Raspberry Pi 4 Server Crashing

Channels DVR Server
#1

I recently set up a Raspberry Pi 4 as my Channels DVR server. I originally had a Mac Mini running it but wanted something that was lower powered if it was going to be running all the time.

For the first few weeks it was running OK, but the remote stream was a bit rough. I even use the feature inside my network to pull up live TV in a browser while I’m working and it is barely stable. I know it says the Pi can handle one remote stream but even that seemed to be pushing it even at 720p 3mbps.

In the last couple of days, I can’t get the sever to even stay on at all. Constantly needing to power cycle the device. During one of the reboots yesterday, I loading the latest firmware but it still seems to have crashed again.

Are my expectations too high for running this on a Pi? Do I need a real computer or a decent NAS drive to pull this off properly?

I saw this mini PC and thought this could maybe be a good option as well, maybe with a little more ram. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HVXSZ81/?coliid=I1WSDJZ16UKHJM&colid=2KP37Q5099J0X&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Would love some feedback from the community. I’m really enjoying the whole Channels app and service. I want to eventually have this replace my TiVos as my main whole house DVR solution but just taking baby steps for now. Thanks!!

#2

Please submit diagnostics

What do you mean by crashing? What exactly happens and doesn't happen when it has "crashed"

#3

When it crashes, I can’t log into or access the server from any device until I power cycle. Where can I find the diagnostics to send?

Thanks!

1 Like
#4

Support > Troubleshooting > Submit Diagnostics

Can you ping the Pi when it's not responding?

#5

I cannot currently ping the Pi when it is not responding. At the moment I can't even get it to show up at all upon reboot. I tried to scan for its IP address on my network, and it doesn't show. There is nothing else running on the Pi. I admittedly don't know too much about the Pi platform and just followed the set up instructions in the guide to upgrade to make the UBS drive bootable and load the custom OS onto the drive. I'm going to try move the Pi right next to my switch with a short cable run tomorrow and see if it will show up. I don't think I'll be able to get you a log file until I can get it to boot again.

Thanks for your support!

#6

What about locally, have the pi connected to hdmi monitor and see if u can access the terminal on the pi with a keyboard. if that is still active and useable, then hasn't frozen up, and it probably is not a hardware issues with the pi, like defect. It may also give you error messages. Could be its falling off your network, which would be a router or switch issue. Does it have a static IP set, or DHCP reservation as some routers can do?

How are its temp? do u have heatsinks on the chips? in a proper case with a fan?

What usb c power supply are you using? they need good quality ones, like the official brand, or Canna Kit ones. Cheap ones can be iffy and not have enough power to drive the board and a external hard drive connected to the usb.

#7

I'm gonna work on getting the Pi hooked up to a monitor this week. The Pi itself, the power supply, and case are all the recommended parts that were listed on the Channels site (CanaKit 3.5A Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply and Flirc Raspberry Pi 4 Case). It is currently not set to a static IP, which is something I have wanted to try and change. My router is a Sonic Wall for my VPN and I generally have to go through my computer guy to make changes there, they helped me open the port 8089 initially for remote access. In the last day or so I have gotten it to go on and connect for a short while at its usual IP address, but now when I scan the network I don't see the device showing up as any address at all.

#8

I also wonder about possible overheating. You’ll want to rule that out for sure, if you haven’t already.

#9

Flirc case is passive cooled, it acts as a heatsink...not a fan of it my self, looks cool, but nothing beats a fan moving air. If it is overheating when under heavy load from your remote transcoding, stick a table fan to blow at the case, and that should help keep it cool.

#10

I have been running a RPI3 2gig non-stop since January 2020 with NO stoppages or issues. Using a 1 Tb ssd for storage.