Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

Start with the runtime status button at the bottom-left of NetWatch. Select it once to open diagnostics and again to close them. Use Copy diagnostics when reporting a problem.

Remove API keys, private addresses, usernames, and local paths before posting diagnostic text publicly. Never share a WireGuard configuration or private key.

Runtime does not become ready

• Start Docker Desktop and wait for it to finish loading.
• Confirm Docker Desktop uses the WSL2 backend and is integrated with the distribution selected for NetWatch.
• Restart NetWatch after changing a Windows host VPN.
• Confirm that no other program occupies a required local port.

VPN or DNS verification fails

Run the bundled check from PowerShell:

wsl -d Ubuntu -- sh -lc 'cd ~/.local/share/netwatch/runtime && python3 docker/verify-networking.py'

Replace Ubuntu with the selected distribution. If the profile was changed, import it again through Replace configuration and restart NetWatch.

See VPN Configuration and the network threat model.

Catalog or metadata does not load

• Confirm that the TMDB credential shows as configured in Settings.
• Replace the key if it was revoked or rotated.
• Check diagnostics for a metadata or network error.

No releases appear

• Test the indexer directly in Prowlarr.
• Confirm the Prowlarr API key is configured.
• Check the selected season and episode.
• Check Default quality; the chosen ceiling may exclude available results.
• Enable FlareSolverr only if that indexer requires it.

See Prowlarr and FlareSolverr.

Playback stalls or exits

• Wait for the exclusive preparation screen to finish before repeatedly selecting the same release.
• Open Network in the player and check peers, speed, and buffer state.
• Try another release when the torrent has no reachable seeds.
• If seeking repeatedly exhausts the buffer, let playback recover before seeking again.

Leaving playback starts cleanup. A short delay before the same torrent can be opened again may be normal while the previous session closes, but the selection page should remain visible and usable.

Subtitles do not load

• Confirm OpenSubtitles or SubDL is configured on the PC.
• Try a different language, provider, or release.
• On Android, Find English loads only English results.

See Subtitles.

Android cannot connect

• Keep both devices on the same private network.
• Disable guest Wi-Fi or client isolation for the devices.
• Confirm remote access is enabled on the correct PC interface.
• Re-pair after a PC address, certificate, or remote identity change.
• Check that the Windows firewall allows the selected remote access port on the private network.

Camera is unavailable

• Open Android system settings and allow Camera permission for NetWatch.
• Close another app that may be holding the camera.
• Return to NetWatch and select Retry.
• If permission was permanently denied, enable it from Android's app-permission page before retrying.

Still blocked

Check existing Windows issues and Android issues. Include the app version, Windows or Android version, the failing action, and sanitized diagnostics or logs.