YouTube Not Working? Fix Videos That Won’t Load or Play
If YouTube is not loading, first check our status page, then test another device and network. YouTube Help says to restart your internet connection, run a speed test and update the app or browser before anything else. Most playback errors, such as “Something went wrong” or “Playback error,” are fixed by refreshing the connection, the app or the browser, rather than by waiting for YouTube.
Our live YouTube status page shows current reports, and the YouTube TV status page covers the live TV service.
How do I tell if YouTube is down?
We could not find an official YouTube status page to rely on, so compare evidence instead. Follow these steps.
- Open our YouTube status page for fresh reports.
- Try a different device on the same Wi-Fi.
- Try the same device on mobile data.
- Open another site. If nothing loads, see internet down at home.
YouTube Help notes that during service interruptions, a page can show an error loading message, and a limited version of the page may appear. In that case it says to reload and, if that fails, try again later. Our is it down or just me guide explains the comparison method in detail.
What do YouTube’s common error messages mean?
YouTube Help lists these messages on its page “Troubleshoot YouTube video errors.” The page treats them together and gives general fixes rather than a code for each.
| Message | First thing to try |
|---|---|
| An error has occurred. | Restart your connection, then the app or browser. |
| Playback error. Tap to retry. | Tap to retry once, then check connection and update the app. |
| Connection to server lost. | Check your internet connection. |
| This video is unavailable. | The video may be removed or restricted; try another video. |
| Something went wrong. Refresh or try again later. | Refresh, sign in, update, turn off ad blockers, clear cache. |
| Error loading the page, please try again. | Reload; if it fails, try later. |
The fixes are from YouTube Help: Troubleshoot YouTube video errors.
How do I fix YouTube on a computer?
- Reload the page and sign in to YouTube.
- Update your browser.
- Clear the browser’s cache and cookies.
- Check ad blockers and other extensions. YouTube Help suggests an incognito window with extensions disabled as a quick test, and says “Something went wrong” can come from blocking ads.
- Check that your DNS settings are your preferred servers and have not been changed by a third-party app. If you suspect DNS, see how to flush the DNS cache.
- Restart the computer.
Do not install “YouTube repair” extensions or tools from unknown sites. Use only the browser’s own settings and official updates.
How do I fix YouTube on a phone or tablet?
- Restart your internet connection and try mobile data and Wi-Fi in turn.
- Check that data usage for YouTube is enabled in the device settings.
- Close and reopen the app, or restart the device.
- Update the YouTube app and the device’s system software.
- Clear the app cache on Android. On iPhone and iPad, offloading and reinstalling the app does a similar job. Use your official app store.
How do I fix YouTube on a TV?
YouTube Help says to unplug the device, wait at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in, and to check the app store for a YouTube update. It calls this often the most effective way to resolve TV playback issues. Then check the network: other apps on the TV should load. For more, see streaming apps not working on a smart TV.
What if only some videos fail?
If most videos play but one does not, the problem is that video, not YouTube as a whole. YouTube Help lists “This video is unavailable” among its common messages, and a video can be removed, private or restricted. Try a different video, then try the same video in a private window. If the problem follows the video across devices, the issue is not your setup. Wait or try later.
If every video buffers, run the speed test YouTube Help suggests and lower the video quality. A slow connection, a busy Wi-Fi band or another device downloading large files can all cause buffering. A wired connection or a move closer to the router often helps more than any app setting.
What should I not do?
Do not download apps or extensions that promise to “fix” YouTube or block errors, and do not turn off your antivirus or firewall to test. Do not sign in to a page that you reached through a pop-up saying your account has a problem. If you are repeatedly asked to log in, use youtube.com or the official app directly. For a general approach to any major service problem, see what to do during an outage.
Bottom line
Check a second device and network, then follow the order YouTube Help gives: restart the connection, update the app or browser, clear the cache and turn off blockers. TVs need a full unplug. If every device fails, wait and check our status page.
FAQ
Why does YouTube say “Something went wrong”?
YouTube Help lists refreshing, signing in, updating, allowing ads, clearing cache, checking DNS and restarting the device as fixes.
Is YouTube down for everyone?
Check our status page, a second device and another network. If all fail, it may be a service issue.
Does clearing the cache delete my account data?
No. It removes stored temporary files. You may be signed out of some sites.
Why does YouTube work on mobile data but not Wi-Fi?
The router, DNS or a filter is likely at fault. See our checks in order.