How do I refresh my YouTube app on my smart TV?

Here’s the crux of the article in video form:

Table of Contents Show

Update 1 (May 04, 2021)
Update 2 (April 13, 2022)
Update 3 (October 7, 2022)
What Prevents the Youtube App From Launching in Samsung TVs?
Solution 1: Relaunching the app
Solution 2: Reinitializing the Cache
Solution 3: Reset TV to Default Settings
Solution 4: Reinstall YouTube
Solution 5: Correcting Time
How do I reset the YouTube TV app on my TV?
How do I fix the YouTube app on my smart TV?

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…

Original story (published on April 16, 2021) follows:

YouTube is the most popular streaming service on the planet with virtually no competition. Thus, even the tiniest of issues on the platform affect millions.

The mantle of responsibility of keeping YouTube running in tip-top condition lies with Google. They do a good enough job but occasional bugs still pop up every now and then just as they do on any other software.

Anyway, a new issue is doing rounds wherein the YouTube app on Smart TVs is suddenly missing several important tabs from its sidebar on the homepage.

Source

I loaded up YouTube on my Roku TV and the Library and Subscriptions were missing! I am assuming this is a bug (because if this was intentional then YT needs to fire someone) but I hope the Subscriptions and Library tabs get restored soon.
Source

Does anyone know how to fix this issue? I’m missing my Subscription, Watch later and other icons on my YouTube app on my Xbox. I tried resetting the system, logging in and out and nothing.
Source

And it’s not just Smart TVs that are affected as there are complaints from gaming consoles (Xbox and PlayStation) as well as media players like Roku TV.

A couple of the important tabs in question include the Library and Subscriptions. Basically, every option below “News” on the sidebar has disappeared.

Users have already tried basic workarounds like signing out and then signing in, re-installing the app, and resetting the system to no avail.

Source

It was also observed that the YouTube missing tabs issue is limited to select accounts only as some users reported that switching to some other account brought them back.

So yeah, this can serve as a workaround for those that consider the missing tabs a dealbreaker until YouTube actually addresses the issue.

Speaking of which, YouTube has already acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix as we speak.

Source

Being a likely server-side glitch means that the issue should disappear just the way it arrived sans the requirement for an app update or any user intervention.

Still, we shall continue tracking the status of the issue so stay tuned to PiunikaWeb.

Update 1 (May 04, 2021)

02:30 pm (IST): The YouTube missing tab issue has finally been solved:

Jumping in – the reported issue of the missing tab has been resolved. We recommend sharing this one to our team here: https://yt.be/help/feedback. This will help us identify and fix possible issues. Reach back out if needed.
Source

Update 2 (April 13, 2022)

11:06 am (IST): Recently YouTube services were facing multiple issues across various devices — including tabs going missing. But fortunately, YouTube has already fixed these problems. More on that here.

Update 3 (October 7, 2022)

10:20 am (IST): Many users have taken to Twitter to report that all tabs from the YouTube TV app are missing or unavailable.

YouTube support has confirmed that they are aware of the issue and are working on a fix.

we’ve seen similar reports that the sidebar menu on living room/gaming consoles devices is showing blank. it doesn’t show the library and subscriptions option. we’re working on a fix (Source)

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Samsung provides a great lineup of TVs and wall panels with resolutions up to 8k. Many additional “Smart” features are also provided such as Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity. Samsung preloads its TVs with many video streaming platforms such as Youtube, Netflix, etc. however, quite recently, a lot of reports have been coming in of the Youtube app not launching on the TV and it gets stuck on the silver screen whenever it is launched.

Samsung TV

What Prevents the Youtube App From Launching in Samsung TVs?

After receiving numerous reports from multiple users we decided to investigate the issue and came up with a set of solutions after implementing which the problem went away for most of our users. Also, we looked into the reasons due to which this issue is triggered and listed them below.

Cache: Cache is stored by applications to reduce loading times and provide a smoother experience. This is achieved by saving certain launch configurations on the device’s storage and the application uses these configurations to launch instead of forming new ones every time the app launches. However, over time these configurations can get corrupted and cause interference with important system features and applications one of them being the youtube app.
General Bug: There have been many reports of the television not being able to launch certain apps properly. This issue is sometimes fixed by trying to load the app again while on the grey screen.
Licensing: In some cases, certain models of Samsung’s lineup of Smart TVs might not be licensed to run Youtube. First, verify that your TV model is actually capable and licensed to run Youtube.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the nature of the problem we will move on towards the solutions. Make sure to implement these solutions in the specific order in which they are listed.

Solution 1: Relaunching the app

There is a bug with the Samsung TV where it sometimes does not load an ap properly. Therefore, in this step, we will be forcing the TV to try to reload the app while it is on the grey screen. For that:

Grab your TV remote and launch the Youtube App.
If the app goes to the “Grey Screen” press and hold the “back” arrow button and it will take you to the Samsung Smart HUB.
The back button on the remote
Chose the Youtube app again to relaunch it.
Check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 2: Reinitializing the Cache

It is possible that certain “cached” data might be interfering with important system functions and preventing the app from launching, therefore, in this step, we will be reinitializing the cache by completely power cycling the TV. For that:

Turn on the TV and unplug it directly from the wall.
Unplugging TV From Power
Press and hold the “Power” button on the TV for at least “30” seconds.
Plug the power back in and check to see if the issue persists.
Plugging the power back in

Solution 3: Reset TV to Default Settings

In some cases, the TV might not be functional until it has been reset to the default settings of the manufacturer. Therefore, in this step, we will be resetting the TV to its factory settings in an attempt to get rid of this particular issue. For that:

Press the “Menu” button on the remote.
Click on “Settings” and then select “Support”.
Clicking on the “Support” button
Select the “Self Diagnosis” option and then highlight and click the “Reset” button.
Selecting Self Diagnosis Option
After selecting reset, you will be asked for a pin. The default pin should be “0000” unless you have manually changed it.
Enter the pin to confirm the process and then follow the onscreen prompts to successfully reset the TV.
After the reset is finished, check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 4: Reinstall YouTube

In some cases, the issue might be fixed by reinstalling Youtube completely. Therefore, in this step we will first uninstall Youtube from our TV and then install it again to fix this issue. For that:

Navigate to “Apps” on your Smart TV and select “Settings” from the top right corner.
Selecting “Settings” from the top right
Click on “Youtube” and then select “Reinstall”.
Wait for the TV to reinstall the app and check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 5: Correcting Time

In some cases, the time might not be set properly due to which this error is being triggered. Therefore, it is recommended to correct the time on your TV and check to see if that fixes the issue. For that:

Navigate to “Settings” and then click on “System”.
Clicking on “System”
Select “Timer” and then click on “Clock”.
Check if your time is set properly.
After correcting time, check to see if the issue persists.

Note: If the issue still isn’t fixed, try to update the firmware of your device and check to see if that fixes the problem for you. Also, try to clear the history and search results of your Youtube Account and check if that fixes this problem. In the end, Disconnect your ethernet connection and try to connect with the Wifi network.

Kevin is a dynamic and self-motivated information technology professional, with a Thorough knowledge of all facets pertaining to network infrastructure design, implementation and administration. Superior record of delivering simultaneous large-scale mission critical projects on time and under budget.

How do I reset the YouTube TV app on my TV?

Uninstall & reinstall the YouTube TV app Uninstall the YouTube TV app on your device. Reinstall the YouTube TV app and sign in again. Try watching your video again.