My Youtube is not working - 14 Fixes [2024] 💥

Updated: November 4, 2024 | by: Martijn Assie, creating websites & shops since 20 years, also Linux-, Wordpress-,
Photoshop- and SEO expert. | NL DE

With over 2.7 billion monthly users, YouTube is the world's top video platform. If YouTube isn't working, it can be a real hassle. So, what should you do? Here are some tips for your Android or iOS device.

Advertisement

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Your internet connection might be the reason YouTube isn't working. Sometimes, lowering the video quality can help. If the problem continues, try restarting your router to reset your network.

2. Is YouTube Down?

Although rare, YouTube can sometimes go down. Check the official YouTube Twitter page for updates. You can also use Down Detector to see if there are widespread issues.

3. Restart the App or Browser

If you encounter bugs or glitches, try closing and reopening the YouTube app or browser tab. This simple step can often resolve the issue.

4. Restart Your PC or Laptop

A system reboot might be necessary to fix video playback disruptions. This is especially true if your computer's operating system is outdated.

5. Restart Your Mobile Device

For Android, Tablet, iPhone, or iPad users: A quick restart of your device can often fix minor issues with apps, including YouTube.

6. Update Your Mobile Phone

For Android/Tablet

1. Open the "Settings" app on your device.
2. Tap on "Security".
3. Check for updates under "Google Security Checkup" and "Google Play System Update".
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

For iOS on iPhone/iPad

• You can check for and install software updates at any time.
• Navigate to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update".
• This screen will show the current iOS version and any available updates.
• To turn off automatic updates, go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update" > "Automatic Updates".

7. Restart the YouTube App

On Android

1. Open "Settings" and tap on "Apps".
2. Select the app you wish to restart.
3. Tap on "Force Stop". This will open a confirmation popup.
4. Confirm by tapping "Force Stop" again. This will close the app, and the "Force Stop" button will become grayed out.
5. Go back to the Home screen.
6. Open the app drawer and select the app you just closed to restart it.

On iPhone/iPad

Sometimes apps on your iPhone and iPad may freeze or act strangely. You can use the App Switcher feature in iOS to shut down the app and restart it. Here's how to activate the App Switcher:

• For iPhone X and later or iPad with iOS 12 or earlier: Begin by swiping up from the bottom edge, pause in the middle, then lift your finger.
• For iPhones and iPads with a Home button, quickly double-tap the "Home button".

Follow these steps:

1. After launching the App Switcher, you'll see a screen displaying large thumbnails of all recently opened apps. Swipe left or right for more.
2. Scroll through the thumbnails until the app you're looking for is highlighted and centered on the screen.
3. Swipe up on the app's thumbnail to close it.
4. To restart the app, locate its icon on your home screen and tap it.

8. Update the YouTube App

Problems may arise for mobile users if the app version is outdated or if there's accumulated app data. Below is how to update the YouTube app.

On Android

1. Open the "Google Play Store" app.
2. Tap on your "profile picture".
3. Select 'My Apps and Games'.
4. Apps with available updates are marked "Update".
5. Tap 'Update All' to update all apps. To update individual apps, find the app you want to update and tap 'Update'.

You may need to restart your device to complete an app update.

On iPhone

1. Go to the "App Store".
2. Select your "profile picture".
3. Scroll down to see pending updates.
4. If the YouTube Studio or YouTube app updates are available, you'll see them in the 'Updates' section. Tap 'Update' next to the YouTube logo.

9. Clear YouTube Cache

Clearing YouTube's cache, data, and other information is the next step. While clearing the cache removes temporary data, clearing all data erases app data including settings. Both are effective in clearing out cache and data. This is because data and settings can sometimes get corrupted or bugs can mess up. Clearing all data resets your browser or app and allows you to start fresh.

Clear your YouTube cache on Android

• Open the "Settings" app.
• Go to "Apps".
• Click on the YouTube app in the "See all apps" section.
• Tap on "Storage and cache".
• Clear cache.
• Clear storage is also available for a clean start.

Clear your YouTube cache on iPhone (older than iOS-11)

1. Tap "Settings" > "General" > "Storage & iCloud Usage".
2. Tap "Manage Storage" in the top section (Storage).
3. Search and tap on YouTube > Tap to delete the app.
4. To reinstall the app, go to the App Store. This will result in a clean installation without any data or documents.

Clear your YouTube cache on iPhone (iOS-11 and newer)

1. Tap "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage".
2. Tap "YouTube" > Tap "offload app" or "delete app" according to your needs.
3. To reinstall the app, go to the App Store.

Clear your cache in Firefox for Windows

• To open the "Settings" page, click the three-line menu button at the top right of the Firefox desktop browser. Click "Privacy and Security" to open the Settings page.
• Scroll down to "Cookies and Site Data". This section will show you how much disk space stored cookies, site information, and cache are currently using. In our case, it is more than 1 gigabyte.
• To continue, click "Clear Data".
• Click the Clear Data button to open. Check the box to delete "Cached Web Content". However, this will sign you out of websites.
• To delete an item, click Clear.
• You can also clear Firefox's cache by clicking the three-line button and choosing "History". Then, click "Clear Recent History".
• Clear Recent History opens. Uncheck all boxes except Cache in the History section. Optionally, you can also choose to clear "Browsing data and site history".
• Click OK to select Everything from the drop-down menu "Time range to clear" and then click on it.

Clear your cache in Chrome for Windows

• Open Chrome on your Windows computer.
• Click the three-dot button at the top right.
• Go into "Settings".
• Choose "Security and Privacy" in the left column.
• Pick "Clear browsing data".
• To select the items you wish to delete, check the boxes. If there are serious problems, I prefer to delete everything.
• Select "All time" within the Time range.
• Hit "Clear data".

10. YouTube Access Blocked

Sometimes, YouTube and other services can be restricted due to network limitations. This can occur in places like schools, libraries, and other areas where administrators prefer to limit video streaming. Parents may also restrict their children's access to YouTube.

If you suspect YouTube restrictions, consult the network administrator. The only solution to this issue is to request access from the administrator. Alternatively, you can use mobile data or connect to a different network. In some regions, like China, YouTube is blocked entirely. Your country might also impose temporary blocks on YouTube, such as during exams. These restrictions can be bypassed using a VPN service.

11. Disable Hardware Acceleration

Here are instructions for disabling hardware acceleration in the two most reliable browsers:

Disable Hardware Acceleration in Firefox on Windows

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click the hamburger menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Settings".
4. Navigate to the "General" section.
5. Scroll down to "Performance".
6. Check "Use recommended performance settings".
7. Uncheck "Use hardware acceleration when available" to disable it.

Disable Hardware Acceleration in Chrome on Windows

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Go to "Settings".
4. Select "System".
5. Toggle off "Use hardware acceleration when available".

12. Synchronize Time and Date

Synchronize Time and Date in Windows:

• Open the "Settings" app.
• Go to "Time & Language".
• Select "Date & Time" from the left menu.
• Toggle on "Set time automatically".
• Toggle on "Set time zone automatically".

Synchronize Time and Date in Android:

• Open the "Settings" app.
• Tap "System".
• Select "Date & time".
• Toggle on "Automatic date & time".
• Toggle on "Automatic time zone".
• Enable "Use location to set time zone".

13. Update GPU Drivers

This fix is applicable for PC or Laptop users. YouTube may not function properly if your computer's GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is incompatible. Updating your drivers may resolve the issue. This solution is specifically for computer users.

1. Type "Device Manager" into the Windows search bar and click "Open".
2. Expand the "Display adapters" section.
3. Right-click on your GPU.
4. Select "Update driver".
5. Choose "Search automatically for drivers".
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

14. Check Browser Extensions

Sometimes, browser extensions can interfere with YouTube playback. Here's how to check and disable them:

For Chrome:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select "More tools" > "Extensions".
4. Disable extensions one by one to identify the culprit.

For Firefox:

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click the hamburger menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Add-ons and themes".
4. Disable extensions one by one to find the one causing issues.

YouTube Usage Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about YouTube usage that you might find intriguing:

Outro

YouTube is an essential platform for millions of users around the world, and encountering issues can be frustrating. By following these tips and solutions, you can resolve most problems and get back to enjoying your favorite videos. If you continue to experience issues, consider reaching out to YouTube support for further assistance.

Advertisement