Troubleshooting:
Need Help With Pledge-Free Stream?
For Pledge-Free Stream help, visit our Pledge-Free Stream FAQ.
The audio pauses, stutters or doesn’t play at all — what should I do?
Please check your internet connection, as ‘buffering’ or ‘connecting’ issues could be due to very weak Wi-Fi or poor data service.
To help avoid the dreaded buffering stalls while listening, here are some steps you can take. Close down any other bandwidth-heavy applications. Other computer users on the network can also cause your Internet radio stream to buffer too often. If you’re accessing the internet via Wi-Fi, constant buffering may mean that you don’t have a strong connection to the network. Moving closer to the signal source or removing barriers between you and the signal can improve signal strength. Try loading other media to test your connection. If everything else is slow, that points to a connection issue on your end.
If you determine your connection is slower than usual, try rebooting your device or your router (wait at least 60 seconds after shutdown before restarting your router).
Check to make sure your computer isn’t downloading something in the background. Check the Task Manager on Windows (summoned by pressing control-alt-delete) or Activity Monitor on MacOS, and look for network statistics (it’s labelled “Network”on MacOS, “Networking” on Windows).
If you are using the KQED App, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
Try using another method of listening to see if it helps
For example, if using the KQED App on your mobile device, try using the Live Player on KQED.org; or the NPR One App, TuneIn App, or iHeart (all these are free). If you’re on your computer, try switching to a different browser or using TuneIn, or another player.
If you’re using ad-blocking software, try turning it off or unblocking these two domains:
adswizz.com
lbdns-streamguys.com
If you have the “do not disturb” setting turned on to conserve your charge, try turning it off.
“Do not disturb” can cause connection issues on phones.
Are you listening at work?
Your company may have a firewall enabled to securely protect its internal data, which can prevent external streaming. If this is the case, please contact the IT department of your company.
Try updating your browser
Check to see if there are any available upgrades to your web browser. You can also try switching to a different web browser. Download current browser versions for free:
Download Firefox for PC, Mac or Linux
Download Safari for Mac
Download Chrome for PC or Mac
Download Internet Explorer for PC
Try restarting your device
Some listeners have been able to solve streaming problems by simply restarting their computer, phone, or other device.
Still having trouble? Please fill out this form with information that will help us troubleshoot, and we will get in touch to assist you!
Sponsor Ad Constantly Repeats on KQED Mobile App
If you are hearing the live stream pre-roll sponsor ad repeat too frequently, please try clearing the cache and data for the KQED App on your phone, or uninstalling and reinstalling the app. If the problem persists, please fill out a problem report form.
How often should the live radio stream sponsor ad repeat?
How Does the KQED Live Radio Player Work?
After you press the red play button, audio will continue to play as you move around KQED.org, and the “smart” player will be available at the top of most pages.
Get the latest newscasts from KQED and NPR… but what is the difference?
KQED newscasts are nearly hourly during the day, seven days a week. They’re produced by KQED and our local Northern California reporters.
NPR newscasts are national and international news headlines updated hourly. Meet the NPR staff.
What are some other options I have for listening to the KQED live radio stream?
There are many apps and devices available that can play the KQED live stream. Some may use a built-in directories with search to locate the stream, others may ask you to enter in a stream URL manually.
Here are some choices for the KQED stream URL, devices have varying requirements:
https://streams.kqed.org
https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio
https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio.mp3
https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio.m3u
iOS Apps
KQED App (Please note the KQED Mobile app requires iOS 10.0 and above. 32bit iPad mini 2 or 3, iPhone 4, or iPod Touch 5 are not supported.)
NPR One
TuneIn Radio
iHeart Radio
Android Apps
KQED App
NPR One
TuneIn Radio
iHeart Radio
KQED Mobile App Beta Testers Needed!
We now have a program to help us get more feedback before we release new features to the KQED mobile app. Our aim is to improve the reliability and overall performance of the app.
Sign up to be a KQED mobile app beta tester
Desktop Computer
NPR One
TuneIn
iHeart Radio
Apple Music
(paid subscription)
Smart Speakers – Alexa & Google Home
One of the fastest and easiest way to listen to KQED is using voice commands with your “smart speaker.” Learn Smart Speaker commands and skills for listening to KQED’s latest news, live stream and podcasts.
How can I access KQED’s Podcasts?
Our handy Podcast directory showcases KQED podcasts as well as the most popular national NPR programs. Get answers to your questions on our Podcast Help page.
See RSS feed options for KQED-produced programs.
The stream has stopped working on Grace Digital, C.Crane internet radios
Unfortunately, the tuning system that some internet radios — including but not limited to C.Crane and Grace — use to access radio stations, Reciva Internet Radio Platform, shut down on April 30, 2021. Please see this article for more details on Reciva and what your alternatives are.
Looking for general information about KQED radio programs?
Need help finding out which program you heard at a specific time? Which programs are produced by KQED? Answers to those questions and more can be found on our Radio Program FAQs page.
But what about reception problems on my good old-fashioned tabletop radio on 88.5FM?
Get more information than you ever wanted to know on our Over-the-Air Radio Reception Help page. You can also view the radio transmitter status. You can find KQED on the dial at 88.5FM in the San Francisco Bay Area or 89.3FM in the Sacramento area.
Still have questions about the new audio player or need general listening help?
Please fill out this problem report form with information that will help us troubleshoot, and we will get in touch to assist you!