Quick Summary: Like all apps, PlayOn can sometimes run into errors or recording issues. These problems can happen for a lot of reasons, but a slow internet link is one of the most common.
If you want to know more about why PlayOn isn't recording and how to fix PlayOn recording problems, KeepStreams can help you.
PlayOn is a screen recorder. Currently, PlayOn offers two apps: PlayOn Home and PlayOn Cloud. Both are for recording videos from Netflix and other streaming platforms.
I've listed the most common problems users have with PlayOn streaming in this post. Also, I'll show you the best PlayOn option, so you'll have a dependable backup app when PlayOn isn't working.
Common PlayOn Not Recording Issues and Solutions
Note: Typical causes include failed recording subscriptions, network/casting problems, CPU overload, and incorrectly configured off-peak recording windows.
Users should check network settings, close high-load apps, adjust PlayOn performance settings, and verify that scheduled recording windows and PC power settings are correctly configured.
PlayOn can encounter multiple streaming issues, such as PlayOn not recording, recording subscriptions failing, and more. Below, I explain the main reasons why PlayOn may stop working and the fixes that can help you get back to recording.
1. PlayOn Recording Subscription Failed
A major reason for this PlayOn not working issue is that PlayOn cannot communicate with the source website at the time the download is scheduled. This may be caused by PC software (such as a firewall, antivirus, or VPN) blocking the connection, or because the location of the video on the provider's website has changed.
How to fix it:
- Refresh your subscription by going to the Subscription section and clicking the red dot next to the subscription.
- Try again. If it fails, check whether you can stream that specific video through PlayOn directly.
- If the video now plays from a different URL or location, delete and re-create the subscription so that PlayOn can access the updated video location you want to download.
2. PlayOn Unable to Find My Casting Device
If PlayOn cannot find your casting device, the first thing to check is whether your PC and the device you want to cast to are connected to the same network. Some routers provide guest networks or separate traffic between wireless and wired devices, which can prevent devices from seeing each other.
Ideally:
- Your PC and casting device should share the same public (WAN) IP address.
- They should also be on the same local network (LAN) segment.
How to check the WAN IP address of your PC:
Open your browser and visit www.whatismyip.com to see your public IP (WAN) address.
How to check the LAN IP address of your PC:
- Right-click the Network icon in the lower-right corner of the taskbar and select Open Network & Internet Settings.
- In the window that opens, click Properties for your active network.
- Scroll down to find the IPv4 address – this is your PC's LAN IP address.
Make sure your casting device is connected to the same router and, where possible, has a similar LAN IP range (for example, both start with 192.168.1.x).
3. PlayOn Recording Being out of Sync with Videos
If your recording pauses, stutters, or is out of sync with the audio, this section is for you. Most of the time, the problem is that your CPU has reached 100% utilization, and PlayOn is waiting for your PC to catch up before it can continue processing the video.
How to check and fix it:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Start a new PlayOn recording with Task Manager open in the background.
- Watch the CPU section in Task Manager to see how heavily the CPU is being used during recording.
If the CPU is continuously at or near 100%:
- Wait until CPU usage drops before starting another recording.
- Close all unnecessary applications running in the background to reduce CPU load.
- If that still does not help, open PlayOn Settings by clicking the Settings (gear) icon at the bottom left of the Dashboard.
- In the General tab, lower the video performance setting in the Video Performance box.
For more details on comparing recording tools, you can also read Audials VS PlayOn: Which One Is Better?
4. PlayOn Off-peak Scheduled Recording Failed
For this PlayOn not working problem, there are usually two main reasons why off-peak recording fails:
- The length of the off-peak recording window is shorter than the length of the video.
- Your PC is asleep at the scheduled recording time.
How to fix it:
- Open your off-peak recording schedule settings and make sure the recording window is long enough to cover the entire video duration.
- Check your PC's power and sleep settings to ensure the computer stays awake (or wakes up) during the scheduled recording period.
Sometimes, you may experience PlayOn not recording because PlayOn cannot successfully browse to the video you want to download. Remember: you cannot record a video with PlayOn if the video does not play correctly in your browser.
Best PlayOn Alternative: KeepStreams
Want to avoid facing PlayOn not recording problems? Try PlayOn's best alternative: KeepStreams Downloader. KeepStreams allows you to download and watch videos offline without errors, ads, or internet connection issues.
Download and install KeepStreams from the official website. Once installation completes, launch the software.
1. Go to the VIP section and select the streaming service from where you want to download the video.
2. Proceed with browsing for the video, select the audio video settings, and hit Download to begin downloading.
3. You can also add your selected videos to the queue to search for others and download all of them together in a batch, utilizing the batch downloading feature of the KeepStreams.
Editor's Takeaways
I list all about the PlayOn not Recording, PlayOn streaming issues, PlayOn problems, and more. Hope it cleared out all of your confusion regarding the topic. However, switch to the KeepStreams to get rid of PlayOn not recording or PlayOn streaming issues and enjoy non-stop streaming of your favorite content, making the most of your leisure time.
| Feature | PlayOn (Home / Cloud) | KeepStreams |
|---|---|---|
| Download Mode | Real-time recording of streaming playback | Direct downloads on PC, no real-time recording required |
| Download / Recording Speed | Takes roughly as long as the video length | Faster-than-playback downloads |
| Video Quality | Up to Full HD 1080p (Cloud defaults to 720p | Up to 1080p / 4K |
| Output Format | MP4 | MP4 / MKV |
| Recording / Download Limits |
limited by credits / cloud storage plans. |
100 videos per day |
| Subtitles & Audio Tracks | No separate SRT subtitle export |
|
| File Control & Devices | Workflow is centered around the PlayOn apps. | Full control: save directly to PC, external drives, or NAS and play on any MP4/MKV-capable device. |
| Offline Reliability | Real-time recording may fail due to network, CPU overload, or site changes. | Stable local files, not tied to streaming app updates or in-app download rules. |
FAQs
Q1. Why does PlayOn say "recording failed" even when the video plays fine in my browser?
A1. This usually means PlayOn can't talk to the streaming site at recording time. Firewall, antivirus, VPN, or proxy tools may block the connection, or the video URL has changed. Temporarily disable blockers, refresh or recreate the subscription, and confirm the title plays smoothly inside PlayOn’s browser.
Q2. Why are my PlayOn recordings low quality or not 1080p?
A2. PlayOn doesn't always set the settings to Full HD. In the settings for PlayOn or Cloud recording, make sure that 1080p or Full HD is turned on. Your viewing plan, CPU function, and internet speed also have an impact on quality. If your gear isn't up to par, PlayOn may stutter or drop to a lower quality level.
Q3. Is it normal that PlayOn recordings take a long time or get stuck in the queue?
A3. Yes, to a point. PlayOn records in real time, so a 60-minute episode can take roughly 60 minutes. Queues can stall if a provider is down or a title keeps failing. Clearing problem recordings, checking your connection, or restarting PlayOn often helps, but frequent delays frustrate many users.
Q4. Is using PlayOn or KeepStreams legal?
A4. Most streaming services don't let you copy content or use unofficial download tools. Laws about recording things for personal use and getting around protective measures differ from one country to another. To stay safe, keep downloads for your own watching, never share or sell them, and always check the latest terms of service and local rules.
Q5. When should I keep using PlayOn, and when should I switch to KeepStreams?
A5. PlayOn works fine for people who like scheduled recordings that work like DVRs and don't mind that it sometimes fails or records in real time that are slower. Switching to KeepStreams makes sense if you care more about faster downloads, higher resolutions, flexible MP4/MKV output, batch episodes, and more stable performance across multiple streaming services.
NOTE: Content available on streaming services is protected by copyright. Unauthorized redistribution of this content may violate copyright laws in the United States and other countries.
KeepStreams is an independent company and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with a streaming service or its parent company. The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and does not imply any endorsement of KeepStreams products by any third party.
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