Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Show
YouTube is the largest online video platform globally, with more than 2.6 billion monthly active users. YouTube not working translates to a problem for most of us, so what do you do when you find yourself in this situation? Here are some things you can try on your Android and Windows devices.
Editor’s note: Some of the instructions in this article were generated using a Pixel 4a with 5G running Android 13 and a custom PC running Windows 11. Keep in mind that steps can be slightly different depending on your device. Find out if YouTube is downEdgar Cervantes / Android Authority While it’s not a common occurrence, YouTube can sometimes go down. This is the first thing you should check. There is no straightforward way to check if YouTube’s servers are non-operational, but we recommend a couple of methods. You can get the info straight from the horse’s mouth by going to the official YouTube Twitter account. Chances are any outage will be reported there. We also recommend Down Detector, a website where people can report issues with YouTube not working. The site is almost always spot-on, and it even includes a live map to see if there are any local outages. If YouTube is down, there’s nothing you can do but to wait it out. Close and reopen the app or websiteSimply closing and reopening the YouTube app often fixes any local issues or bugs. If you’re using a computer, you can close either the tab or the browser and try reaccessing YouTube. Check for any updatesEdgar Cervantes / Android Authority Running older versions of an app is usually not an issue, but it can sometimes create some conflicts. This is especially the case with more extensive updates, or upgrades that include server-side changes. Make sure you’re running the latest version of the app. How to update Android apps:
It may also help to see if everything else is updated. Check if any updates are available to your browser (if you’re using it). If you’re using an Android device, check if there are any available updates for it. How to check for Android updates:
Restart your deviceIt’s always the first troubleshooting solution we recommend! A simple restart can magically get everything up and running for reasons we don’t quite understand. It may seem silly, but it’s worth a try! Press and hold on to the power button and select Power off when the option shows up. How to restart Android:
Check your internet connectionEdgar Cervantes / Android Authority There is a chance the culprit is your internet connection! You can test other apps that need an internet connection to operate and see if they work. Open the browser and Google anything. If nothing else works properly, then you might be offline. Check if your Wi-Fi is on, or if you maybe turned Airplane Mode on by accident. Those using Wi-Fi or LAN should look at the router and see if it’s connected. Are other devices working? Try restarting the router. There’s usually a dedicated button, but unplugging and plugging the router back in works too. If you’re using cellular data, you might want to see if your data connection is on:
Clear the app’s cache and dataThe following fix on this list is to clear YouTube’s cache and data. The former deletes temporary data, while the latter eliminates all app data, including various settings. This may help because sometimes data and settings get corrupted, or bugs mess things up. Clearing everything resets the app or browser and lets you start clean. Clear cache on Android:
Clear the cache on Chrome for Windows:
Sync your date and timeIt may seem odd, but the date and time settings could be a reason for YouTube not working. Google’s servers might be having trouble syncing with them if you don’t set them correctly. Sync date and time on Android:
Sync date and time on Windows:
Is the network blocking YouTube?Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Sometimes there are network restrictions on YouTube and other services. This is common to see when using the internet from schools, libraries, or other places where administrators don’t want you watching random cat videos. It could also result from careful parents who limit their kids’ YouTube activity. Talk to the network administrator and ask if any YouTube restrictions exist. The only solution to this problem would be to ask the administrator to allow YouTube access. You can also switch to data or use another available network. Update your GPU driversEdgar Cervantes / Android Authority If you’re running YouTube on a computer and have issues with YouTube not working, there is a chance there are compatibility issues with the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Try updating the drivers and see if that helps. Keep in mind this solution only works for computer users. Skip this section if you’re not using a computer. How to update your GPU drivers on Windows:
Turn off hardware accelerationHave you ever gotten a black or green screen while trying to play a YouTube video? The problem can be annoying, especially when you can’t find a cause or solution. This is usually due to compatibility issues regarding hardware acceleration. Try turning it off. How to turn off hardware acceleration on Chrome for Windows:
Is YouTube not working after trying all these fixes? Maybe it’s time to take your case to YouTube. YouTube has its help center, so ask for help if you really can’t get the service to work correctly. Why is my YouTube video playing but not showing?These problems are fixed by updating the browser, clearing the cache, or restarting the browser. Computer problems: When issues with the computer cause YouTube to display a black screen instead of videos, you can usually fix it with a simple restart.
What causes video not playing?You might not have permission to access the specific video. There can be some issues with the mobile or WiFi network on your device. Even a slight change in your phone's network settings can cause this issue. A VPN, firewall, anti-virus, or any other third-party app can also make the video unable to play.
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