YouTube Music Keeps Stopping? Fixes for Phone, Bluetooth and Cast

Music that cuts out halfway through a song is maddening, whether you're on a run, working at your desk or playing a playlist in the shop. I put music on while I work, so when YouTube Music stops mid-track I notice within seconds.

YouTube Music's help page covers the usual causes: connection, app, other devices, Bluetooth and casting. It doesn't have a page just for tracks that stop, so I've matched each symptom to the nearest official fix and kept to what the page says.

The first two things to try when YouTube Music keeps stopping

YouTube Music's help says to close and reopen the app, then restart your device. It says these two steps fix many common problems. Do both before anything else, and play the same song again.

Checking your signal when YouTube Music keeps pausing

A weak connection is the most common reason music stalls. The help page sets out what songs need:

• On Wi-Fi, the connection should provide at least 3 Mbps.
• On mobile data, the signal should be 3G, 4G or LTE on a valid data plan.
• YouTube Music recommends at least 4 bars of signal.

If you're on the move, music cutting out in lifts, tunnels and rural stretches is normal for a streamed song. If you're unsure which account you're on, my guide to switching accounts on YouTube shows how to check.

The other location message on YouTube Music

This is the one that catches families and shared logins. If you see "Playback paused because this account is being used in another location", YouTube Music explains that music can only play on one device at a time. The steps are:

1. Pause playback on the other device.
2. Close YouTube Music on this device.
3. Restart the app and play again.

If your music keeps stopping at odd times, think about whether a tablet, a smart speaker or a TV is signed in to the same account. Something else playing can take over the session.

Clearing the YouTube Music cache or reinstalling the app

For songs that won't play or general playback trouble, the help page adds three more steps after the restart:

1. Check your device settings for a system update and install it.
2. Clear the YouTube Music cache in your device settings.
3. If that doesn't help, uninstall and reinstall the app.

Menu names vary between phones. On Android you'll normally find the app under Settings, Apps. On an iPhone the cache is cleared by offloading or reinstalling the app, which is the same method YouTube describes for its main app.

YouTube Music stopping on Bluetooth headphones or a speaker

If it only stops when your headphones or car are connected, the help page treats this as a Bluetooth problem. Its steps are:

• Update your device's operating system.
• Update the app that comes with your headphones or speaker.
• Clear the YouTube Music cache in your device settings, or delete and reinstall the app.

A quick test: play the song through the phone speaker. If it plays all the way through, the issue is in the Bluetooth link, not the app.

YouTube Music cutting out when casting to a speaker or TV

Casting adds a third device, so more can go wrong. According to the help page, the fixes are:

• Restart your router and your Chromecast.
• Make sure your phone or tablet and the Google Cast device are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Try casting from a different phone or tablet.
• Update the YouTube Music app, and update the Chromecast firmware.
• Turn the Automatic time zone setting off and on again.
• Forget the Wi-Fi network on your device, then reconnect.
• Uninstall and reinstall YouTube Music.

YouTube Music stopping on a Google Home speaker

If your music stops when you use a voice command, the help page lists checks for Google Home. Confirm it's plugged in, that the microphone mute button is off, and that you're signed in with the right Google account. Make sure YouTube Music is set as the default music player, and that Google Home and your casting device share the same Wi-Fi.

It also says to be as specific as you can in a request. Naming the song title or artist more precisely helps if the wrong music plays.

Background play and the YouTube Music screen

If music stops when you lock your phone or switch apps, that can be a background play issue, which YouTube covers in a separate help article for Android. Also check that battery saver settings aren't closing the app. That second point is common advice, not something the YouTube Music page states.

What to do if YouTube Music keeps stopping after every fix

Try the same song on another device. If it plays there, the fault is local to the first device. If you want to see whether the wider service is struggling, my guide on why YouTube might not be working explains how to tell. You can also post in the YouTube Music Help Community, which the help page recommends for further questions.

Where it stops	First thing to try
Anywhere on mobile data	Check for 3G, 4G or LTE signal and a good bar count
Mid-song on one account	Look for another device playing
Only on Bluetooth	Update the phone and the headphone app
Only when casting	Restart router and Chromecast, same Wi-Fi
Everywhere	Restart device, clear cache, reinstall

This guide is part of my YouTube Help: 30 Guides to Channels, Subscribers, Monetisation, Thumbnails and Fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Why does YouTube Music keep stopping?

YouTube Music's help points to a weak connection, another device playing on the same account, a cache fault, Bluetooth issues or casting problems.

What speed does YouTube Music need?

The help page says Wi-Fi should provide at least 3 Mbps, and mobile data should be 3G, 4G or LTE with at least 4 bars recommended.

What does 'being used in another location' mean?

It means music can only play on one device at a time. Pause playback on the other device, then close and restart YouTube Music.

Does clearing the cache help YouTube Music?

Yes, it's one of the steps the help page gives for songs that won't play and for Bluetooth problems.

Should I reinstall YouTube Music?

Only after restarting, updating and clearing the cache. The help page lists reinstalling as a later step.