Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi: Build a Full Media Center
Turn your Raspberry Pi into a powerful media center with Kodi — play local videos, music, photos, and stream from dozens of add-ons, all from your TV.
What Is Kodi?
Kodi is a free, open-source media center application that organizes and plays your local media library — movies, TV shows, music, photos — and extends via add-ons to stream from online sources. It runs on nearly everything, but Raspberry Pi is one of the most popular platforms for it.
Two Ways to Run Kodi on Pi
Option A: LibreELEC (recommended for dedicated media centers) LibreELEC is a minimal Linux OS built specifically for Kodi. It boots directly into Kodi in seconds and uses minimal resources. Best if the Pi will only be used as a media center.
Option B: Kodi on Raspberry Pi OS Install Kodi as an app on top of Raspberry Pi OS. Best if you want to use the Pi for other things too.
This guide covers both.
Option A: LibreELEC (Recommended)
Step 1: Flash LibreELEC
- Download Raspberry Pi Imager
- Click Choose OS → Media player OS → LibreELEC
- Select your Pi model
- Select your SD card
- Write the image
Step 2: First Boot
Insert the SD card, connect HDMI and power. LibreELEC boots directly into the Kodi setup wizard in about 20 seconds.
Follow the wizard:
- Set hostname (e.g.
kodi-pi) - Connect to Wi-Fi
- Enable SSH if you want remote access
That’s it. You’re in Kodi.
Option B: Kodi on Raspberry Pi OS
Step 1: Install Kodi
On a running Raspberry Pi OS:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y kodiStep 2: Run Kodi
Launch from the desktop menu, or from terminal:
kodiStep 3: Auto-start Kodi on Boot (Optional)
To launch Kodi automatically when the Pi boots:
sudo nano /etc/rc.localAdd before exit 0:
su pi -c 'kodi --standalone' &Setting Up Your Media Library
Add a Local Source
- In Kodi, go to Movies (or TV Shows / Music)
- Click Enter files section → Add videos
- Browse to your media folder (USB drive, NAS, or local path)
- Let Kodi scan and download metadata automatically
Add a Network Share (NAS / Samba)
- Add videos → Browse → Add network location
- Protocol: SMB (Windows network)
- Enter your NAS IP, share name, username, and password
- Kodi mounts it and scans your library
Essential Settings
Resolution: Settings → System → Display → Resolution → 1920×1080 or 3840×2160
HDR: Settings → System → Display → Enable HDR (Pi 4/5 only)
Audio passthrough: Settings → System → Audio → Enable passthrough → choose your audio device
Hardware acceleration: Settings → Player → Videos → Allow hardware acceleration (reduces CPU load for H.265)
Useful Add-ons
Install from Add-ons → Download → Video add-ons:
| Add-on | What it does |
|---|---|
| YouTube | Stream YouTube directly in Kodi |
| Plex for Kodi | Access your Plex library |
| Twitch | Watch live streams |
| SoundCloud | Music streaming |
| Weather | Display weather on the home screen |
Remote Control Options
- Kodi Remote (iOS/Android) — official app, works over Wi-Fi
- CEC — if your TV supports HDMI-CEC, your TV remote controls Kodi automatically
- Keyboard shortcuts — space to play/pause, F to fullscreen, Backspace to go back
Troubleshooting
Video stuttering: Enable hardware acceleration. Check resolution matches your TV.
No sound: Check audio settings → select the correct output device (HDMI or analog).
Library not updating: Go to Videos → Library → Update Library.
Add-on not working: Many third-party add-ons break when they rely on external services. Stick to official add-ons from the Kodi repository.