Libsyn media urls won’t validate (timeout) – but will on MAMP development server

Please post a link to a media file you’ve had trouble verifying so we can do some testing.

Surely! https://traffic.libsyn.com/infinitegestation/IGE052.mp3

I have the same issue and after much of testing, here’s what I concluded:

For several days now, I have an issue trying to “Verify the URL” using powerpress plugin with a file that’s being hosted by libsyn. I get an error that says: “Operation Timeout”.

I’ve tried many things and came to the following conclusion…

For some reason, libsyn is being either blocked or not being reached. Why do I think that? I tested an mp3 files that’s being hosted on blubrry and it worked perfectly.

I also tested an mp3 file that’s being hosted on another libsyn account and got the same error as with my own files.

– I also tested my own libsyn links on another wifi (library) – did not work.
– Tested on my iphone 7 (on wifi) did not work
– tested on my iPhone 7 (LTE) did not work.

I spoke to my hosting and they said they did not find anything wrong, no connection issues or anything.

So, I’m thinking there must be something on the wordpress itself or the plugin. Any ideas, have you guys come across anything like this before? Thank you.

I tested the file on two different sites, one hosted by Blubrry, another hosted by DreamHost, and had no trouble verifying the media file. This means that there could be a problem with your WordPress installation and/or the server hosting your site. You’ve done a lot of work to troubleshoot that already, so it’s tough to say what the source of the problem might be. I can ask the lead developer of PowerPress to look over your post but he is out of the office this week and probably won’t get to it until next week.

The good news is, even if PowerPress has trouble verifying a media file URL, you can still manually enter the file size and duration information and publish the post as normal. The media verification process is just a “check,” if the file doesn’t verify, it won’t stop PowerPress from publishing the podcast as it normally would.

Are you saying that the “Verify url” process is not crucial to publishing the podcast and connecting with libsyn?

Thanks for the quick responses! I’ll try the manual method for now, while I investigate other options. If this could be reexamined when he returns, that would be fantastic. ??

@pk80356: Yes, that’s correct.

The verify media URL function within PowerPress is merely a “convenience feature,” if you will. If PowerPress can verify the media URL, it’ll attempt to set the episode time length and file size for you automatically. But, if it can’t, just leave the media file URL in the field and publish the episode as you normally would. PowerPress will still add that media file URL to the enclosure tag for that episode. (But do test the file URL first and make sure it’s valid, just to be safe, that it’s not coming up as a 404.)

Got you Shawn. In the meantime, like the other person said, it would be great to get this resolved.

@shawn Thorpe:

When you say to test the url, you mean for me to copy the mp3 url into the browser to make sure that url and the media is valid, the audio plays, correct?

Also, despite the validation error, does that mean that the connection to libsyn exists between my site? Also, does that mean that Itunes downloads and any pertinent downloads will still get counted on Libsyn?

Thank you! ??

Also, should I manually input the size and time of the episode in there then when submitting it manually?

@pk80356

I manually added the size and time (note – bytes, not MB so you will need to do some quick math). Our theme displays both of these, so they need to be there in the back end. After publishing, episode has pinged Apple Podcasts and is present in our feed. It is playing without issue.

https://infinitegestation.com/podcast/white-noise-don-delillo-airborne-toxic-event-episode-052/

• This reply was modified 7 years, 7 months ago by pfeild.

@pk80356: Yes – copy/paste the media file URL into a new browser/tab window and make sure it’s good before entering into PowerPress.

Yes – despite the inability to validate via PowerPress, there won’t be any problem with subscribers/syndication points (like iTunes) getting the media file from your feed. It won’t look any different to them.

Yes – you should manually input the file size and episode duration into the Podcast Episode box if you want that information to appear in the RSS feed.

Do either of you have shell access to the servers that are having the problem? if so, you can use a CURL command line tool to download the file to see if the problem is network related, you can verify at least that either your server is blocking it with a firewall or LibSyn is blocking it.

Thank you, that helps a lot.

In the meantime, I would still love to be able to fix this issue so let me know what your lead developer comes up with. ??

Peter

Hello Peter,

Just to follow up, I don’t believe this is an issue we can “fix ” in PowerPress, as it indicates either A there is a firewall blocking your server from connecting to the outside, or B LibSyn is blocking your server. The CURL from command line test can confirm one or the other.

Thanks,
Angelo

@shawne Thorpe and @angelo Mandato…

Any update on the issue?

To answer Angelo’s comments, I reach out to my hosting company (mediatemple) and libsyn and they both confirmed that there’s nothing blocking it.

What I also tested is another link with a file that’s hosted on Blubrry and it worked PERFECTLY! I also tested another account’s mp3 link that’s hosted on Libsyn and that failed (timed out as well). So, from my tests, it looks like there’s something not right with the conneection to the entire Libsyn.