Playback fails with "Unknown error / Response code: 429"; buffer issue

[y-lee]

Version: beta 20.52 Hardware: Nvidia Shield TV Video preset: (4K)2160p 60fps vp9 Video buffer: High Playback speed: 1.5x

This began today. Most (not all) videos failed on playback with the spinner and Unknown error / Response code: 429. I noticed that the few videos that did work were 720p, but using various 720p presets only helped with a few more videos. Changing the network stack made no difference, and neither did changing the default playback speed to 1.0x.

Lowering the video buffer setting to "Low" from the existing "High" helped, but not in all cases. "None" allows all videos tested so far to start playing, but a 4K 30 video hit the 429 error in about 30 seconds, after which the video stuttered with the 429 error reappearing every few seconds. A 2K 60 preset allows both that video, and another that is 4K 60, to both play without error (in 2K 60, of course).

EDIT: The 4K 30 video played successfully mentioned above shows the 429 error at the end, with spinner.

[y-lee]

I should have mentioned above that live streams also don't play, regardless of preset. Developer options | Live stream fix (4K) allows live streams (whether currently live, or finished) to play.

EDIT: In 20.56, Live stream fix (4K) no longer needs enabling.

[y-lee]

Fixed by deleting app data and reentering all settings. Curiously, restoring from a "known good" settings backup was not sufficient. The first time I did this the issue recurred; I was not able to pin down what setting, if any, triggers the issue. Again deleting app data/reentering settings has (so far) not caused a recurrence.