YouTube not working? How to fix videos that won't play
When YouTube will not load or play, the fix depends on where you watch. These steps cover the phone app first, then browsers.
Fix YouTube on your phone
The fix
9 fixes to try in order
- 1
Check for an outage.
If Downdetector shows a spike in reports, wait. Nothing on your phone will fix a YouTube outage.
- 2
Close and reopen the app.
Swipe YouTube away from recent apps, then open it again.
- 3
Restart your phone.
This clears most playback glitches.
- 4
Update the YouTube app.
Install the latest version from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- 5
Check your connection.
Run a speed test, switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data, or restart your router.
- 6
Lower the video quality.
Tap the gear icon in the video, choose Quality and pick a lower setting on a slow connection.
- 7
Turn off VPN and ad blockers.
VPNs and ad-blocking apps can stop videos from loading. Turn them off and test again.
- 8
Set the date and time automatically.
A wrong date or time can break secure connections to YouTube.
- 9
Clear cache (Android) or reinstall (iPhone).
Android: Settings › Apps › YouTube › Storage › Clear cache. iPhone: touch and hold the app, tap Remove App › Delete App, then reinstall it from the App Store.
YouTube not working in a browser?
- Reload the page, then try a private or incognito window.
- Update your browser and clear its cache and cookies.
- Turn off extensions one at a time, especially ad blockers.
- Turn off hardware acceleration in the browser settings and restart the browser.
Frequently asked questions
Why does YouTube say “Something went wrong”?
Usually a connection or app glitch. Tap Retry, restart the app, and if it keeps happening, clear the app cache on Android or reinstall the app on iPhone.
Why can’t I see some videos on YouTube?
Restricted Mode may be on, which hides videos that could be inappropriate. Turn it off in the YouTube app under Settings › General › Restricted Mode, unless it is managed by a school, work or parent account.
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