YouTube Fullscreen Not Working? Fixes for Every Device

You click the full screen button and nothing happens. Or the video jumps to full screen for a second and drops back. Or the button is simply missing. If you're presenting a video to a client, screen-sharing a tutorial or just trying to watch something comfortably on a bigger display, it's one of those small faults that feels bigger than it should.

YouTube's help page on full screen is short, and it's honest about the limits. I've used it, plus YouTube's playback troubleshooting and its advice on clearing the cache, to put together the fixes in the order I'd try them. Where YouTube doesn't give a step for your exact device, I'll say so.

How YouTube fullscreen is meant to work on a computer

It helps to know what normal looks like. According to YouTube's help, on a computer you go to the video, then click Full screen at the bottom right of the video player. To leave it, click the Exit full screen icon at the bottom right of the player. You can also double-click the video to exit.

YouTube adds a nice detail: while you're in full screen, you can scroll down to read the comments and see which videos are up next, then scroll back up to hide everything except the video. So if you thought full screen had broken because you saw comments, it may simply have been scrolled.

When a YouTube fullscreen button is missing

This is the first thing to rule out, and it isn't a fault. YouTube says that YouTube videos on other websites, like blogs or news articles, may not have a full screen option. The person who embedded the video chooses what the player allows. If you're on a company blog, a course platform or a news site, the missing button may be down to how that site set up the video.

The test is simple. Open the same video on youtube.com. If full screen works there, the problem is the other site, and the site owner is the one to contact. If you run the site yourself, check how the video is embedded.

Updating your browser when YouTube fullscreen is not working

YouTube's full screen help gives one fix: if you have problems viewing videos, make sure you're using the most up-to-date version of your browser. It's the first thing I'd do too. Go to your browser's settings or About page and check for an update. Restarting the browser after the update finishes often matters as much as the update.

The wider YouTube computer fixes for fullscreen problems

For video errors on a computer, YouTube's streaming help lists the following. They aren't aimed at full screen specifically, but full screen is part of the same player and browser, so they're sensible next steps:

1. Make sure your computer is up to date.
2. Close and reopen your web browser.
3. If you have many tabs open, close most of them except the one you're using for YouTube.
4. Update your browser to the latest version.
5. Use Google Chrome as your browser.
6. Restart your device.

Try the video in full screen after each step. If the problem goes away after you close extra tabs, you've learned something about your computer's memory, and it might be worth keeping fewer tabs open when you present.

Clearing the cache and cookies when YouTube fullscreen is not working

If the player looks wrong, or the buttons don't respond, a stale cache can be to blame. YouTube's help says that clearing cache and cookies can resolve website loading or formatting issues. In Chrome:

1. Open Chrome and select More at the top right, then Delete browsing data.
2. Choose a time range, such as Last hour or All time.
3. Select Cookies and other site data.
4. Check any other items you want to delete.
5. Select Delete data to confirm.

The page warns that some site settings get deleted, so if you were signed in, you'll need to sign in again. Some sites may seem slower for a while because images and other content have to load again. For other browsers, YouTube says to check that browser's own support site.

Fullscreen or Miniplayer: which one you're using

People sometimes mix up the two. The computer Miniplayer is the small floating window you get when you right-click a video and choose Miniplayer. It lets you keep watching while you browse YouTube. It's the opposite of full screen. YouTube says it isn't available for Shorts or for videos marked as made for kids. If you meant to go full screen and ended up with a little window, click Expand to go back to the watch page, then use the Full screen button.

YouTube fullscreen not working on a phone or tablet

YouTube's full screen help page is written mainly around the computer player, and it lists phone and tablet versions that I couldn't see in detail, so I won't invent button names for you. What I can say, from YouTube's general troubleshooting, is that updating the app, restarting the app and restarting the phone are the standard first moves. On Android, YouTube's streaming help adds clearing the app cache: open Settings, go to Apps, choose YouTube, then Storage and cache and Clear cache.

A tip of my own, not from YouTube's help: if you're trying to fill the screen with a wide video on a phone, check whether screen rotation is switched on in your phone settings. A locked screen can stop the display turning sideways. And if the picture seems too zoomed once you do get there, why YouTube keeps zooming in might explain it.

When YouTube fullscreen is not working on a TV

On a TV, full screen is the normal state, so a problem there is usually a playback problem. YouTube's TV list covers checking the connection, checking the streaming quality in the player settings, quitting and reopening the app, signing out and back in, restarting the device by disconnecting its power, and updating the system software. If the picture is blurry rather than missing, why YouTube looks blurry may help.

What to do if YouTube fullscreen still won't work

• Try a different browser, ideally Chrome if you aren't already using it.
• Try a private window to rule out stored data and extensions.
• Play the video on another device. If it works there, the first device is the problem.
• Send feedback to YouTube from your profile icon, then Help and Feedback, then Send Feedback, straight after the problem happens.

And if the whole site is misbehaving, not just full screen, my checklist for when YouTube isn't working is the next place to go.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there no full screen button on a YouTube video?

YouTube says videos on other websites, like blogs or news articles, may not have a full screen option. Try the same video on youtube.com.

How do I go full screen on YouTube on a computer?

Click Full screen at the bottom right of the video player. To exit, click the Exit full screen icon in the same place, or double-click the video.

Does updating my browser help?

YouTube's help says to make sure you're using the most up-to-date version of your browser if you have problems viewing videos.

Can I read comments while in full screen?

Yes. YouTube says you can scroll down in full screen mode to read comments and see up next videos, then scroll back up to hide everything except the video.

Why did my video turn into a small window?

You may have started the Miniplayer. Click Expand to return to the watch page, then use the Full screen button.

Will clearing my cache sign me out?

It can. YouTube's help says some site settings are deleted when you clear cache and cookies, so you may need to sign in again.