YouTube not working? Check out the fixes to YouTube’s common issues

Update: March 25, 2022 (3:35 AM ET): YouTube seems to be down in various parts of the world. Reports on Downdetector and Twitter suggest that videos are not loading for many people on the YouTube app. The web version of YouTube seems to be working fine, though. 

The YouTube team has also responded to complaints on Twitter saying that they are aware of the issue and are looking into it.

If you’re experiencing issues with YouTube, rest assured you are not alone. You can try some of the tips below to make YouTube work again.

Original article: YouTube is the largest online video platform globally, with more than 2.3 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 12 and a custom PC running Windows 11. Keep in mind that steps can be slightly different depending on the device you’re using.

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 like to 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 website

Simply 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 updates

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.

More: 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:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into System.
3. Tap on System update.
4. Select Check for update.
5. Follow instructions if there is an available update.

Restart your device

It’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.

Check your internet connection

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.

Also: These are the best Wi-Fi routers you can find

If you’re using cellular data, you might want to see if your data connection is on:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into Network & internet.
3. Select SIMs.
4. Toggle Mobile data on.
5. If you’re outside your country or network coverage, also toggle Roaming on (this may incur extra charges).

Clear the app’s cache and data

The 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.

Read: Gary explains cache memory

Clear cache on Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into Apps.
3. Find and tap on the YouTube app under See all apps.
4. Tap on Storage & cache.
5. Hit Clear Cache.
6. You can also select Clear storage for a clean start.

Clear the cache on Chrome for Windows:

1. On your Windows computer, open Chrome.
2. Click on the 3-dot menu button on the top-right corner.
3. Go into Settings.
4. Select Security and privacy in the left-side column.
5. Pick Clear browsing data.
6. Check the boxes to select what you want to delete. I like clearing everything if there are serious issues.
7. Select All time in the Time range.
8. Hit Clear data.

Sync your date and time

It 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:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on System.
3. Go into Date & time.
4. Toggle on Set time automatically.
5. Toggle on Set time zone automatically.
6. Toggle on Use location to set time zone.

Sync date and time on Windows:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into Time & Language.
3. Select Date & time in the left-side column.
4. Toggle on Set time automatically.
5. Toggle on Set time zone automatically.

Is the network blocking YouTube?

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 drivers

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:

1. On the Windows search bar, type in Device Manager, and open the app.
2. Expand the section labeled Display adapters.
3. Right-click on your GPU.
4. Select Update driver.
5. Click on Search automatically for drivers.
6. Let the computer do its thing and follow instructions.

Next: Find the best laptops here

Turn off hardware acceleration

Have 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 in regards to hardware acceleration. Try turning it off.

How to turn off hardware acceleration on Chrome for Windows:

1. Open Chrome on your computer.
2. Click on the three-dot menu button in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Expand the Advanced section.
5. Go into System.
6. Toggle off the Use hardware acceleration when available option.

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.