Why Is YouTube Not Working? A Quick Fix Checklist

When YouTube stops loading, the first thing I want to know is whether it's broken for everyone or only for me. More often than not the fault sits on your side: a tired app, a browser that needs an update, a wobbly connection or a device that just wants a restart. That's good news, because those are the problems you can fix in a couple of minutes. It matters for small-business owners too. When a customer says your video won't play, it's almost always one of the same causes, and you can send them this checklist instead of panicking about your channel.

Everything below follows YouTube's own help centre articles on video errors and on streaming problems. Menus vary by app version and device, so if a label on your screen looks slightly different, look for the closest match.

Is YouTube down for everyone, or only on your device?

Start with a quick test that separates a YouTube problem from a you problem. Open the same video on a second device that uses a different connection, such as your phone on mobile data while your laptop's on Wi-Fi. If it plays there, the fault's with the first device or network. If it fails everywhere, YouTube itself may be having a hiccup.

YouTube's help centre says that during rare service interruptions it may load a stripped-back version of the watch page without features such as Like, Share and comments. Its advice is simple: reload the page, or wait and try again later, because most of these issues are temporary. If you'd like to see whether other people are reporting the same thing, check YouTube's official social accounts or the YouTube Help Community, where people post about problems as they happen.

What you're seeing	Most likely cause	First thing to try
Fails on every device and network	A YouTube service interruption	Wait, then reload
Fails on one device only	The app, browser or device	Update, then restart the device
Fails on one Wi-Fi network only	Your connection	Switch to mobile data or restart the router
Plays but keeps buffering	Connection speed	Lower the video quality
Some videos are missing or hidden	Restricted Mode or a network filter	Check Restricted Mode settings

Fix YouTube not working in the Android app

YouTube's help page for Android gives a short sequence for general errors such as Something went wrong. Work through it in order and replay the video after each step.

1. Make sure you've got the latest version of the YouTube app from the Play Store.
2. Close the YouTube app completely and open it again.
3. Restart your phone or tablet, then replay the video.
4. If the video loads but keeps buffering, switch networks: from mobile data to Wi-Fi, or from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
5. Clear the app's cache: open your phone's Settings, tap Apps (or Applications), tap YouTube, tap Storage, then tap Clear cache.

If a long video gets stuck partway through, YouTube suggests skipping ahead a couple of scenes on the timeline. If that doesn't help, close and reopen the app and check again for an update.

Getting the YouTube app working again on iPhone and iPad

1. Open the App Store and install any YouTube update that's waiting.
2. Close the app and reopen it.
3. Restart your iPhone or iPad.
4. Try the other connection, Wi-Fi or mobile data, and check that your device allows YouTube to use mobile data.
5. If nothing changes, uninstall the YouTube app and reinstall it, which YouTube's help centre lists as a fix for stubborn app errors.

When YouTube won't play in your web browser

On a computer, browser clutter is the usual culprit. YouTube's computer troubleshooting steps go like this:

1. Make sure your computer's system software is up to date.
2. Close your web browser and open it again.
3. Close most of your other tabs so only YouTube is open.
4. Update your browser to its latest version.
5. Clear your browser's cache and cookies.
6. Open YouTube in an incognito or private window with extensions turned off. If it works there, an ad blocker or another extension is getting in the way, so switch them back on one at a time to find it.
7. Try Google Chrome, which YouTube's help page suggests as a browser to test with.
8. Restart your computer.

YouTube on a smart TV or streaming stick that won't load

YouTube's help centre says that power cycling your TV or streaming device is often the most effective fix. Unplug the power cable from the wall, wait at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in. While you're there, check your TV's app store for a YouTube update and install any system update for the device itself.

Network checks when YouTube videos keep buffering

• Restart your router, then run a speed test to see whether your connection can cope with the quality you're watching.
• Lower the video quality from the settings gear on the player. It won't look as sharp, but it'll stop the spinning circle.
• Sign in to your account, because YouTube's help page notes that some features may not work correctly if you're signed out.
• If you've changed your DNS settings, or installed an app that does, check they haven't been altered by a third-party app. YouTube's help centre calls this out specifically.
• Pause any big downloads or backups on the same network while you watch.

What common YouTube error messages are telling you

YouTube lists a handful of messages that all point to the same set of fixes above: An error has occurred, Playback error. Tap to retry, Connection to server lost, and Something went wrong. Tap to retry. Two have their own advice. For Error loading the page, please try again, reload or come back later. For Something went wrong. Refresh or try again later, YouTube suggests refreshing first, then signing in, updating your browser or app, allowing ads or disabling blockers, clearing your cache and cookies, checking your DNS and restarting your device.

If videos play but some seem to be missing, or comments and certain results have vanished, it might not be a fault at all. A setting could be filtering them, so it's worth reading my guide to turning off Restricted Mode on YouTube before you assume something's broken.

Reporting a YouTube fault that won't go away

If you've tried everything and the problem's still there, tell YouTube. In the app, tap your profile picture, then Help and feedback, then Send feedback, ideally right after the error happens so the report's fresh. You can also post in the YouTube Help Community, where other users and volunteers often recognise the issue straight away. I've pulled together more fixes and walkthroughs in my YouTube help hub, and if you want to get more out of the platform once it's working again, my list of YouTube tips and tricks every user should know is a good next stop.

Frequently asked questions

Why is YouTube not working on my phone but working on my laptop?

That points to the phone, its app or its connection. Update the YouTube app, close and reopen it, restart the phone and switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. On Android, clearing the app's cache from your phone's Settings often helps.

How can I tell if YouTube is down?

Try the same video on another device using a different connection. If it fails everywhere, it's likely a service interruption. YouTube's help centre says these are rare and usually temporary, so reload and try again later. YouTube's official social accounts and the YouTube Help Community are good places to check.

Why does YouTube keep buffering?

Usually it's your connection. Restart your router, run a speed test and lower the video quality from the settings gear. Switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data can help too.

Can an ad blocker stop YouTube working?

Yes. YouTube's help centre suggests opening YouTube in an incognito window with extensions turned off to check. If it works there, one of your extensions is causing the problem.

What should I do if YouTube won't work on my TV?

Unplug the TV or streaming device for at least 30 seconds, plug it back in, then check its app store for a YouTube update.