548] main audio output debug: removing module "pulse"
[0x1410d68] qt4 interface debug: requesting exit...
[0x1410d68] qt4 interface debug: waiting for UI thread...
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: exiting
[0x1410d68] qt4 interface debug: QApp exec() finished
[0x1410d68] qt4 interface debug: Video is not needed anymore
[0x1410d68] qt4 interface debug: Killing extension dialog provider
[0x1410d68] qt4 interface debug: ExtensionsDialogProvider is quitting...
[0x7fd7f4208588] main generic debug: removing module "lua"
[0x7fd7f4208588] lua generic debug: Deactivating all loaded extensions
[0x7fd7f4208588] lua generic debug: All extensions are now deactivated
[0x14b4ab8] main interface debug: removing module "dbus"
[0x140ce48] main interface debug: removing module "globalhotkeys"
[0x14b2c78] main interface debug: removing module "hotkeys"
[0x15d0308] main playlist debug: destroying
[0x1411108] main playlist export debug: saving Media Library to file /home/mark/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf
[0x1411108] main playlist export debug: looking for playlist export module matching "export-xspf": 4 candidates
[0x1411108] main playlist export debug: using playlist export module "export"
[0x1411108] main playlist export debug: removing module "export"
[0x13dc118] main libvlc debug: removing stats
mark@mark-VirtualBox ~ $

Posted: **09 Jul 2018 11:25**

When VLC can't connect with a stream, VLC says: "VLC is unable to open the MRL 'http://170.254.18.90:8054/stream'. Check the log for details."

The only problem is that there is no log file by default!

Whoever has Wiki editing access, PLEASE add the following note on this page https://wiki.videolan.org/VSG:Main/

"Note: Information on viewing VLC's log file can be found here."

The word "here" should link to a separate page with this information:

"By default, VLC does not create a separate (.txt) log file. You can view the log from within VLC or you can change VLC's preferences to have VLC create a separate log file.

To view the log within VLC:
1. Click Tools > Messages.
2. (Optional) You can change the logging level by changing the value in the Verbosity box. This changes the level of detail shown in the log.

To have VLC create a separate log file (.txt), do the following:
1. Select Tools > Preferences.
2. Under Show Settings (at the bottom of the window), click All.
3. Under Advanced, click Logger.
4. Click Log to File.
5. Click Browse and select a name and location for the log file."

Posted: **25 Aug 2018 03:34**

When VLC can't connect with a stream, VLC says: "VLC is unable to open the MRL 'http://170.254.18.90:8054/stream'. Check the log for details."

The only problem is that there is no log file by default!

Whoever has Wiki editing access, PLEASE add the following note on this page https://wiki.videolan.org/VSG:Main/

"Note: Information on viewing VLC's log file can be found here."

The word "here" should link to a separate page with this information:

"By default, VLC does not create a separate (.txt) log file. You can view the log from within VLC or you can change VLC's preferences to have VLC create a separate log file.

To view the log within VLC:
1. Click Tools > Messages.
2. (Optional) You can change the logging level by changing the value in the Verbosity box. This changes the level of detail shown in the log.

To have VLC create a separate log file (.txt), do the following:
1. Select Tools > Preferences.
2. Under Show Settings (at the bottom of the window), click All.
3. Under Advanced, click Logger.
4. Click Log to File.
5. Click Browse and select a name and location for the log file."

Thank you for posting this. It's the one thing I came here to find out about and yet I was close to giving up on it. Searching the forum for info on the log location was turning up thread after thread that suddenly just end when someone asks specifically about it! You'd think it was taboo or something.