YouTube keeps buffering? 9 fixes for smooth playback
The spinning circle means videos load slower than they play. Your connection is usually the cause, but the app can be too.
Is it YouTube or your connection?
Open another video app or run a speed test. If everything is slow, fix the connection first. If only YouTube struggles, jump to the app fixes.
The fix
9 fixes, in order
- 1
Lower the video quality.
Tap the gear icon, then Quality, and pick 720p or 480p.
- 2
Move closer to the router, or use the 5 GHz network.
- 3
Turn off your VPN.
- 4
Pause downloads and backups running in the background.
- 5
Restart your router and phone.
- 6
Update the YouTube app.
- 7
Clear the cache on Android.
Settings › Apps › YouTube › Storage › Clear cache.
- 8
Reinstall YouTube on iPhone.
- 9
Try mobile data.
If it plays fine there, your home internet or router is the problem.
Frequently asked questions
Why does YouTube buffer when my internet is fast?
The phone may be on a crowded 2.4 GHz band, a VPN may be slowing YouTube down, or the app cache is corrupted. Try the other Wi-Fi band and turn off the VPN.
What speed do I need for YouTube?
YouTube suggests about 5 Mbps for 1080p HD and 20 Mbps for 4K. Run a speed test to compare.
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