Compare with the current list
Search the ordinary catalogue with filters cleared. If a current entry exists, compare its full label and edition with the saved favourite. Do not assume that an identical logo means it is the same regional feed.
If only the favourite fails, note that distinction before deleting account data. The issue may concern a saved reference rather than a failure affecting every item.
Understand where the list is stored
Some apps store favourites locally, while others can associate preferences with an account. Check the actual player documentation before reinstalling or replacing hardware. Do not promise that a service renewal preserves a player’s local list.
If a supported export exists, inspect whether it contains private access information. Store it securely rather than sending it in a public troubleshooting thread.
Rebuild deliberately when needed
Add a small set of confirmed current entries first, using the intended region and language. Test them before restoring a much larger list. A bulk import can preserve old mapping problems as well as useful preferences.
Keep ordinary discovery available. If a favourite disappears, the viewer should know how to reach the current catalogue rather than depending on a single remembered shortcut.
Report the reference, not a guessed cause
A useful description says the old favourite fails while a particular current entry works, or that both fail. Include the account-change timing and player version without publishing credentials.
A personal list does not establish current carriage, ownership or replay permission. It is a convenient navigation layer whose references may need maintenance as the underlying service changes.
Keep the example player-specific
Kodi documents its favourites data separately from IPTV Simple's channel and guide inputs. That is one concrete example of a saved navigation layer, not proof that every player stores lists in the same way. Check the actual app's documentation before export or restore. If a current catalogue entry plays while an old favourite does not, retain both labels and the account-change timing. Rebuild only a small confirmed set first, so a bulk restore does not hide the original comparison or preserve many obsolete references.
Related questions
Do favourites prove the item remains available?
No. They can retain an old reference after a catalogue or account change.
Will reinstalling always restore favourites?
No. Storage and backup behaviour depend on the actual player.
Sources and scope
Scope notes distinguish published documentation, supplied information and editorial methods. They do not report a hands-on service test.
- Kodi favourites storage — Official current Wiki excerpt documents saved favourites in Kodi. It supports a specific local-reference example, not a claim about every player's persistence or backup method.
- Kodi IPTV Simple inputs and guide mapping — Official current Wiki excerpt distinguishes M3U channel inputs, XMLTV guide inputs and identity metadata. General search comparisons are proposed tasks, not a verified service inventory.
