Last updated: 13 September 2025 GMT
If RTÉ Player won’t load on your smart TV in Ireland, fix the clock/time-zone, clear the app cache (or reinstall), use 5 GHz non-DFS (36/40/44/48) or Ethernet, and confirm your app store/account region is Ireland. Lawful use only—no geo-bypass.
Quick wins
- Time & time-zone: set to GMT / Dublin with automatic network time.
- Network: connect the TV to 5 GHz (non-DFS 36/40/44/48 at 40 MHz) or use Ethernet.
- App refresh: force-quit, clear cache/data (if available), then reopen. If needed, reinstall RTÉ Player.
- Region: App Store/Account region must be set to Ireland; avoid sideloads/region hacks.
- Power-cycle: unplug TV and router for 10–20s; plug back in, wait 1–2 minutes, retry.
Step-by-step (works for most TVs)
- Sync date & time to Automatic and GMT/Dublin. On many TVs this is under General → System → Date & Time.
- Stabilise network:
- Wi-Fi: join your 5 GHz SSID; on the router, lock to 36/40/44/48 at 40 MHz; split SSIDs so the TV doesn’t roam to 2.4 GHz.
- Ethernet: wire the TV or a nearby mesh node (with wired backhaul) to the router.
- Refresh the app:
- LG webOS: Settings → Apps → RTÉ Player → Clear cache (if available) → Force stop → reopen. If needed, remove & reinstall from the LG Content Store (IE).
- Samsung Tizen: Home → Apps → RTÉ Player → Options → Reinstall (or Remove, then Install) from the Samsung (IE) store.
- Android/Google TV: Settings → Apps → RTÉ Player → Force stop → Storage → Clear cache/data → reopen or reinstall from Play Store (IE).
- Apple TV: Press and hold the app → Delete → reinstall from the Irish App Store; make sure your Apple ID region is Ireland.
- Update firmware: run TV OS/app updates well before a match—avoid updating minutes before kickoff.
- Test: open RTÉ Player and play any clip for 2–3 minutes. If it fails, proceed to Troubleshooting below.
Ireland-specific tips
- DFS channels (52+) may hop due to radar; for live events prefer 36/40/44/48.
- Apartment blocks: split SSIDs so the TV stays on 5 GHz; avoid combined “smart connect”.
- Match day: pause cloud backups/downloads on other devices to free bandwidth.
Troubleshooting
“Service not available” / stuck logo
Usually time or cache. Re-set time to GMT with Automatic ON; force-quit RTÉ Player; clear cache; reopen.
App missing on the TV store
Change the TV’s services country/account region to Ireland and reboot. Avoid DNS/region hacks.
Playback starts, then spins
Move to Ethernet or lock the router to 36/40/44/48 @ 40 MHz. Try another non-DFS channel if congestion persists.
Related Ireland-specific guides
- Samsung Tizen: app won’t update in Ireland
- LG webOS: app not showing in Ireland
- DNS for privacy & stability (no VPN) in Ireland
Official sources
Ireland-specific, lawful use only. We don’t list channels or advise geo-bypass.