Apps · Repair guide

How to fix YouTube not working

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9 fixes, easiest first4 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Reload the page or close and reopen the YouTube app, then restart your internet connection and the device. In a browser, try a private (incognito) window with extensions off; on a TV, unplug it for at least 30 seconds.

What it means

When YouTube won't load, shows an error such as "An error occurred. Please try again later." or "Something went wrong", or plays a black screen, the cause is usually a slow or dropped connection, an outdated browser or app, a browser extension such as an ad blocker, or stored data that has gone stale. On TVs and streaming boxes, a full power cycle fixes most problems.

Common causes

  • A slow, unstable or dropped internet connection
  • An outdated browser, YouTube app or device software
  • An ad blocker or other browser extension interfering
  • Stale cache, cookies or app data
  • Browser graphics (hardware) acceleration or graphics driver problems causing black or green video
  • Being signed out, which can block some videos
  • A temporary YouTube problem

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Reload, then restart the app or browserEasy

  1. In a browser, reload the page. If you see a stripped-down page, wait a few minutes and try again.
  2. Close all other tabs except YouTube, then fully close the browser and open it again.
  3. On a phone, close the YouTube app completely and open it again.
  4. Restart your computer, phone or tablet and replay the video.

Why it helps: A fresh start clears temporary glitches in the page or app that stop videos from loading.

02Check your internet connectionEasy

  1. Open another website or app to see if the internet works at all.
  2. Restart your modem and router: unplug them, wait about 30 seconds, and plug them back in.
  3. On a phone, switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data or the other way round, then replay the video. Mobile data charges may apply.
  4. Run a speed test. YouTube suggests about 5 Mbps for 1080p and 2.5 Mbps for 720p.
  5. If it keeps buffering, open the video's settings (gear icon), choose Quality and pick a lower setting.

Why it helps: Most loading and buffering problems come from a slow or dropped connection.

03Update your browser, YouTube app and deviceEasy

  1. Chrome: select More (three dots) > Help > About Google Chrome; Chrome updates itself, then select Relaunch.
  2. iPhone or iPad: open the App Store, tap your photo or the My Account button at the top, then tap Update next to YouTube if it is listed.
  3. Android: open the Play Store, search for YouTube and tap Update if shown.
  4. Install system updates for Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, then restart.
  5. YouTube recommends the latest version of a compatible browser, such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

Why it helps: YouTube changes often, and old browsers or app versions stop playing videos properly.

04Sign in to YouTubeEasy

  1. Select Sign in at the top right of YouTube and sign in with your Google account.
  2. If you are already signed in, sign out and back in.
  3. On a phone or TV showing "Something went wrong", make sure you are signed in and replay the video.

Why it helps: YouTube may block some videos for signed-out viewers.

05If you use an ad blocker, try a private windowEasy

  1. Open a private window: in Chrome press Ctrl + Shift + N (Command + Shift + N on Mac).
  2. Go to YouTube in that window and play the video. Extensions are usually off in private windows.
  3. If it works, go back to a normal window and turn off your ad blocker and other extensions for YouTube one at a time to find the cause.
  4. Ad blockers can cause "Something went wrong" errors and stop videos from playing.

Why it helps: Extensions, especially ad blockers, are a frequent cause of YouTube errors in browsers.

06If YouTube isn't working on your TV, power cycle itEasy

  1. Unplug the TV, streaming stick or game console from power.
  2. Wait at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in and open YouTube.
  3. In the YouTube TV app, go to Settings, sign out, then sign back in. You may need to enter a code on your phone.
  4. Check the device's own settings for a system update and its app store for a YouTube update.
  5. For HD video, YouTube recommends a connection of at least 7 Mbps near the TV.

Why it helps: A full power cycle clears memory and network problems on TVs and streaming devices.

07Clear cache and cookies, or the app's cacheMedium

  1. Chrome: select More (three dots) > Delete browsing data.
  2. Choose a time range, tick Cached images and files, and select Delete data. Try this alone first.
  3. If that doesn't help, repeat with Cookies and other site data ticked as well. This signs you out of most websites, so have your passwords ready.
  4. Android app: open Settings > Apps > YouTube > Storage and tap Clear cache. This doesn't remove downloads or your account.
  5. iPhone: the YouTube app has no cache button; if nothing else works, reinstall the app (the last fix on this page).

Why it helps: Outdated stored files can stop pages and videos from loading correctly.

08If you see a black or green screen, turn off graphics accelerationMedium

  1. First try another browser; if the video plays there, the problem is in your usual browser.
  2. In Chrome, select More (three dots) > Settings > System.
  3. Turn off Use graphics acceleration when available (older versions call it Use hardware acceleration when available), then select Relaunch.
  4. Update your graphics driver: on Windows, get the latest driver from your PC maker's website; on a Mac, install the latest macOS update.
  5. If the change makes no difference, turn the setting back on.

Why it helps: Graphics acceleration problems and old graphics drivers can show the video area as black or green while sound keeps playing.

09Reinstall the YouTube appAdvancedBack up first

  1. Warning: reinstalling deletes videos downloaded for offline viewing in the app. Your account, subscriptions and history are kept online.
  2. iPhone: press and hold the YouTube icon, tap Remove App, then Delete App, and confirm with Delete. Then reinstall it from the App Store.
  3. Android: press and hold the YouTube icon, choose App info, then Uninstall (on phones where YouTube is built in, you may only see Uninstall updates). Then update or reinstall it from the Play Store.
  4. Open the app and sign in again.

Why it helps: A fresh install replaces damaged app files that cache clearing can't fix.

Check it's fixed

  • Several different videos start playing without errors or a black screen.
  • Videos play without long pauses at your normal quality setting.
  • YouTube still works after closing and reopening the browser or app.

When to get help

If YouTube fails on every device in your home while other sites work, contact your internet provider. If only one TV or streaming device fails after a power cycle and updates, contact that device's maker.

Questions

Is YouTube down or is it just me?

Try YouTube on another device and on another network, such as mobile data. If it fails everywhere, it may be a YouTube problem; wait and try again later.

Why is YouTube showing a black screen but I can hear sound?

This often points to a graphics problem. Try another browser, turn off graphics acceleration in Chrome's System settings, and update your graphics driver.

Why does YouTube say "Something went wrong"?

It can be caused by a dropped connection, being signed out, or an ad blocker. Reload, sign in, and turn off ad blockers for YouTube.

Will clearing the YouTube app cache delete my account or subscriptions?

No. Clearing the cache on Android only removes temporary files. Your subscriptions, playlists and history are stored in your Google account.

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