When YouTube won’t load videos, check speed, update your browser, trim extensions, clear cache, and reset the app or device.
You came here because a clip stalls, a spinner loops, or the player sits blank. This guide solves the most common reasons YouTube refuses to play. Start at the top, work down, and you should get playback running without guesswork.
YouTube Not Loading Videos: Fast Checks That Save Time
Before deep fixes, rule out simple blockers. These are fast, safe, and tend to fix half of cases.
- Test another video and channel to isolate a bad upload.
- Toggle Wi-Fi or mobile data off and on, then retry.
- Sign out and back in; account hiccups do happen.
- Switch quality to 480p or 720p to see if the stream starts.
- Try a different browser or the mobile app to split app vs network.
Symptoms, Likely Causes, And Fast Fixes
Match your symptom to a cause and a quick fix in the table. Hit the linked sections below if the issue fits.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Endless buffering | Slow or unstable link | Run a speed test, drop quality, or restart router |
| Player never appears | Extension blocks scripts | Open in Incognito/Private; disable ad blocker just for YouTube |
| Black screen with sound | Hardware acceleration glitch | Turn off hardware acceleration in browser settings |
| “Your browser can’t play this” | Outdated browser or codec path | Update browser; try a supported one |
| Only low resolutions show | Device or account mode cap | Sign out, switch device, or check Quality > Advanced |
| Works on LTE, not on Wi-Fi | Router DNS or ISP cache | Power-cycle router; change DNS to a public resolver |
| App spins forever | Corrupt cache or data | Clear app cache/data; reinstall the app |
| TV app plays 360p | Weak link or HDCP path | Use Ethernet; check HDMI cable and input path |
Check Connection Speed And Stability
YouTube needs a steady link. Spikes and drops break the buffer and stall the stream. Run a speed test. If you share a line, pause heavy downloads and retry. For flaky Wi-Fi, move closer to the router, switch to 5 GHz, or plug in Ethernet. If the modem or router has been up for days, pull the power for 30 seconds and let it boot fresh.
As a rule of thumb, HD streams want a few megabits per second and 4K needs far more. YouTube’s help page lists typical sustained speeds by quality tier; scan the table there if you need an exact target on video error fixes. If you keep falling short, lower the quality menu or watch later when the line is free. You can also cache a clip by letting it preload on a stable connection, then watch without skips.
Update To A Supported Browser
Old builds break modern players. Install the newest release of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari, then restart the browser. If you use a niche browser, try one on the supported list and compare. If the site works on a mainstream build, the issue sits with the custom stack or an add-on.
On desktop, enable JavaScript and media playback. If a privacy mode blocks third-party cookies, the player can fail to fetch tokens. Try a standard window or allow cookies for youtube.com and googlevideo.com. If you see a message about an unsupported version, grab the latest build and try again.
Extensions And Content Blockers
Add-ons often interfere with the script loader, ads, or tracking calls the player expects. Open a Private window; most extensions are off there. If the video plays, turn extensions back on one by one until the fault returns. Keep your blocker but add youtube.com to the allow-list. For strict filter lists, update the lists or try a lighter mode.
Tools that rewrite headers, strip cookies, or force HTTPS on mixed content can also break playback. VPNs that route through busy exits can starve the stream. Pause the VPN and retest. If you need a tunnel, pick a closer exit or a server with lower load.
Clear Corrupt Cache And Cookies
Browsers hold cached chunks and tokens. When those stale bits clash with fresh scripts, the player can spin. Clear cookies and cached images for YouTube and restart the browser. If you prefer a surgical approach, clear only site data for youtube.com and accounts.google.com, then reload the page and sign in again. Incognito testing can prove the point without wiping anything.
Fix App Cache On Android Or iOS
If the mobile app stalls, clear the app cache first. On Android, long-press the app, tap App info, Storage, then Clear cache. If playback still fails, Clear data, which resets settings and forces a fresh sign-in. On iOS, remove and reinstall the app to flush corrupt data. Update the OS, reboot the phone, and try again on Wi-Fi and mobile data to isolate the path.
Rule Out A Service Outage
Widespread issues are rare, yet they happen. If many users report the same fault and your tests fail on every device and network, check Google’s status page and social channels. When a platform bug limits resolution or blocks streams, local tweaks won’t help; you wait for a fix from the service.
Quality Menu, Codecs, And “Stats For Nerds”
The gear icon lets you pick a quality cap. If the list tops at 480p or 720p, the device, browser, or connection may be limiting the ladder. Check the codec in Stats for Nerds. Many desktop streams use VP9 or AV1. Some older devices use H.264 only. If your setup lacks hardware decode for AV1 or VP9, switching browsers or turning off the AV1 toggle in settings can help. On TVs, use the native app; many set-top browsers lack codec paths.
Hardware Acceleration Glitches
GPU paths boost playback but can fail after a driver update. In Chrome or Edge, open Settings > System and turn off Use hardware acceleration when available, then restart. In Firefox, open Settings > General and uncheck Use recommended performance settings. If this clears the black screen or crash, update your GPU driver from the vendor site and try turning acceleration back on.
DNS, Router Rules, And ISP Filters
When YouTube loads but videos won’t start, DNS or filtering can be the gate. Change DNS on the router or device to a well known public resolver. Turn off firewall “safe web” filters or parental controls, then test. If the stream starts, re-enable features one by one and allow googlevideo.com. On some routers, QoS marks throttle large streams; disable the rule or give streaming high priority.
Smart TVs, Consoles, And Streaming Sticks
Living-room apps use different code paths than browsers, and hiccups tend to be device-specific. Update the YouTube app from the device store. Sign out and back in. Reboot the TV fully by unplugging it for a minute. If Wi-Fi is crowded, wire up Ethernet. For HDMI gear, swap to a known good cable and use a port that supports HDCP with the display. Old firmware can cap resolution or break DRM, so run system updates and try again.
Reset The App Or Browser Cleanly
When nothing else works, reset settings. In Chrome, reset settings to default, which turns off extensions and clears custom flags. In the mobile app, clear data or reinstall. This gives you a clean baseline. If playback works clean, add back extensions, flags, and tweaks in small steps and test after each change.
When Only One Channel Fails
If every clip from a single channel fails, the upload may use a codec or DRM mode your device resists, or the video may still be processing high-res ladders. Try the same clip on a different device. If one works, wait for processing to finish or report the issue to the creator with your device and browser details.
Network Checklist You Can Print
Use this table while you test. It narrows network-side snags in minutes.
| Step | What To Do | Result To Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Speed test | Run at peak and off-peak | Stable Mbps near plan rate |
| Local vs mobile | Try phone on LTE and on Wi-Fi | Only Wi-Fi fails = router path |
| DNS swap | Change to a public resolver | Faster starts or fewer errors |
| Router reboot | Power off 30 seconds | Fresh sessions, clean cache |
| Ethernet test | Bypass Wi-Fi to the router | Smooth HD points to Wi-Fi |
| VPN toggle | Off first, then a closer exit | Stall gone when off or closer |
Safe Tips For Parents And Shared Devices
Family filters, DNS blocks, and profile limits can stop playback without telling you why. Check the router’s parental area, OS family settings, and any content filter apps. Allow youtube.com and googlevideo.com. If a kid’s profile blocks the app, switch to your profile to test. Place the router in a central spot and set a guest network for visitors so your main network stays tidy.
Proof You Can Use While Troubleshooting
Keep a short log: time, device, browser or app version, network path, and a link to the video. Grab a screenshot of Stats for Nerds and any error text. If you reach out to support, that record speeds up triage and cuts back-and-forth.
When To Call Your ISP Or Device Maker
If streams fail on YouTube and other players, the fault is likely upstream. Share your log, mention exact times, and ask the agent to check congestion and packet loss. If only one device fails and every other fix bombed, contact the device maker for a firmware or app rebuild.
Keep Playback Smooth Next Time
Update browsers, apps, and OS builds on a schedule. Reboot routers monthly. Keep extensions lean. Use Ethernet for TVs when you can. Choose a mesh kit for large homes. When you add new gear, test a few 4K clips right away. Small habits prevent long hunts later.
References: YouTube’s help pages list speed targets and common error fixes, and the supported browsers page shows which builds are maintained today.