Restricted Mode can keep YouTube videos and comments from showing, even when your account looks normal. The fastest fix is usually the Restricted Mode switch inside YouTube, but the exact menu changes by device. Start with the device you are using, then check account, parent, network, or work settings if it turns itself back on.
Turn it off on a computer
The most common cause on a computer is that Restricted Mode is still switched on for that browser or browser profile.
Sign in to YouTube, then click your profile photo in the top-right corner.
At the bottom of the menu, click Restricted Mode.
In the box that opens, switch Activate Restricted Mode to off.
Repeat the same change in every other browser or browser profile where YouTube still looks restricted.
Use the YouTube app on Android
On Android, the switch sits inside the YouTube app's general settings.
- 1.Open the YouTube app and sign in.
- 2.Tap your profile photo.
- 3.Tap Settings.
- 4.Open General.
- 5.Turn Restricted Mode off.
Switch it off on iPhone or iPad
Open the YouTube app and sign in with the account you use to watch videos.
Tap your profile photo, open Settings, then tap General.
Turn Restricted Mode off. If you also use YouTube in a mobile browser, change the mobile website setting separately.
Fix it in a mobile browser
Use this method when YouTube is restricted in a phone or tablet browser instead of the app. The mobile website has its own setting.
Go to m.youtube.com.
Tap your profile photo.
Open Settings.
Tap Account.
Turn Restricted Mode off.
Check YouTube on your TV
This fixes Restricted Mode inside the YouTube TV app.
On Android TV, start from the Home screen.
Open the Apps row.
Launch YouTube.
Go to Settings.
Choose Restricted Mode or Safety Mode, then set it to Off.
On supported smart TVs, streaming devices, and game consoles, open the YouTube app, use the left-hand navigation to reach Settings, then change Restricted mode to off.
Use the restrictions checker
This fixes the mystery part: where the restriction is coming from.
Open youtube.com/check_content_restrictions on the same browser or device where YouTube is restricted. Check Restrictions on your organization network and Restrictions on your personal account.
Follow the option YouTube shows, such as Toggle setting in your account or Reach out to your network administrator.
If it shows DNS restrictions at a moderate or strict level while you are using mobile data, contact your mobile network provider and ask them to turn off the content filter.
If this method fails, check whether a parent, school, workplace, Chrome administrator, Google Workspace administrator, or network administrator controls the setting.
Change Family Link and supervised account settings
A child account cannot turn off Restricted Mode while a parent has enabled it in Family Link. The parent needs to open the Family Link app, go to Controls, open YouTube, and turn Restricted Mode off.
Supervised YouTube access uses content settings instead of the regular Restricted Mode switch. In Family Link, select the child, open Controls, choose YouTube or YouTube Family Center, tap Edit under YouTube Settings, choose a content setting, and tap Select.
A linked parent account can also use the YouTube app. Tap the profile picture or initial, open Settings, go to Family Center, select the child, open What they can watch, choose Content setting, pick the setting, and tap Select.
Handle work, school, and network controls
Open YouTube while signed in to the account that has the problem.
Visit youtube.com/check_content_restrictions.
Look at Restrictions on your organization network and Restrictions on your personal account.
If YouTube points to Google Workspace, Chrome management, a school, a workplace, a library, or a managed network, contact the administrator who controls that account, device, browser, or connection.
A Google Workspace administrator who has the YouTube administrator privilege can allow access from Google Admin console, Menu, Apps, Additional Google services, YouTube, Permissions, then Unrestricted YouTube access and Save. In Google Workspace for Education, users the administrator has designated as under 18 still cannot access content marked 18+, even with unrestricted access.
A Chrome administrator who has the Mobile Device Management administrator privilege can stop browser enforcement from Google Admin console, Menu, Devices, Chrome, Settings, which opens User & browser settings by default. In Chrome Enterprise Core, go to Menu, Chrome browser, Settings instead. From there, open Content, SafeSearch and Restricted Mode, Restricted Mode for YouTube, then choose Do not enforce Restricted Mode on YouTube and Save.
If the account is managed, personal YouTube toggles will not override the administrator's setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I turn off Restricted Mode on YouTube?
Restricted Mode may be controlled by Family Link, a mobile network content filter, Google Workspace, Chrome management, or a restricted organization network. Open youtube.com/check_content_restrictions on the affected device to see which control is active.
Does turning off Restricted Mode in one browser turn it off everywhere?
No. On desktop, Restricted Mode applies to the browser and profile you are using, so change it separately in each browser or browser profile.
Can a child turn off Restricted Mode in Family Link?
No. When Restricted Mode is enabled through Family Link, the parent has to turn it off in the Family Link app.
Is supervised YouTube the same as regular Restricted Mode?
No. Supervised YouTube accounts use parental content settings. A parent changes those settings in Family Link or YouTube Family Center.
