# Troubleshooting

#### "Invalid or expired API key!"

**Possible Causes:**

* API key is incorrect (typo or copy/paste error)
* API key has extra spaces or characters
* YouTube Data API v3 not enabled
* API key restrictions too strict

**Solutions:**

1. **Verify API key is correct:**

```bash
   # Check for extra spaces
   /sl youtube setup AIzaSy...  # Wrong (space at end)
   /sl youtube setup AIzaSy...   # Wrong (extra spaces)
   /sl youtube setup AIzaSy...  # Correct (no extra spaces)
```

2. **Test API key manually:**

```
   https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/search?part=id&maxResults=1&q=test&type=video&key=YOUR_KEY
```

* If this works in browser, key is valid
* If it fails, regenerate the key

3. **Check API is enabled:**
   * Go to [APIs & Services → Library](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/library)
   * Search "YouTube Data API v3"
   * Ensure it says "Manage" (not "Enable")
4. **Check API restrictions:**
   * Go to APIs & Services → Credentials
   * Click your API key
   * Verify "API restrictions" includes "YouTube Data API v3"
   * If "Application restrictions" is set, try "None" temporarily
5. **Regenerate API key:**
   * Delete the old key in Google Cloud Console
   * Create a new one following Step 3
   * Update StreamLink: `/sl youtube setup <new_key>`

***

#### "No active live stream found. You must be currently streaming..."

**Possible Causes:**

* You're not actually streaming yet
* Stream is scheduled but not started
* Stream just started (not fully initialized)
* Stream must be "**Public**"
* Channel ID is incorrect

**Solutions:**

1. **Verify you're streaming:**
   * Go to [YouTube Studio](https://studio.youtube.com/)
   * Check that your stream shows as "Live" (not "Scheduled")
   * Stream indicator should be red/active
2. **Wait for stream to initialize:**
   * After clicking "Go Live", wait 30-60 seconds
   * Stream needs time to fully start
   * Try connecting again after waiting
3. **Check your Channel ID:**

```bash
   # Verify it's correct (24 chars starting with UC)
   /sl youtube set UCa1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2m3n
```

* Go to YouTube Studio → Settings → Channel → Advanced
* Compare with your configured Channel ID
* Update if different

4. **Check stream visibility:**
   * StreamLink works with Public and Unlisted streams
   * Private streams are not tested/supported
5. **Try manual search:**
   * Open your channel in a browser
   * Look for the "Live" indicator
   * If not visible, stream isn't active yet

***

#### "Live chat is not enabled on your current stream."

**Possible Causes:**

* Chat is disabled in stream settings
* Chat was disabled mid-stream
* Stream type doesn't support chat

**Solutions:**

1. **Enable chat in stream settings:**
   * Go to [YouTube Studio](https://studio.youtube.com/) → Live dashboard
   * Click on your active stream
   * Scroll to "Chat" section
   * Ensure **"Enable chat"** is checked
   * Click "Save"
2. **Check stream type:**
   * Regular live streams support chat
   * Some mobile live streams may have chat disabled
   * Verify stream is set up correctly
3. **Restart the stream (if needed):**
   * If chat was disabled, enabling it may require stream restart
   * End current stream
   * Start new stream with chat enabled
   * Reconnect StreamLink
4. **Verify chat is visible:**
   * Open your stream in a browser
   * Confirm you can see the chat panel
   * Try sending a test message manually

***

#### "Already connected!"

**Cause:** You're already connected to YouTube chat

**Solution:**

```bash
# Disconnect first, then reconnect
/sl youtube disconnect
/sl youtube connect
```

***

#### Messages Not Appearing

**Possible Causes:**

* Polling hasn't occurred yet (wait 5-10 seconds)
* Connection dropped silently
* API quota exceeded
* Network issues

**Solutions:**

1. **Wait for polling cycle:**
   * Messages appear every \~5 seconds
   * Wait at least 10 seconds after connecting
2. **Check connection status:**

```bash
   # Open dashboard to check status
   /sl ui
```

* Status should show a green dot (connected)
* If red, reconnect: `/sl youtube connect`

3. **Try full reconnect:**

```bash
   /sl youtube disconnect
   /sl youtube connect
```

4. **Check API quota:**
   * Go to Google Cloud Console → APIs & Services → Dashboard
   * Click "YouTube Data API v3"
   * Check "Queries per day" usage
   * If at 100%, you've exceeded quota
5. **Check server console:**
   * Look for `[YouTube]` error messages
   * Look for `[YouTubeAuth]` validation messages
   * Report errors to GitHub Issues if persistent

***

#### API Quota Exceeded

**Cause:** You've used all 10,000 API units for the day

**Immediate Solutions:**

1. **Wait for quota reset:**
   * Quota resets at midnight Pacific Time (PT)
   * Check current quota in Google Cloud Console
2. **Disconnect to stop usage:**

```bash
   /sl youtube disconnect
```

**Long-Term Solutions:**

1. **Request quota increase:**
   * Go to [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/)
   * Navigate to APIs & Services → Quotas
   * Find "YouTube Data API v3" → "Queries per day"
   * Click pencil icon → "Request quota increase"
   * Fill out form with justification
   * Google typically responds in 1-3 days
2. **Create multiple projects:**
   * Each Google Cloud project has its own quota
   * Create additional projects for more daily quota
   * Switch between API keys as needed
3. **Optimize streaming schedule:**
   * Disconnect immediately when ending stream
   * Avoid test connects when not streaming
   * Stream during off-peak hours if shared quota

***

#### Connection Drops/Disconnects

**Possible Causes:**

* Stream ended
* Network issues
* API errors
* Server restart

**Solutions:**

1. **Check stream status:**
   * Verify stream is still live
   * If ended, restart stream and reconnect
2. **Reconnect manually:**

```bash
   /sl youtube connect
```

3. **Check server logs:**
   * Look for error messages in console
   * Note any `[YouTube]` error patterns
4. **Verify network connectivity:**
   * Test server internet connection
   * Check firewall isn't blocking YouTube API
   * Verify DNS resolution works


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