Develop Bugs

[q] got new AFTV, stuck on updating page after blocking domains

So I just got an AFTV off of eBay and it looks like I have a rootable version (no alternating language to german on the start screen) but after blocking the domains on my router, it still wants to update and doesn't seem to go past that to the initial setup like the guides say. I know some people had this issue, but am confused what my options are now.
Thanks in advance
EDIT: so i saw someone suggest using the dnsmasq option in Tomato routers to redirect the amazon servers to go to 127.0.0.1 which i did. now the screen says it's "trying to update but cannot contact our services. we will keep trying". after a few more minutes its asking me to unplug my power for a few seconds and then try again

Make sure you're NOT blocking "firs-ta-g7g.amazon.com".
barrist said:
So I just got an AFTV off of eBay and it looks like I have a rootable version (no alternating language to german on the start screen) but after blocking the domains on my router, it still wants to update and doesn't seem to go past that to the initial setup like the guides say. I know some people had this issue, but am confused what my options are now.
Thanks in advance
EDIT: so i saw someone suggest using the dnsmasq option in Tomato routers to redirect the amazon servers to go to 127.0.0.1 which i did. now the screen says it's "trying to update but cannot contact our services. we will keep trying". after a few more minutes its asking me to unplug my power for a few seconds and then try again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Somehow got it to work!
Saw a comment on aftv news about letting it start to download the update and then quickly block one of the domains, and then letting it attempt to install it (and fail presumably). booted up, signed into amazon and was on a rootable firmware! woot!

Unable to update your Amazon Fire TV
I ran into the similar issue with "Unable to update your Amazon Fire TV"
I took a longer route. I signed up for OPENDNS's free service and and blocked the domain names there.
Then I updated my router's DNS seeting with the OPENDNS server and also used KEYWORD block in the router to block all the version of the software like "51.1.4.0_user_514006420". I only blocked the version for which there's no root available. I got all the version from this site
aftvnews
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.
After doing all this I was able to move past the "Unable to update your Amazon Fire TV" screen and move forward.
-Apologize I didn't want to hijack your thread but I thought I post my own experience from today.

Billymaz said:
I ran into the similar issue with "Unable to update your Amazon Fire TV"
I took a longer route. I signed up for OPENDNS's free service and and blocked the domain names there.
Then I updated my router's DNS seeting with the OPENDNS server and also used KEYWORD block in the router to block all the version of the software like "51.1.4.0_user_514006420". I only blocked the version for which there's no root available. I got all the version from this site .
After doing all this I was able to move past the "Unable to update your Amazon Fire TV" screen and move forward.
-Apologize I didn't want to hijack your thread but I thought I post my own experience from today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wish I had seen this today before setting up a unit..... blocking the 2 urls that update no longer works..... There must be a new server for the updates.

Tried both of those options today, but unfortunately neither worked for me. It simply stopped and said to reboot and try again. Nothing would allow me to get past the download screen. Glad it worked for you though!

Hi
I have now a new ftv2 logedin with amazon account made one upgrade to 5.0.4 rooted it installed TWRP v6 3.0.0.5 installed latest Pre-Rooted 5.2.1.1 ROM for the Amazon Fire TV 2 and it worked, then I though as recommended to make full wipe (aftv guid) to get rid of kingo/king root. Now i still have a working recovery, but cant pass to the register screen, I only get to choose wifi and then "unable to update fire tv screen"
My regular wifi is blocking amazon updates(already have firtv 1 and 2 ftv sticks all rooted)
for testing I deactivated the blocks, didnt make a difference.
used wfi hotspot from phone, also did not work.
then I though downgrading to older pre rooted images could work but no change.
Did I miss something? any ideas thanks in advance
Solution: I had to unregister the Fire TV from https://www.amazon.com then it worked, found it an older xda post,

Have the update servers changed?

Hello
I just fresh installed the latest pre-rooted firmware (thanks as always rbox.. beer on me incoming!) and I forgot to do the "yank the ethernet cable" trick to get past the initial update. My router has the domains blocked and previously they were working fine, so I would have expected the check to fail, but it happily went though to the registration screen. Of course there are no updates since this is the latest, so no harm done this time round, but just wondering if any domains may have changed?
Also checking update status in "About" and it says last checked today (normally it just says "Checking now...."). When I click on Check for Updates, it says there was an error. Which suggests nothing has changed, but I'm confused by the above.
The other possibility is that the new firmware doesn't hang on checking for updates, so if it fails it just goes through anyway (good for peeps who are having internet trouble, etc).
Anyone else have this experience? I have updates disabled so not too worried, but just wondering for future reference in case I need to fresh install and a newer update is out.
Cheers

Try downloading the update through aftvnews, it may be your firewall isn't blocking it.
I just discovered my Asus router wasn't blocking the updates until I re-enabled the firewall.
edit:
Or may because you're on the latest update it skipped the update.

eskay993 said:
Hello
I just fresh installed the latest pre-rooted firmware (thanks as always rbox.. beer on me incoming!) and I forgot to do the "yank the ethernet cable" trick to get past the initial update. My router has the domains blocked and previously they were working fine, so I would have expected the check to fail, but it happily went though to the registration screen. Of course there are no updates since this is the latest, so no harm done this time round, but just wondering if any domains may have changed?
Also checking update status in "About" and it says last checked today (normally it just says "Checking now...."). When I click on Check for Updates, it says there was an error. Which suggests nothing has changed, but I'm confused by the above.
The other possibility is that the new firmware doesn't hang on checking for updates, so if it fails it just goes through anyway (good for peeps who are having internet trouble, etc).
Anyone else have this experience? I have updates disabled so not too worried, but just wondering for future reference in case I need to fresh install and a newer update is out.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an observation...you shouldn't need to do the Ethernet trick with custom recovery when updating prerooted firmware. It will check for updates then nothing should happen.
I've been running the same prerooted firmware for a long time so my memory isn't perfect but I thought just updating it wouldn't take you to the registration screen??? Unless maybe this new firmware isn't set up like rbox's. Are you saying you had to setup your account, check adb and unknown sources, reinstall apps, etc? This would occur if you wiped data before installing the update maybe...
Anyways. If it running OK I wouldn't worry much about it.

KLit75 said:
Just an observation...you shouldn't need to do the Ethernet trick with custom recovery when updating prerooted firmware. It will check for updates then nothing should happen.
I've been running the same prerooted firmware for a long time so my memory isn't perfect but I thought just updating it wouldn't take you to the registration screen??? Unless maybe this new firmware isn't set up like rbox's. Are you saying you had to setup your account, check adb and unknown sources, reinstall apps, etc? This would occur if you wiped data before installing the update maybe...
Anyways. If it running OK I wouldn't worry much about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Yes I did a complete fresh install / format data etc. Wanted to start fresh. I have done full wipe install with rbox's previous firmware in the past and I did have to do the ethernet trick to get to the registration screen. But not with this latest. My guess is Amazon have changed it so that it doesn't just hang if it encounters an error at the stage. Or something else has changed.
My router is definitely blocking the servers. Once I am in KFTV launcher, it shows they are being blocked (updates just says "Checking now..."). So probably nothing to worry about, just wanted to be ready, so to speak, in case I need to do another fresh install in future.

eskay993 said:
Thanks for the reply. Yes I did a complete fresh install / format data etc. Wanted to start fresh. I have done full wipe install with rbox's previous firmware in the past and I did have to do the ethernet trick to get to the registration screen. But not with this latest. My guess is Amazon have changed it so that it doesn't just hang if it encounters an error at the stage. Or something else has changed.
My router is definitely blocking the servers. Once I am in KFTV launcher, it shows they are being blocked (updates just says "Checking now..."). So probably nothing to worry about, just wanted to be ready, so to speak, in case I need to do another fresh install in future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tested this out. With the latest firmware that was just released by rbox. The update still shows the same error as before. After every update. I ensure that I disable the update service via SU and the update links are blocked on my router anyways. I don't do opendns as I believe in manual physical blocking.

Fire TV Stick wants to update

While sideloading Kodi with my Fire TV stick there was a prompt that wanted me to update my Fire Stick. I'm still kind of new to this, only been use this firestick for 3 days now. It was going to update in one minute if I didn't select "remind me later". Figuring out why the updates aren't blocked is an issue that I will have to deal with later because I thought I blocked the three URLs. What I want to know is if an update already downloaded in the back ground and wants to install is the reason I'm getting the prompt to update.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/stagefright-bug-root-possiblity-t3167059/page7

santamanga said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/stagefright-bug-root-possiblity-t3167059/page7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So by reading that I get the impression that updates cannot be blocked. What causes the update prompt, I ask because I don't see it when I initially turn on my stick, it only appears after its been in use for a while. Since I never updated my fire stick at the initial setup, is it just a nag to do the initial first update?

Netflix always exits randomly since I upgraded to the latest version！

Hi,
I have several fire TVs, one of them is rooted. since upgraded to the latest version, when I play netflix, after a while , netflix always exit randomly.
why?

any hint?

I'm having the same issue since I downloaded the latest version and it's not just Netflix. I'm having issues with tubi.tv doing the same thing. Also Netflix has problems loading or playing a title. It's especially frustrating and irritating when you watching a show and it starts buffering. It goes to 25%, stops and I have to back out then go back in. It happens quite frequently since I downloaded the new version.

blackantt said:
any hint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Melina69 said:
I'm having the same issue since I downloaded the latest version and it's not just Netflix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guys, please specify device, root, FW, etc.. Of you don't include specifics then it becomes a guessing game.
Netflix can be fanikie. When it acts up on me. On my latest FW PreRooted FTV1. I just go to the apps setting. Then do an App Stop & clean the cache. I leave Data alone. Since I prefer to not have to input the log in info. I also have the Apps auto update turned off. So I control when it updates. I only update if none of my other tricks work. As a last resort.

I didn't realize there was more than one kind of Amazon Fire TV. I have no idea what the specifics are. Netflix has never done this before until I downloaded the latest version. I don't believe the automatic updates is on since I never had to update it before. I don't know how to stop and clear cache. Never had to do that either. Maybe my version is different than yours. But I went to settings to see if I could figure it out.

Melina69 said:
I didn't realize there was more than one kind of Amazon Fire TV. I have no idea what the specifics are. Netflix has never done this before until I downloaded the latest version. I don't believe the automatic updates is on since I never had to update it before. I don't know how to stop and clear cache. Never had to do that either. Maybe my version is different than yours. But I went to settings to see if I could figure it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that there are TV's there are 5 type of FireTV devices.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201640900
You can clean the cache from the App Settings. In the Apps Management menu.

blackantt said:
Hi,
I have several fire TVs, one of them is rooted. since upgraded to the latest version, when I play netflix, after a while , netflix always exit randomly.
why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it the rooted FireTV that exists randomly? My rooted AFTV1 box refuses to load now. I've uninstalled the app several times, prior to that cleared cache and data and nothing. It asks for my login info, accepts it, and then ultimately kicks me out with zero error messages.
If I saw the last update correctly, it was updated mid-June and I used Netflix last week. I thought I was the only one this was happening to, but it appears to be happening to others. I wonder if it's a root issue?

null0pointer said:
Is it the rooted FireTV that exists randomly? My rooted AFTV1 box refuses to load now. I've uninstalled the app several times, prior to that cleared cache and data and nothing. It asks for my login info, accepts it, and then ultimately kicks me out with zero error messages.
If I saw the last update correctly, it was updated mid-June and I used Netflix last week. I thought I was the only one this was happening to, but it appears to be happening to others. I wonder if it's a root issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on FireOS 3 then yeah. Netflix probably made their latest Neflix app incompatible with old Android versions.

Y314K said:
If you are on FireOS 3 then yeah. Netflix probably made their latest Neflix app incompatible with old Android versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on the newest pre-rooted Fire OS available and the newest version of Netflix. It worked last week, so I'm not sure what is happening this week to cause the outage.
I'm likely to rollback root to stock OS anyway as several OTT TV providers do not work like Vue. They refuse to run when they detect root.

null0pointer said:
I'm on the newest pre-rooted Fire OS available and the newest version of Netflix. It worked last week, so I'm not sure what is happening this week to cause the outage.
I'm likely to rollback root to stock OS anyway as several OTT TV providers do not work like Vue. They refuse to run when they detect root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're bootloader is unlocked. You might want to wait in case we can get Magisk HideRoot working. Near future project. Don't try it now. But heads up.
For now just turn off apps auto update & install a prior version of Netflix.

Y314K said:
Guys, please specify device, root, FW, etc.. Of you don't include specifics then it becomes a guessing game.
Netflix can be fanikie. When it acts up on me. On my latest FW PreRooted FTV1. I just go to the apps setting. Then do an App Stop & clean the cache. I leave Data alone. Since I prefer to not have to input the log in info. I also have the Apps auto update turned off. So I control when it updates. I only update if none of my other tricks work. As a last resort.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for my pre-root and regular fire TV I, when I upgraded to 5.2.4.1 . they all have this trouble (exit randomly in Netflix). hope someone can debug it.

[SOLVED] New HULU and HBO App Playback Failure Fix AFTV2 (sloane)

Update: This issue has now been confirmed solved for the Hulu, HBO Go, and HBO NOW app update error.
There are 2 ways to remedy the issue:
1. The prefered method is to update to the newest ROM. Rbox has issued an updated version of his ROM 5.2.4.2_r2. You can get a copy at the forum post here 5.2.4.1_r2. This updated version fixes playback errors in the new Hulu app as well as HBO (Go and Now) issues. Be sure to follow normal flashing instructions. Note - 5.2.4.2_r1 will NOT work for the new Hulu app (4.x.x).
2. If, for some reason, you do not want to flash an updated ROM. For the quick and dirty solution, post #12 gives instructions on correcting the problem. Note that this method only reverts to an older version of the app (3.x.x) and will not allow the new Hulu Live TV service functionality or the multiple accounts functionality. The same will need to be done for the HBO apk as well.
Original Post:
I'm surprised I'm the only one so far posting about this, but maybe I'm the only one experiencing problems.
The new HULU app updated automatically for me yesterday and immediately rendered playback impossible. Any show, movie, etc. comes back with a playback failure error code cdn-3-xxxxxxxx where the "x"s at the end change to different alpha numeric characters at any time. Here is what I have tried so far with NO POSITIVE RESULTS (in addition to speaking with HULU customer service support desk). I am on a rooted box using TWRP and rbox's system files (sloane).
Uninstalled and reinstalled app
Restarted AFTV
Unauthorized app via HULU website and re-authorized
Restarted router, cable modem, and AFTV (even a long term restart as requested by HULU tech support)
Updated AFTV software version (originally I was on 5.2.4.0 - then I updated to 5.2.4.2)
Wiped cache (Factory Reset)
As stated above, none of these worked.
HULU support gave me no way to uninstall the app and go back to an older (working) version, so I am currently stuck without a working version of HULU.
Here's what I'm interested in finding out from the community:
Has anyone experienced the same problems I have and then been able to get the app working correctly? If so, what method worked for you?
I can probably find an old version of the app online, however, I need to be able to block or turn off the update somehow... is there a method of turning the app update similar to how we stop the AFTV from updating automatically?
Any assistance would be appreciated. I'd really like the old version of the app back, since the newer version is crap.

This should be an old version of the apk you can try to sideload: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xw9rv2nxet2lchu/com.hulu.plus-FireTV-3.2.a.apk?dl=0

Thanks Sizzle, but I fear without a method of stopping the update I will shortly be left in a similar situation as I currently am in. Would you happen to know how to stop the automatic update of the hulu apk?

chadster1976 said:
Thanks Sizzle, but I fear without a method of stopping the update I will shortly be left in a similar situation as I currently am in. Would you happen to know how to stop the automatic update of the hulu apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FireOS 5 UI in Settings/Applications/Appstore/ you can turn off the "Automatic Updates" for all apps. In the future you will get notifications about Updates. You will be able to ignore them or apply them.

Can you confirm that the apk I provided is the older version? I've already upgraded and everything works fine on my Fire TV 1.

Sizzle - I will have some time this afternoon or early evening to implement the rollback and turn off the updates that Y314K provided instructions to earlier. I will post back with results when complete.
Thank you again for the assist.

Yup... I posted this as an issue on aftv news. If your rooted the new Hulu version will not work on your Amazon Fire TV. Please let us know if this method fixes the problem.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers Legacy app

tekno4ever said:
Yup... I posted this as an issue on aftv news. If your rooted the new Hulu version will not work on your Amazon Fire TV. Please let us know if this method fixes the problem.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The wife is not happy with Hulu not working and honestly she needs a stock always working AFTV box.
Happy Wife Happy Life! After searching a few different ways I'm unable to find a stock nonrooted 5.2.4.2 zip.
Might anyone know where I can download to flash via TWRP?

I can report same issue, it also effects newer versions of HBO GO

I've got a rooted fully unlocked bootloader FireTV 1 and am using version 4.0.0.342 as reported by Titanium Backup with no problems. What specifically shouldn't I be able to do? My hulu account is ad-free. Perhaps you guys are running an adblocker and do not have an ad-free hulu subscription?
Here's the 4.0.0.342 apk from my Fire TV: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mgvqg1ugzhrjpr5/com.hulu.plus-FireTV-4.0.0.342.apk?dl=0
Here's the old 3.2.a version from my other FireTV: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xw9rv2nxet2lchu/com.hulu.plus-FireTV-3.2.a.apk?dl=0

I am looking into this. If it is what I think, it would only be effecting the Fire TV 2 and has nothing to do with root.

Sizzlechest said:
Can you confirm that the apk I provided is the older version? I've already upgraded and everything works fine on my Fire TV 1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok - Here are my findings. I attempted to install the 4.0.xxx version on both of my AFTV2 (sloane) boxes. Neither box would play videos (although the app booted and appeared to run correctly initially). Both are rooted with one running 5.2.4.2 and the other running 5.2.1.1.
After unsuccessful attempts of trying out the v4 app on both boxes, I uninstalled the apk, then rebooted.
Installed 3.2.a and success! Both units work as they should.
Although they are not the newest version of the app, I am able to play back video - so that is a plus
This version will not have the new Hulu Live or the separate account access to the app.
For anyone else experiencing this problem, here is the process I would recommend to solve this:
1. Download earlier version (3.2.a) of Hulu app (see Sizzlechest's link posted earlier)
2. Uninstall current non-working Hulu app.
3. Make sure your app automatic updates are set to OFF by going to Settings>Applications>Appstore>Automatic Updates - OFF
4. Reboot Device (may not be necessary, but what does it hurt?)
5. Connect to device via adb
6. Install Hulu 3.2.a.apk via command "adb install com.hulu.plus-FireTV2-3.2.a.apk" - keep in mind this only works if you did not rename the apk from Sizzlechest when you downloaded it.
7. Profit
You will need to re-logon to the Hulu app.
Thanks for everyone's help on this one! A real community effort.
Looking forward to rbox's discoveries on this subject. Thanks for all of your hard work on this and all of the other projects you've been a part of.

Sizzlechest said:
I've got a rooted fully unlocked bootloader FireTV 1 and am using version 4.0.0.342 as reported by Titanium Backup with no problems. What specifically shouldn't I be able to do? My hulu account is ad-free. Perhaps you guys are running an adblocker and do not have an ad-free hulu subscription?
Here's the 4.0.0.342 apk from my Fire TV: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mgvqg1ugzhrjpr5/com.hulu.plus-FireTV-4.0.0.342.apk?dl=0
Here's the old 3.2.a version from my other FireTV: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xw9rv2nxet2lchu/com.hulu.plus-FireTV-3.2.a.apk?dl=0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, forgot to address this Sizzle.
I DO have the add-free version of Hulu, but not the newer Hulu Live subscription. I am not running any adblocker software.

Okay. I have a theory on why both Hulu and HBO are not working. Like I said this is going to be a Fire TV 2 only thing. If someone is willing to try a fix, please PM me. Do note, this might brick the box. I really don't know. And if it bricks, it'll be super dead. But, there is a slim chance the unbrick program could revive it, so I would prefer someone who has a box that was rooted with my preloader instructions and not KingoRoot. But, if you don't care, and you didn't use the preloader instructions, and want to try anyway, there definitely won't be any way to recover it. I will say this again. If you try this fix, there is a chance it might brick the box. Just want to make that clear.

Is there a specific apk version (link) for hbo now that people have had success installing?

ducksoup18 said:
Is there a specific apk version (link) for hbo now that people have had success installing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry Duck, but I am not aware of the HBO Now app - I use Prime channels for my HBO subscription.
In the case of the Hulu app, I had to revert to the previous whole number version of app in order for it to work - V4.x.x.xxx --> V3.x.xxx
My suggestion is to just try some different versions in a fairly methodical way and see what works. It's fairly easy to install and uninstall via adb and only takes a few min.
Also, be sure to turn off automatic updating in the Appstore (different than updates for system), otherwise your app will just update itself again to the newer version and you'll be stuck.
Hopefully rbox will use his magical powers and get us an answer to all of our troubles soon. :fingers-crossed:

Thanks for the reply @chadster1976. Was able to get things to work by downloading an earlier version of HBO Now from the same place you guys suggested. Thanks again! Was able to watch GOT lastnight again on my main TV.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=73144047&postcount=412

rbox said:
Okay. I have a theory on why both Hulu and HBO are not working. Like I said this is going to be a Fire TV 2 only thing. If someone is willing to try a fix, please PM me. Do note, this might brick the box. I really don't know. And if it bricks, it'll be super dead. But, there is a slim chance the unbrick program could revive it, so I would prefer someone who has a box that was rooted with my preloader instructions and not KingoRoot. But, if you don't care, and you didn't use the preloader instructions, and want to try anyway, there definitely won't be any way to recover it. I will say this again. If you try this fix, there is a chance it might brick the box. Just want to make that clear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm willing to test as I have spare AFTV devices just in case. Just sent you a PM @rbox

So I downloaded @rbox 5.2.4.2 deleted the SU directory inside the zip as instructed, then wiped everything possible 3x upon which I cleanly reinstalled 5.2.4.2 and Hulu still does not work on my non rooted AFTV 2 Box. Direct TV Now works perfectly without installing HideMyRoot so maybe this is truly just a Hulu issue on AFTV 2 Boxes. @AFTVnews.com

tekno4ever said:
So I downloaded @rbox 5.2.4.2 deleted the SU directory inside the zip as instructed, then wiped everything possible 3x upon which I cleanly reinstalled 5.2.4.2 and Hulu still does not work on my non rooted AFTV 2 Box. Direct TV Now works perfectly without installing HideMyRoot so maybe this is truly just a Hulu issue on AFTV 2 Boxes. @AFTVnews.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure Tekno. I was on chat 3 separate occasions with the Hulu tech support team and they claimed this had only been a rare occurrence... Take that however you want to... The extent of their assistance was resetting everything - including router, modem, etc. Then the final thing they suggested was a factory reset. I eventually did try that after updating to the latest firmware version from rbox. Needless to say that did not work. They couldn't help me with downgrading to the previous working version of the app, which is why I started this thread here on XDA.