YouTube stops working when the service is down, the connection drops, the app gets stuck, or the browser/device blocks playback. Start with the checks that answer the big question first, then move through the fixes for phones, computers, TVs, casting, and account restrictions.
Every step below uses current official support paths and avoids outdated fixes like Flash Player or a nonexistent iPhone YouTube cache button.
1. Check YouTube before changing settings
First, confirm whether YouTube is having a known issue. Open the YouTube Help Community and review recent official notices. Then check @TeamYouTube for current service updates.
When YouTube has acknowledged an outage, stop troubleshooting your device and try again later. Reinstalling the app, clearing cache, or restarting your router will not repair a YouTube service problem.
2. Refresh playback and lower quality
- 1.In a browser, select the Reload button.
- 2.On Windows, Linux, or ChromeOS, press Ctrl+R. On Mac, press Command+R.
- 3.In the YouTube app, close the video and open it again.
- 4.Open another site or app to check whether your internet connection works.
- 5.Move closer to Wi-Fi, or switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- 6.On YouTube, open Settings, choose Quality, and select Auto. To force a lower resolution like 360p, pick it directly on a computer, or tap Advanced first in the mobile app.
Use the quality step when YouTube opens but buffers, freezes, or stops partway through a video.
3. Restart the device completely
A full restart clears stuck playback sessions and resets the connection YouTube is using. Power off the phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, streaming stick, or game console, then turn it back on and reopen YouTube.
On iPhone: On an iPhone X or later, press and hold the side button and either volume button, drag the power slider, then hold the side button again to restart. On an iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd generation), 8, 7, or 6, press and hold only the side button, and on an iPhone SE (1st generation), 5, or earlier, press and hold the top button.
On a TV or streaming device: turn it off, unplug it from power for at least 30 seconds, plug it back in, and reopen YouTube.
4. Fix the mobile app directly
On Android, update YouTube: open Google Play Store, tap your profile picture, choose Manage apps & device, then Manage, select YouTube, and tap Update when it appears.
On Android, clear cache: open Settings, then Apps, See all apps, YouTube, Storage & cache, and Clear cache. If the app still fails, choose Clear storage and sign in again.
On Android, force stop YouTube: open Settings, then Apps, See all apps, YouTube, Force stop, and OK. Reopen YouTube after that.
On iPhone or iPad, update YouTube: open App Store, tap your profile icon, scroll to Upcoming Automatic Updates or Available Updates, find YouTube, and tap Update.
On iPhone or iPad, force quit YouTube: open the App Switcher, swipe to YouTube, swipe up on it, then reopen it from the Home Screen or App Library.
There is no separate iOS button for clearing the YouTube app cache. To reinstall YouTube, touch and hold YouTube, choose Remove App, then Delete App, and tap Delete. Reinstall it from the App Store.
5. Allow YouTube to use cellular data
When YouTube works on Wi-Fi but fails on cellular, check mobile data access.
On iPhone: open Settings, then Cellular, and turn on the switch next to YouTube. Also open Settings, then YouTube, and turn on Cellular Data if that switch appears.
On Android: open Settings, then Network & internet, Data Saver, and turn Data Saver off. You can also open Settings, then Apps, YouTube, Mobile data & Wi-Fi, and allow Background data or Unrestricted data usage.
6. Repair YouTube in your browser
Start with a private window. In Chrome, choose More, then New Incognito Window. In Edge, choose Settings and more, then New InPrivate window. In Firefox, open the menu and choose New private window. In Safari on iPhone, open Safari, tap the More button, then tap New Private Tab. On iPad, touch and hold the Tabs button, then tap New Private Tab.
If YouTube works in a private window, clear browser data next. In Chrome, choose More, then Delete browsing data, select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data, then choose Delete data. In Edge, open Settings and more, then Settings, Privacy, search, and services, Clear browsing data, and Choose what to clear. In Firefox, open Settings, then Privacy & Security, Cookies and Site Data, and Clear Data. In Safari on iPhone or iPad, open Settings, then Apps, Safari, and Clear History and Website Data.
Ad blockers, privacy filters, script blockers, and download extensions interfere with YouTube playback. In Chrome, open More, then Extensions, Manage Extensions, and turn off or remove the extension. In Edge, open Settings and more, then Extensions, Manage extensions, and turn off or remove the extension. In Firefox, open the menu, choose Add-ons and themes, then Extensions, and toggle off or remove the extension.
Update the browser after that. Chrome uses More, Help, About Google Chrome, and Relaunch. Edge uses Settings and more, Help and feedback, and About Microsoft Edge. Firefox uses the menu, Help, About Firefox, and Restart to Update Firefox. Safari updates through Apple system updates.
7. Update the device or reinstall cleanly
Old system software blocks app compatibility, browser components, and playback requirements.
- Android: open Settings, then System, and choose Software update or System update.
- iPhone or iPad: open Settings, then General, and choose Software Update.
- Windows: open Settings, then Windows Update, and choose Check for updates.
- Mac: open the Apple menu, then System Settings, General, and Software Update.
For a broken app install, reinstall YouTube from Google Play on Android or the App Store on iPhone and iPad. For a broken or unsupported browser, install a current browser from the official Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge download page, then open youtube.com there.
Ignore fixes that tell you to enable, update, or reinstall Flash Player. YouTube uses HTML5 video in current browsers, and Adobe Flash Player is discontinued.
8. Fix TV sign in casting and restrictions
When YouTube works in one place but fails in another, handle the exact surface that is failing.
Sign in again: select your profile picture, choose Switch account, or choose Sign out and then Sign in. On a TV, open YouTube, go to the left navigation, select your profile picture, and use the Accounts tab to add or switch accounts, or select an account and choose Sign out to remove it.
Fix TV sign-in: open YouTube on the TV and select Sign in. Choose Sign in with your phone or Sign in with your remote. With the phone option, scan the QR code or go to yt.be/activate on a phone, tablet, or computer and enter the TV code.
Fix casting: put your phone or tablet and TV on the same Wi-Fi network. Open YouTube, tap the Cast icon, and choose the TV. For manual pairing, open YouTube on the TV, go to Settings, then Link with TV code. On your phone, open YouTube, tap the Cast icon, choose Link with TV code, enter the blue TV code shown on the TV, and tap LINK.
Allow iPhone casting access: open Settings, then Privacy & Security, Local Network, and turn on YouTube.
Turn off Restricted Mode: on YouTube web, select your profile picture, choose Restricted Mode, and turn Activate Restricted Mode off. In the mobile app, tap your profile picture, then Settings, General, and turn Restricted Mode off. On TV, open Settings, then Restricted Mode, and choose Off.
For a supervised child account, use the parent device. Open Family Link, select the child, then choose Controls and YouTube.
9. Contact the network owner or YouTube
School Wi-Fi, workplace networks, public Wi-Fi, managed Google Workspace devices, router filters, ISP filters, and DNS-enforced Restricted Mode can block YouTube outside your device settings. Contact the network owner or administrator and ask whether YouTube or Restricted Mode restrictions are enabled.
When the network is not blocking YouTube and the problem continues, report it from the product. On a computer, select your profile picture and choose Send feedback. In the mobile app, tap your profile picture, then Settings and Send feedback. On a TV, open the watch page Settings and choose Feedback. Describe the problem, and include a screenshot or logs when prompted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is YouTube not working right now when other apps work?
Check the YouTube Help Community and @TeamYouTube first. If there is no official outage notice, test YouTube in a private browser window, force quit the app, or switch accounts.
Why does YouTube keep buffering?
Refresh the video, check the connection, move closer to Wi-Fi, switch networks, and set YouTube quality to Auto or 360p from Settings > Quality.
Why does YouTube work on Wi-Fi but not cellular?
Cellular access is blocked or restricted. Turn on YouTube under iPhone Cellular settings, or turn off Android Data Saver and allow YouTube background or unrestricted data usage.
Why is YouTube not working on my TV?
Unplug the TV or streaming device for at least 30 seconds, reopen YouTube, update the YouTube app from the device app store, and check the YouTube app's account and sign-in state on the TV.
Can I clear YouTube cache on iPhone?
No separate YouTube cache button exists on iPhone or iPad. Force quit YouTube, delete and reinstall the app, or clear Safari history and website data for browser playback.
