Decoder Errors

Decoder-related issues in the Bitmovin Android Player SDK indicate that the device’s hardware or software decoder failed to initialize, decode, or support the media stream. This page provides per-error explanations and links to troubleshooting resources.

ℹ️

Due to the fragmented device landscape within the Android ecosystem, occasional decoder errors are expected, especially on lower-end or less common devices. The Bitmovin Android SDK includes features to help recover playback when this occurs.

2101 — DecoderGeneral

The error indicates that the decoder operation failed without a more specific subtype.
This error can originate from lower-level platform components and may be triggered by:

Common causes:

• A generic failure that could not be categorised further.
• Decoder query failures — the player was unable to query available codecs or capabilities from the Android MediaCodecList.
• AudioTrack initialization failures — the audio output track could not be created or configured (for example, due to unsupported sample rates or channel layouts).
• AudioTrack write operation failures — data could not be written to the audio output device, often caused by buffer underruns or hardware-level output issues.

Next steps:

• Investigate error frequency and distribution in Bitmovin Analytics
• Decoder Workarounds & Fallback Configurations
• General Diagnostics

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2102 — DecoderInitialization

The decoder could not be created or configured.
Common causes:

• Vendor codec configuration failure
• Limited resources, e.g. the required decoder is already used by a different player instance/ app

Next steps:

• Investigate error frequency and distribution in Bitmovin Analytics
• Adjust videoCodecPriority or DecoderConfig. See Decoder Workarounds & Fallback Configurations for details.
• Try re-using the DRM session for clear streams when switching between DRM protected and clear content
• Disable main content decoding during ads when using using client side ad playback on single decoder devices
• Use software decoder if feasible

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2103 — DecodingFailed

The decoder started but failed during playback.

Common causes:

• Corrupt or unsupported bitstream segment
• Exceeds runtime constraints (bitrate/fps/bit depth)
• Surface rebind or backgrounding issues

Next steps:

• Investigate error frequency and distribution in Bitmovin Analytics
• Test lower resolution / alternate codec on affected devices
• Capture logs to determine a root cause

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2104 — DecodingUnsupported

The requested format is not supported by any decoder on the device. Try

Next steps:

• Confirm via cmd media.codec list
• Try fallback to a supported codec

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2105 — DecodingExceedsCapabilities

The device supports the codec but not the requested level, resolution, or bitrate.

Next steps:

• Investigate error frequency and distribution in Bitmovin Analytics
• Cap ABR renditions to a lower rendition by setting the maxSelectableVideoBitrate