How to Fix “Failed to Install a Dependency” on Kodi 2025 Quick Guide By Experts

Fix “Failed to Install a Dependency” on Kodi: In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll walk you through how to fix the “Failed to install a dependency” error on Kodi version 18.9. This issue typically arises when you attempt to install a Kodi addon, but one or more required dependencies are missing or fail to install properly.

How to Fix the “Failed to Install a Dependency” Error on Kodi

Kodi is a powerful media player that not only plays media stored on your local device but also streams content from online sources. One of Kodi’s biggest strengths is its support for third-party addons. These addons make it possible to access a wide range of movies, shows, live TV, and more by fetching stream links from various sources across the internet. However, Kodi addons don’t work independently—they rely on dependencies, which are external services or scripts that help addons function correctly.

Most addons need multiple dependencies to gather and organize streaming links. For example, when you install addons like Exodus Redux, Covenant, or Yoda, Kodi will attempt to install all the necessary dependencies alongside them. If even one of these dependencies fails to install, you’ll see the error message: “Failed to install a dependency.” Without the required dependencies, the addon won’t function and the installation won’t complete. This guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue so you can get your addons up and running smoothly.

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Fix “Failed to Install a Dependency” on Kodi

I’ve come across the “Failed to install a dependency” error multiple times and after trying several methods, I’ve identified some reliable fixes. While the root cause can vary, one of the following solutions is likely to resolve the issue for you.

1. Clear the Kodi Cache

In many cases, simply clearing Kodi’s cache can fix this error without deleting your data, addons, or settings—making it a safer option than resetting Kodi entirely.The most efficient way to clear the cache is by using The Crew Wizard. If you haven’t installed it yet, you can do so through The Crew Repository by navigating to Program Add-ons. It’s a useful tool that can also help with other Kodi maintenance tasks.

Here’s how to clear the cache using The Crew Wizard:

  1. Launch The Crew Wizard by going to: Kodi Home > Add-ons > Program Add-ons The wizard interface will appear.
  2. Scroll down and select Cleaning Tools.
  3. Click Clear Cache.
  4. A prompt will appear asking for confirmation. Select Clear Cache again.
  5. Wait for a notification confirming that the cache has been cleared.

That’s it! Your cache has been successfully removed. On my system, the cache was only 67.19 KB because I had reinstalled Kodi recently and hadn’t added many addons yet. However, on older setups with larger caches, clearing it can help eliminate the “Failed to install a dependency” error. Regular cache cleaning can prevent a variety of performance issues and is a good practice for smooth Kodi usage.

2. Clear Kodi Data

If clearing the cache doesn’t solve the issue, the “Failed to install a dependency” error might be rooted in deeper issues. Instead of uninstalling and reinstalling Kodi completely, a more efficient option is to clear Kodi’s data, which resets it to factory settings and often resolves persistent problems. On FireStick, you can reset Kodi directly through the Settings menu. Alternatively, for all Kodi-supported devices, you can use The Crew Wizard to clear data safely.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Launch The Crew Wizard from your Kodi home screen.
  2. Scroll down and choose Cleaning Tools.
  3. Select Fresh Start.
  4. When prompted, click Continue to confirm.

The process may take a minute or two, depending on how much data needs to be cleared. Once completed, Kodi will reset to its default state and restart automatically. Keep in mind, this will remove all your installed addons—including The Crew Wizard itself—so you’ll need to reinstall any you want to keep.

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3. Remove and Rebuild the Kodi Database

Kodi’s internal database manages various components, including addon metadata. Over time, this database can become corrupted, leading to issues like “Failed to install a dependency” or general addon installation failures. The good news is, even with a corrupted database, Kodi usually remains usable. By deleting and allowing Kodi to rebuild the database, many errors can be fixed quickly.

Follow these steps to reset the Kodi database:

  1. From the Kodi home screen, click the Settings (gear icon) in the top-left corner.
  2. Select File Manager.
  3. Click Profile directory.
  4. Then, choose Database.
  5. Locate the file Addons27.db. Long-press (or right-click, depending on your device) to bring up the context menu, then select Delete.
  6. When prompted, confirm your action by clicking Yes.
  7. Exit Kodi and wait for about one minute. Then, reopen the app and try installing the addon again.

After restarting Kodi, go to Add-ons > My add-ons and manually re-enable any existing addons that may have been disabled during the reset process. By rebuilding the database, you refresh Kodi’s internal structure, which often resolves dependency-related issues.

4. Manually Install Kodi Dependencies

If other methods haven’t worked, a more direct approach is to manually install the required Kodi dependencies. This can often resolve the “Failed to install a dependency” error, and using the TVAddons Fusion repository is a reliable way to do it. In fact, it’s one of the more effective fixes and is worth trying early on.

Here’s how to manually install Kodi dependencies via the Fusion source:

  1. Go to the Kodi home screen and click the Settings (gear icon).
  2. On the next screen, choose System.
  3. Navigate to the Add-ons tab on the left, then enable Unknown sources to allow third-party installations.
  4. When prompted, click Yes to confirm.
  5. Press the back button to return to the settings menu and select File manager.
  6. Choose Add source.
  7. Click on <None> and enter the following URL exactly as shown:
  8. Click OK, then type a name for the source (for example, fusion) in the field provided.
  9. Click OK again to save the new source.
  10. Go back to the main menu, select Add-ons, and then click Install from zip file. Note for Kodi 19 Matrix and newer: You may see a warning prompt about installing add-ons from unknown sources. Click Yes to proceed.
  11. Choose the source name you just created (fusion).
  12. Open the kodi-scripts folder.
  13. Inside, you’ll find several .zip files that are commonly used as dependencies. Install each of them one by one.

Once all the necessary Kodi scripts and dependencies are installed, try reinstalling the addon that was previously giving you the error. This method resolves the issue in many cases by manually adding missing or outdated components.

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Fix “Kodi Dependencies Not Met” Error

The error “Kodi dependencies not met” is another common issue related to dependencies that deserves attention. This usually happens when you try to install or use an addon designed for a newer Kodi version on an older one. For example, you might encounter this error trying to install an addon made for Kodi 19 while running Kodi 18 or 17. While many updated addons remain compatible with older Kodi versions, not all do. Fortunately, this problem is relatively easy to fix — simply update Kodi to the latest version available.

Keep in mind that Kodi doesn’t support updating from within the app itself, so you will most likely need to perform a fresh installation. This means you will lose your existing data, settings, and installed addons. The error “The dependency on version could not be satisfied” is similar to “Kodi dependencies not met” and usually can be resolved by updating Kodi. If the issue continues after updating, try the other troubleshooting methods discussed earlier.

Check the Kodi Log File

If none of the solutions work, I recommend checking the Kodi error log file. The log provides detailed information about what might be causing the problem. Kodi offers several addons that allow you to view the log and even upload it online. When reviewing the log, look for the “failed to install dependency” message. If you can’t identify the root cause, sharing the log with Kodi experts can help you get better assistance.

Conclusion

Dependencies are essential components that addons rely on to fetch streams and content for you on Kodi. From my experience, the “failed to install a dependency” error doesn’t occur often, but when it does, it can be frustrating. The troubleshooting methods shared above have helped me resolve this error multiple times, and they should help you as well. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below!

FAQs

What does the “Kodi dependencies not met” error mean?

The “Kodi dependencies not met” error typically occurs when an addon designed for a newer version of Kodi is installed on an older Kodi version, causing incompatibility issues.

How do I fix the “Kodi dependencies not met” error?

You can fix this error by updating Kodi to the latest version since many addons require the newest Kodi updates to function correctly.

Can I update Kodi from within the app to fix dependency issues?

No, Kodi does not support internal updates through the app, so you will need to perform a fresh installation of the latest version, which will reset your settings and remove existing addons.

What should I do if updating Kodi does not fix the dependency error?

If updating Kodi doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try other troubleshooting methods such as clearing Kodi cache, clearing data, reinstalling dependencies manually, or checking the Kodi log file for errors.

How can checking the Kodi log file help with dependency errors?

The Kodi log file records detailed error messages that can help identify what is causing the “failed to install dependency” problem, making it easier to troubleshoot or seek help from Kodi experts.

Are there any Kodi addons to view the error log?

Yes, Kodi offers several addons that allow you to view and even upload the log file online, helping you better diagnose issues related to dependencies and other errors.

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