YouTube TV’s Start your program from the beginning option works from the DVR recording, not the live channel feed. When the button is missing, stuck, or opening in the wrong place, start with the Library version, then check the account, location, app, and device settings that control playback. Here are the supported fixes that bring the beginning back.
Use the recording instead of the live stream
The most common cause is opening the live program instead of the DVR recording.
Open YouTube TV and go to the program in your Library if it is currently recording or already recorded.
Choose Start your program from the beginning when YouTube TV offers it.
If YouTube TV asks which version to play, choose the DVR or recording option instead of Watch the currently live program.
Add shows before they air
Open YouTube TV before the program starts.
Find the show, sports team, event, or movie you want to record.
Tap Add next to that program so it is saved to your Library before airtime.
After the recording is available, open it from your Library and choose Start your program from the beginning.
If you added the program after it already started, wait for a rerun to replace the partial recording with a full episode.
Rewind the live feed when DVR is not ready
For a program airing right now, start the program live and use play, pause, fast-forward, and rewind on your TV device remote to move back toward the beginning.
Rewind stops at the edge of the available live or DVR buffer.
If rewind will not go far enough, use the Library recording when it becomes available, or add the program before its next airing.
Fix your playback area
The most common location-related cause is a wrong current playback area.
On a TV device, open the YouTube TV app and select your profile photo.
Go to Location, then choose Current Playback Area.
Follow the prompts on your phone or browser, go to tv.youtube.com/verify when asked, and allow location access.
On a computer, open YouTube TV and select your profile photo.
Go to Location, then choose Update next to Current playback area.
After the area updates, reopen the recording and choose Start your program from the beginning.
Correct home area and browser location settings
If your home ZIP code is wrong, go to tv.youtube.com, select your profile photo, open Location, and choose Update next to Home area. YouTube TV limits home area changes when you have already changed it twice in the last 12 months or when you are not physically in the new home area.
In Chrome, open More, then Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, and Location. Change the location permission so YouTube TV can use your current location.
Clear cache and cookies when location issues continue in the browser. Then reload YouTube TV and try the recording again.
Restart YouTube TV and refresh the connection
Close the YouTube TV app, then open it again and replay the recording.
On mobile, close the video player by pulling it down to minimize it, swipe it right, and reopen the player.
On a computer, close the YouTube TV video player, reopen it, and try the recording again.
Turn your mobile data or Wi-Fi connection off and back on.
Unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
Restart your phone, TV, streaming device, computer, or game console.
Keep the device on the same connection while YouTube TV reloads the recording.
Check the account and Library
Shared TVs often fail for a simple reason: the wrong Google Account is active.
- 1.Select your profile photo in YouTube TV.
- 2.Open the account drop-down and choose the intended account.
- 3.If the account is missing, select Add account and sign in with the right Google Account.
- 4.To remove a stale account, select your profile photo, choose Switch account, then select Remove under that account.
- 5.In family groups, have each person use their own account and add programs to their own Library before airing.
Update or reinstall the app on your device
Use this when the recording exists but the app loads the wrong playback state, crashes, or refuses to show the beginning option. Install the latest system updates for your device, then update YouTube TV from the device’s app store.
If updating does not help, uninstall YouTube TV, reinstall it, sign in again, and try the video again. Some built-in TV apps cannot be removed, so use the device’s update and restart options instead.
On Roku, restart from Home, Settings, System, Power, and System restart. If your Roku does not show a Power submenu, select System restart directly under System. To update or remove the app, highlight YouTube TV, press the Star button, and choose Check for Updates or Remove app.
Skip hidden Roku remote-code cache tricks. Use Roku’s supported restart, update, remove-and-reinstall, or network check path instead. To run the test, go to Home, Settings, Network, and Check connection. Use Settings, Network, and About only to view the most recent test result.
Use another playback option or contact support
If the standalone TV app is still glitching, open YouTube TV on your phone or computer and select Cast or AirPlay from the top right while both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. On certain TV devices, open the YouTube app, scroll down the left navigation, select YouTube TV, and sign in when prompted.
With a supported Google smart speaker or display linked to Chromecast in the US, say Ok Google or Hey Google, then say Rewind with the number of minutes and seconds you want. For future events, say Record followed by the show name.
On a managed Chrome device at work or school, switch to a personal device or ask the administrator to allow the needed location permission. For a bad recording or a problem that returns, select your profile picture and choose Send feedback, or on Android tap your profile photo, tap Help, choose Contact us under Need more help?, select YouTube TV or NFL Sunday Ticket, describe the issue, and choose Next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does YouTube TV start in the middle instead of the beginning?
The active version is often the live feed, a partial recording, or a recording tied to another Google Account. Open the program from the correct account’s Library and choose the DVR recording.
Can YouTube TV record the full episode after I add it late?
No. For that airing, YouTube TV starts recording from the time you add the program. Add it before the next airing, or wait for a rerun to replace the partial recording.
Does every live show let me rewind to the beginning?
No. Rewind only reaches as far back as the available live or DVR buffer. Use the Library recording when you need the full start.
Can a VPN stop Start from beginning from working?
Yes. A VPN or proxy can trigger playback or location restrictions. Turn it off, reopen YouTube TV, and retry the recording.