LibreELEC is a lightweight Linux distribution that is designed specifically to run Kodi on low-powered devices like the Raspberry Pi. It provides a minimal operating system that boots directly into the Kodi media center interface.
Installing LibreELEC on a Raspberry Pi is an easy way to create a dedicated Kodi box for streaming media. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to get LibreELEC up and running on any model of the Raspberry Pi.
Overview of LibreELEC
LibreELEC stands for Libre Embedded Linux Entertainment Center. It‘s a Just Enough Operating System (JeOS) built around the Kodi media center software.
The developers optimize LibreELEC specifically for the Raspberry Pi‘s hardware, removing unnecessary Linux components to create a fast, efficient Kodi experience. It boots directly into Kodi‘s interface so you don‘t have to deal with a desktop environment or application menu.
Some key advantages of using LibreELEC on a Raspberry Pi include:
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Streamlined operating system with minimal overhead. More system resources are available for Kodi.
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Fast boot time since there‘s no traditional Linux distro loading in the background.
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Automatic updates to the latest Kodi version.
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Hardware acceleration support for Raspberry Pi to improve video playback performance.
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Active development community providing new features and bug fixes.
LibreELEC is the officially recommended Linux distro for Kodi on the Raspberry Pi. It‘s easy to install and provides a great out-of-the-box experience tailored for low-powered streaming devices.
Raspberry Pi Models Supported
LibreELEC supports all modern models of the Raspberry Pi:
- Raspberry Pi Zero
- Raspberry Pi 1
- Raspberry Pi 2
- Raspberry Pi 3
- Raspberry Pi 3+
- Raspberry Pi 4 (1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB models)
The OS will run on any Raspberry Pi model with at least 1GB of RAM. The Pi 4 is ideal for running LibreELEC since it‘s the fastest with multiple RAM options. But even the original Pi models still work well.
I‘ll be using a Raspberry Pi 4 for this installation guide, but the steps are the same for any supported model. The only difference is that LibreELEC has separate downloads optimized for each Pi‘s hardware configuration.
What You‘ll Need
To install LibreELEC on your Raspberry Pi, you‘ll need:
- Raspberry Pi (any model with 1GB+ RAM)
- MicroSD card (16GB Class 10 recommended)
- MicroSD card reader/writer
- HDMI cable
- TV or monitor with HDMI input
- USB power adapter and cable
- Keyboard or remote control (optional)
A starter kit that includes all these components will make things easier. You can find Raspberry Pi kits on Amazon that contain everything you need.
I‘m using the following equipment for this guide:
- Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB model)
- Samsung EVO Select 32GB microSD card
- UGREEN microSD card reader
- HDMI to HDMI cable
- Official Raspberry Pi USB-C power supply
- Flirc USB remote control
Downloading LibreELEC
The first step is to download the LibreELEC system image for your Raspberry Pi model. Here‘s how:
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Go to the LibreELEC website.
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Click the Downloads tab.
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Scroll down and select your Raspberry Pi model from the list of hardware boxes. Make sure you choose the correct one.
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Click the "Download" button to download the
.img.gzfile for your Pi. -
Save the file on your computer. It will be around 300-500MB depending on your Pi version.
The .img.gz file is a compressed disk image containing the entire LibreELEC operating system. In the next steps, we‘ll write this image to a microSD card to create a bootable LibreELEC installation medium.
Writing the Image to the SD Card
With the LibreELEC image downloaded, now we need to write it to a microSD card so it can be booted up on the Raspberry Pi.
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Insert your microSD card into the card reader and connect it to your computer. Do not have any other external drives or cards plugged in.
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Launch the LibreELEC USB-SD Creator app that you downloaded earlier.
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Select your microSD card from the dropdown menu to confirm you chose the correct target drive.
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Click the folder icon and select the LibreELEC
.img.gzfile you downloaded. -
Finally, click the Write button to flash the image onto the SD card.
The app will format and decompress the image, writing all the necessary partitions and boot files to your card. This process can take 5-10 minutes depending on your computer and SD card speeds.
Be patient and wait for the operation to complete. Once finished, safely eject the SD card from your system.
Booting LibreELEC on the Pi
You now have a LibreELEC microSD card ready to boot up your Raspberry Pi!
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Insert the microSD card into the Pi‘s slot on the underside.
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Connect your Raspberry Pi to your TV or monitor using the HDMI cable.
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Plug in your USB power adapter to the Pi‘s USB-C port.
The Raspberry Pi will immediately power on and launch the LibreELEC boot sequence. After about 30 seconds, you‘ll be greeted with the Kodi home screen!
The first boot may take a little longer as LibreELEC expands the filesystem and performs initial setup routines. But subsequent boots will be much quicker.
Configuring LibreELEC
Upon your first LibreELEC boot, the OS will walk you through some configuration steps:
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Select your language and locale.
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Configure your network connection (Ethernet or WiFi).
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Accept the LibreELEC license agreement.
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Select whether to send usage statistics and crash reports.
Use your keyboard or remote to navigate through these options. A wireless remote is handy since the Pi normally doesn‘t have keyboard/mouse connected.
Once you complete the wizard, you‘ll arrive at the Kodi home screen ready to start installing addons and setting up your library.
Customizing Kodi with Skins and Addons
LibreELEC boots directly into Kodi‘s media center interface. From here, you can customize the look and function by installing skins and addons.
Skins change the overall appearance of Kodi with new fonts, menu layouts, colors, and more. Popular skins include:
- Arctic Zephyr 2
- Auramod
- Titan
Addons extend Kodi‘s functionality by providing access to streaming apps, live TV, online media sources, and more. Top addons include:
- The Crew
- Seren
- Venom
- USTVGO (live TV)
Be sure to check out Troypoint‘s recommended addons for the latest working options.
The beauty of LibreELEC is that it strips away everything else and boots right into a blank Kodi canvas. You can mold it into the perfect streaming media center tailored to your needs.
Updating and Maintaining LibreELEC
LibreELEC makes it easy to keep your system up-to-date with the latest releases:
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New versions of LibreELEC are pushed out every 4-6 weeks, bringing bug fixes, security patches, and improvements.
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Kodi also receives regular updates adding features and fixing issues. LibreELEC packages each official Kodi release.
To update LibreELEC:
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Open Kodi and navigate to Settings > System > System Updates.
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Choose "Updates" to refresh the LibreELEC and Kodi version.
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Click "Install" to download and apply updates.
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Reboot when prompted to boot into the new software version.
Most updates are incremental and quick to install. But major Kodi releases (e.g. 18 to 19) may take longer.
LibreELEC handles all software updates seamlessly in the background. Just periodically check for the latest releases to stay on top of improvements and features.
Tips and Troubleshooting
Here are some handy tips for your LibreELEC setup:
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Attach a heatsink and/or fan to the Pi‘s SoC chipset to prevent overheating issues, especially on the Pi 4.
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Use a powered USB hub if you need to attach multiple peripherals like hard drives. This prevents power drain on the Pi.
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Enable SSH access in LibreELEC‘s system settings if you need command line access to the OS.
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Connect to a VPN like IPVanish for additional privacy and security when streaming torrents or third-party addons.
And if you run into trouble, here are some common problems and fixes:
Won‘t boot into LibreELEC: Try rewriting your SD card, double check your power supply, and confirm your HDMI cable works.
No video output: Enable legacy video modes in config.txt on the SD card‘s boot partition.
Choppy video playback: Lower your Kodi resolution settings, enable hardware acceleration in config.txt, or upgrade to a Pi 4.
Addons not working: Check for updates, re-authorize Real-Debrid if enabled, clear addon cache.
The LibreELEC forums are also a great resource for troubleshooting specific issues and general help.
Conclusion
Installing LibreELEC gives you an optimized streaming media player powered by Kodi on your Raspberry Pi. With minimal setup, you can create a dedicated box for all your entertainment needs.
LibreELEC strips away unnecessary components and boots directly into Kodi. It‘s continually updated by an active development community focused solely on delivering the best Kodi experience on low-cost SBCs like the Pi.
I hope this guide covered everything you need to know to get started with LibreELEC on your own Raspberry Pi! Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy streaming with your new Kodi box.
