Difference between revisions of "Report bugs"

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= Reporting a bug =
+
__NOTOC__
 +
{{howto|report a VLC bug}}
 +
 
 +
:''Android users, please see [[Android Report bugs]].''
 +
 
 +
= Reporting a VLC bug =
 
 
 
 
−
If you find any bugs, or if you experience any crashes, then we would very much like to hear about the issue. Here is some detailed information on how to submit useful bug reports.
+
If you find any bugs, or if you experience any crashes, then we would '''very much''' like to hear about the issue.
  
−
Follow the bugs policy.
+
Here is some ''detailed'' information on how to submit useful bug reports. Please try to follow the bugs policy, so we all save time.
  
 
== Is it truly a new bug? ==
 
== Is it truly a new bug? ==
 +
It may seem silly, but a large proportion of the submitted bug reports are not really bugs at all, or have been known for months, and/or are already fixed.
  
−
It may sound strange, but many of the bug reports we get are not really bugs at all, or have been known for months, and/or are already fixed.
+
To avoid that, please check the following:
  
−
Please check the following:
 
 
=== Version ===
 
=== Version ===
−
''Are you using the latest version of VLC?'' Bug reports on older versions of VLC are likely to be ignored, because changes in the program may make it impossible to reproduce the bug, or it may have already been fixed. Always make sure the issue you want to report is still present in the current version of VLC.
+
''Are you using the latest version of VLC?'' The latest version is '''{{VLC:latest_version}}'''.
 +
 
 +
Bug reports on older versions of VLC are likely to be ignored, because changes in newer versions of VLC may have already fixed the issue.
  
 
=== Preferences ===
 
=== Preferences ===
 
''Have you tried resetting your preferences and restarting VLC yet?''
 
''Have you tried resetting your preferences and restarting VLC yet?''
−
Old preferences and/or incorrect settings are common causes of problems.
 
  
−
Read the [[Frequently Asked Questions|FAQ]] for details on how to do this (Uninstalling VLC does not remove its old settings).
+
Old preferences and/or incorrect settings are common causes of problems.<br />
−
Double check that your issue still exists afterward.
+
See [[VSG:ResetPrefs]] for details on how to delete your preferences. (Uninstalling VLC does not remove its old settings).
 +
 
 +
=== Nightly builds ===
 +
Before you file a new bug, please try a preview development build of our next version on our [http://nightlies.videolan.org '''nightly build'''] website. The bug may already be fixed in those builds.
  
−
=== Features ===
+
=== New Features ===
−
Some things are simply NOT supported by VLC. We have a [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.html list of supported features] and
+
Some things are simply not yet supported by VLC. We have a [https://code.videolan.org/videolan/vlc/-/issues?label_name%5B%5D=Type%3A%3Aenhancement&sort=priority list of things] we would like to implement in the future.
−
a [https://trac.videolan.org/vlc/query?action=view&amp;type=enhancement&amp;order=priority list of things] we would like to implement in the future.  
+
−
If your suggestion is not on this list, you might want to make a ''feature request'' in the [http://forum.videolan.org/viewforum.php?f=7 Requests Forum], to ask the developers to support this. Remember that we all do this in our spare time. There is no timeline whatsoever for the implementation of these enhancements and we do not make ANY promises as to when we will add them to VLC, if ever. If you really want something right now, you had best implement it yourself.
+
If your suggestion is not on this list, you might want to make a ''feature request'' bug on [https://code.videolan.org/videolan/vlc/-/issues/ GitLab].
−
Join us on the [[Developers Corner]]
 
  
 
=== Closed bugs ===
 
=== Closed bugs ===
−
Many bugs are already known. Sometimes they are already fixed for the next version of VLC. Please [https://trac.videolan.org/vlc/search?q=&amp;ticket=on search] the list of known and fixed issues. If you find your issue, see if it is already closed. The page of the issue will then show something like:
+
Many bugs are already known. Sometimes they are already fixed for the next version of VLC, see the nightly builds section.
  
−
''Ticket #87 (Closed: fixed)''
+
Please [https://code.videolan.org/videolan/vlc/-/issues/ search] the list of known and fixed issues. If you find your issue, see if it is already closed. The page of the issue will say so if it is.
  
 
== Still a bug? ==
 
== Still a bug? ==
Line 37: Line 45:
 
Search on this wiki and on the [http://forum.videolan.org forums] and see if someone else has asked a similar question or has seen a similar bug.
 
Search on this wiki and on the [http://forum.videolan.org forums] and see if someone else has asked a similar question or has seen a similar bug.
  
−
=== Forum ===
 
 
Ask about your problem in the [http://forum.videolan.org/ relevant forum]  and make sure to include as much information as possible (see the pointers below).  You can also describe your problem on the [http://www.videolan.org/support/lists.html relevant mailing list].
 
Ask about your problem in the [http://forum.videolan.org/ relevant forum]  and make sure to include as much information as possible (see the pointers below).  You can also describe your problem on the [http://www.videolan.org/support/lists.html relevant mailing list].
  
−
=== Enter the bug in trac ===
+
=== Enter the bug in the VLC GitLab ===
−
If you are sure that you found a bug and that you have all information needed, you can enter a bug in our [https://trac.videolan.org/vlc/ Trac system]. You will need to register here to enter a bug. Don't forget to enter a valid e-mail address if you want to receive notifications when your bug is handled.
+
If you are sure that you found a bug and that you have all information needed, you can enter a bug in our [https://code.videolan.org/videolan/vlc/-/issues/ GitLab].
 +
 
 +
You will need to register a user account before you can file a new bug (or comment on an existing one). Don't forget to enter a valid e-mail address if you want to receive notifications when your bug is handled.
 +
 
 +
= Sending a bug report =
 +
When you post on the forum, email us, or create a bug report, please provide as much information as possible in your report.
  
−
= Send a report =
+
We try to answer all your mails, posts and reports, but there are so many that we simply do not have the time to do so for everyone.
−
When you post on the forum, email us or enter a bug report, please provide as much information as possible in your report.
 
−
We try to answer all your mails, posts and reports, but there are so many that sometimes we simply do not have the time to do so. The more
 
−
sound details you provide about your issue, the better the chance that we will investigate it fully.
 
  
−
All the details are on [[VLC report]] page.
+
The more sound and concrete details you provide about your issue, the better the chances that we will investigate it fully.
  
 +
== Information to send ==
 
Please gather the following information and send it along with your report:
 
Please gather the following information and send it along with your report:
  
 +
# Your '''operating system''' and the precise version (include the Linux distribution, or the version of Windows).
 +
# Your {{VLC}} version.
 +
# The '''hardware''' you use. Make sure to name all the audio and video hardware in question that might be related to VLC's usage.<br />For instance: iMac G4 or Pentium4 with GeForce3, with an external USB dolby surround output device.
 +
# '''Complete logs''' as those from the messages dialog, '''verbosity to 2''' (GUI mode) or the -vvv switch (CLI mode)
 +
# The exact '''steps to reproduce''' the problem.<br />Please be as precise as possible. If you are uncomfortable with words, you may also use screenshots.
 +
# The reproducibility of the problem: does it occur every time? If not, how often?
 +
# If applicable, the type (movie, music, subtitle) and the '''format''' of the file being played. If known, also the codec(s) in the file.
 +
# If the bug is a crash or lock-up/freeze, the '''complete''' threaded '''symbolic''' stack trace of VLC at the time (see also [[debug]]ging).
 +
# If possible, the '''video sample''' in question:<br />If the issue is specific to a certain file, that is always very helpful, if not indispensible. In this case, please upload as much of the file as you can to our [http://streams.videolan.org/upload/ samples server].
 +
# '''Email''' with a valid reply address, if you are not using gitlab, so we can get back to you with possible additional questions.
 +
 +
= Filing a bug report =
 +
 +
If the problem is a software bug, rather than a support problem, then it is recommended to file a bug report with the listed infos above. Note that a single bug report must describe '''exactly one bug'''. If there are more than one bug, then as many separate bug reports should be filed.
 +
 +
Bugs with insufficient infos may be closed as incomplete (or invalid in the worst cases). VLC developers understand that the requested infos can be difficult to gather or provide. Indeed, producing a stack trace can be complex and time-consuming. And sharing sample files can pose confidentiality, privacy or piracy issues. However as a bug reporter you have to accept that the VLC developers cannot resolve bugs without sufficient infos for analysis.
 +
 +
Also please keep in mind that the VLC developers are not paid to solve your problems. There cannot be any warranty for any kind of timeline regarding resolution of a bug. On the one hand, some bugs have been fixed within minutes of being filed. On the other hand, some bugs have remained open for over a decade, with no signs of getting fixed any time soon. If you need express resolution, you should attempt to solve the problem yourself, or consider hiring a software consultant.
 +
 +
== Bug severities ==
 +
 +
=== blocker ===
 +
Impediment to software development, e.g. build breakage on most platforms, systematic crash at startup or when playing any file input.
 +
 +
=== critical ===
 +
Impediment to software release, e.g. security issue, crash in most basic and common use cases (i.e. more than 50% of user base), crash at exit.
 +
 +
=== major ===
 +
Basic feature not working, e.g. inputs other than file not working, file format or codec not rendered.
 +
 +
=== normal ===
 +
Expert feature not working, e.g. stream output problem, specific configuration option. Feature requests.
 +
 +
=== minor ===
 +
Problem that can be worked around easily or is really unimportant.
 +
 +
=== trivial ===
 +
Typing error. Self-explanatory bugfixes. Inconsequential compiler warnings.
 +
 +
== Bug priorities ==
 +
 +
If you have a high priority issue, you must provide a patch yourself, or arrange for someone to do so.
 +
The VideoLAN project and the VLC developers are not at your service (they do not get your money) and cannot satisfy all requests.
 +
 +
Keep in mind that '''abuse of "high" and "highest" priorities will only attract ill will'''.
 +
 +
== Bug resolutions ==
 +
 +
All bugs are initially filed in the ''new'', and without a ''resolution''. If/when a bug gets closed, the resolution must be filed. The following resolutions are currently used:
 +
 +
=== fixed ===
 +
The bug has been corrected in a newer version of VLC; the fixed version should be indicated under ''milestone''.
 +
 +
=== invalid ===
 +
The bug report is confusing, unintelligible or is not in English. Or the bug describes multiple separate issues in a single report. Or for any other reasons, the VLC developers are unable to analyze the bug report.
 +
 +
=== wontfix ===
 +
The VLC developers believe that the problem should not be addressed because it would cause more problems that it would solve, or is otherwise a bad idea. Alternatively, the VLC developers believe that the problem can fundamentally not be addressed, even if the concern is valid.
 +
 +
=== duplicate ===
 +
A report for the same problem has already been filed earlier. There is no need to keep multiple reports for a single problem. This does not necessarily mean that the bug is fixed yet.
 +
 +
=== worksforme ===
 +
In the specified circumstances, the VLC developers are not able to reproduce the described problem, or the described ''problem'' is actually the intended behaviour.
 +
 +
=== notvlc ===
 +
The reported problem seems like it might be real. However its root cause does not lie within the VLC code base, and therefore the VLC developers cannot fix it. The bug should probably be reported '''somewhere else'''.
  
−
# Email with a valid reply address, so we can get back to you with possible additional questions.
+
=== incomplete ===
−
# Your operating system and the version.
+
The bug report does not contain enough infos for the VLC developers to analyze the bug. See also above.
−
# Your {{VLC}} version.
 
−
# The hardware you use. Make sure to name all the audio and video hardware in question that might be related to VLC's usage.
 
−
For instance: iMac G4 or Pentium4 with GeForce3, with an external USB dolby surround output device.
 
−
# The exact '''situation''' in which the problem occurred. Please describe in as much detail as possible.
 
−
# Can you always '''reproduce''' the problem in a certain way?
 
−
# The type of movie you were playing. And whether or not the issue is present on other types of movies.
 
−
# If possible, the video sample in question:
 
−
If the issue is specific to a certain movie, it can help a lot if we have the movie itself. In this case please upload as much of the file as you can to our [ftp://streams.videolan.org/incoming FTP samples server]. Give the file a distinct name, and upload a text file with the same name in which you again describe the problem. Report this upload in your forum posting and tell us the name of your file. This will help expedite the finding of your sample.
 
  
 
== Additional remarks ==
 
== Additional remarks ==
 
If you can, or if it applies to you try to take into account the following.
 
If you can, or if it applies to you try to take into account the following.
  
−
===Windows users===
+
=== Windows users ===
 
You can send along the last VLC crash log. The file is called [[Crashdump]]. If you are familiar with '''gdb''', you can use it to give us more detailed crash info. [[Tutorial for gdb debug under Win32|Tutorial for GDB with Win32]]
 
You can send along the last VLC crash log. The file is called [[Crashdump]]. If you are familiar with '''gdb''', you can use it to give us more detailed crash info. [[Tutorial for gdb debug under Win32|Tutorial for GDB with Win32]]
  
 
If your bug is a crash, please try to reproduce and report using a [http://nightlies.videolan.org/build/win32/last/ -debug build].
 
If your bug is a crash, please try to reproduce and report using a [http://nightlies.videolan.org/build/win32/last/ -debug build].
  
−
===Mac OS X users===
+
=== Mac OS X users ===
 
Please send along the last part of ~/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/VLC.crash.log if you can. Many crashes of VLC are logged in this file. You can open the file from VLC by going to the menu Window and choosing Messages. Now click the "Open CrashLog" button.
 
Please send along the last part of ~/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/VLC.crash.log if you can. Many crashes of VLC are logged in this file. You can open the file from VLC by going to the menu Window and choosing Messages. Now click the "Open CrashLog" button.
 +
 
Please make sure you send the last crash (at the bottom of the file) and that it actually is the crash you described. The Date/Time field reports the time of the crash so that way you can check if it is the crash you experienced, or an earlier one.
 
Please make sure you send the last crash (at the bottom of the file) and that it actually is the crash you described. The Date/Time field reports the time of the crash so that way you can check if it is the crash you experienced, or an earlier one.
  
−
=== Compile problems ===
+
===Compile problems===
 
Make sure you have read the [[Developers_Corner]].
 
Make sure you have read the [[Developers_Corner]].
 
Give the full log showing the problem
 
Give the full log showing the problem
Line 84: Line 154:
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
  
−
* When dealing with a ./configure issue, please provide the generated config.log file.
+
* When dealing with a ./configure issue, please provide the generated config.log file.
 
* Your compiler brand and version may be relevant here as well.
 
* Your compiler brand and version may be relevant here as well.
  
Line 91: Line 161:
  
 
Adapted by [[User:J-b|Jean-Baptiste Kempf]] for this wiki.
 
Adapted by [[User:J-b|Jean-Baptiste Kempf]] for this wiki.
 +
 +
[[Category:Security]]

Latest revision as of 10:00, 17 April 2021


This page describes how to report a VLC bug. Other "how to" pages
Android users, please see Android Report bugs.

Reporting a VLC bug

If you find any bugs, or if you experience any crashes, then we would very much like to hear about the issue.

Here is some detailed information on how to submit useful bug reports. Please try to follow the bugs policy, so we all save time.

Is it truly a new bug?

It may seem silly, but a large proportion of the submitted bug reports are not really bugs at all, or have been known for months, and/or are already fixed.

To avoid that, please check the following:

Version

Are you using the latest version of VLC? The latest version is 3.0.12.

Bug reports on older versions of VLC are likely to be ignored, because changes in newer versions of VLC may have already fixed the issue.

Preferences

Have you tried resetting your preferences and restarting VLC yet?

Old preferences and/or incorrect settings are common causes of problems.
See VSG:ResetPrefs for details on how to delete your preferences. (Uninstalling VLC does not remove its old settings).

Nightly builds

Before you file a new bug, please try a preview development build of our next version on our nightly build website. The bug may already be fixed in those builds.

New Features

Some things are simply not yet supported by VLC. We have a list of things we would like to implement in the future.

If your suggestion is not on this list, you might want to make a feature request bug on GitLab.

Closed bugs

Many bugs are already known. Sometimes they are already fixed for the next version of VLC, see the nightly builds section.

Please search the list of known and fixed issues. If you find your issue, see if it is already closed. The page of the issue will say so if it is.

Still a bug?

So you still think you found a bug? Great!

Search

Search on this wiki and on the forums and see if someone else has asked a similar question or has seen a similar bug.

Ask about your problem in the relevant forum and make sure to include as much information as possible (see the pointers below). You can also describe your problem on the relevant mailing list.

Enter the bug in the VLC GitLab

If you are sure that you found a bug and that you have all information needed, you can enter a bug in our GitLab.

You will need to register a user account before you can file a new bug (or comment on an existing one). Don't forget to enter a valid e-mail address if you want to receive notifications when your bug is handled.

Sending a bug report

When you post on the forum, email us, or create a bug report, please provide as much information as possible in your report.

We try to answer all your mails, posts and reports, but there are so many that we simply do not have the time to do so for everyone.

The more sound and concrete details you provide about your issue, the better the chances that we will investigate it fully.

Information to send

Please gather the following information and send it along with your report:

  1. Your operating system and the precise version (include the Linux distribution, or the version of Windows).
  2. Your VLC media player version.
  3. The hardware you use. Make sure to name all the audio and video hardware in question that might be related to VLC's usage.
    For instance: iMac G4 or Pentium4 with GeForce3, with an external USB dolby surround output device.
  4. Complete logs as those from the messages dialog, verbosity to 2 (GUI mode) or the -vvv switch (CLI mode)
  5. The exact steps to reproduce the problem.
    Please be as precise as possible. If you are uncomfortable with words, you may also use screenshots.
  6. The reproducibility of the problem: does it occur every time? If not, how often?
  7. If applicable, the type (movie, music, subtitle) and the format of the file being played. If known, also the codec(s) in the file.
  8. If the bug is a crash or lock-up/freeze, the complete threaded symbolic stack trace of VLC at the time (see also debugging).
  9. If possible, the video sample in question:
    If the issue is specific to a certain file, that is always very helpful, if not indispensible. In this case, please upload as much of the file as you can to our samples server.
  10. Email with a valid reply address, if you are not using gitlab, so we can get back to you with possible additional questions.

Filing a bug report

If the problem is a software bug, rather than a support problem, then it is recommended to file a bug report with the listed infos above. Note that a single bug report must describe exactly one bug. If there are more than one bug, then as many separate bug reports should be filed.

Bugs with insufficient infos may be closed as incomplete (or invalid in the worst cases). VLC developers understand that the requested infos can be difficult to gather or provide. Indeed, producing a stack trace can be complex and time-consuming. And sharing sample files can pose confidentiality, privacy or piracy issues. However as a bug reporter you have to accept that the VLC developers cannot resolve bugs without sufficient infos for analysis.

Also please keep in mind that the VLC developers are not paid to solve your problems. There cannot be any warranty for any kind of timeline regarding resolution of a bug. On the one hand, some bugs have been fixed within minutes of being filed. On the other hand, some bugs have remained open for over a decade, with no signs of getting fixed any time soon. If you need express resolution, you should attempt to solve the problem yourself, or consider hiring a software consultant.

Bug severities

blocker

Impediment to software development, e.g. build breakage on most platforms, systematic crash at startup or when playing any file input.

critical

Impediment to software release, e.g. security issue, crash in most basic and common use cases (i.e. more than 50% of user base), crash at exit.

major

Basic feature not working, e.g. inputs other than file not working, file format or codec not rendered.

normal

Expert feature not working, e.g. stream output problem, specific configuration option. Feature requests.

minor

Problem that can be worked around easily or is really unimportant.

trivial

Typing error. Self-explanatory bugfixes. Inconsequential compiler warnings.

Bug priorities

If you have a high priority issue, you must provide a patch yourself, or arrange for someone to do so. The VideoLAN project and the VLC developers are not at your service (they do not get your money) and cannot satisfy all requests.

Keep in mind that abuse of "high" and "highest" priorities will only attract ill will.

Bug resolutions

All bugs are initially filed in the new, and without a resolution. If/when a bug gets closed, the resolution must be filed. The following resolutions are currently used:

fixed

The bug has been corrected in a newer version of VLC; the fixed version should be indicated under milestone.

invalid

The bug report is confusing, unintelligible or is not in English. Or the bug describes multiple separate issues in a single report. Or for any other reasons, the VLC developers are unable to analyze the bug report.

wontfix

The VLC developers believe that the problem should not be addressed because it would cause more problems that it would solve, or is otherwise a bad idea. Alternatively, the VLC developers believe that the problem can fundamentally not be addressed, even if the concern is valid.

duplicate

A report for the same problem has already been filed earlier. There is no need to keep multiple reports for a single problem. This does not necessarily mean that the bug is fixed yet.

worksforme

In the specified circumstances, the VLC developers are not able to reproduce the described problem, or the described problem is actually the intended behaviour.

notvlc

The reported problem seems like it might be real. However its root cause does not lie within the VLC code base, and therefore the VLC developers cannot fix it. The bug should probably be reported somewhere else.

incomplete

The bug report does not contain enough infos for the VLC developers to analyze the bug. See also above.

Additional remarks

If you can, or if it applies to you try to take into account the following.

Windows users

You can send along the last VLC crash log. The file is called Crashdump. If you are familiar with gdb, you can use it to give us more detailed crash info. Tutorial for GDB with Win32

If your bug is a crash, please try to reproduce and report using a -debug build.

Mac OS X users

Please send along the last part of ~/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/VLC.crash.log if you can. Many crashes of VLC are logged in this file. You can open the file from VLC by going to the menu Window and choosing Messages. Now click the "Open CrashLog" button.

Please make sure you send the last crash (at the bottom of the file) and that it actually is the crash you described. The Date/Time field reports the time of the crash so that way you can check if it is the crash you experienced, or an earlier one.

Compile problems

Make sure you have read the Developers_Corner. Give the full log showing the problem 

	  ./configure <options> > logfile.txt 2>&1
	  make 2>&1 > logfile.txt 2>&1
  • When dealing with a ./configure issue, please provide the generated config.log file.
  • Your compiler brand and version may be relevant here as well.

Version

Written by Derk-Jan Hartman, for the VideoLAN Team.

Adapted by Jean-Baptiste Kempf for this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://wiki.videolan.org/index.php?title=Report_bugs&oldid=62096"