YouTube Not Loading? 10 Quick Fixes

Quick Fix

YouTube not loading? Clear browser cache: press Ctrl+Shift+Delete, select cached images/files, clear data. Or try incognito mode (Ctrl+Shift+N). On the app, force close and reopen. Check if YouTube is down at downdetector.com. Also try switching between WiFi and mobile data.

Why Won’t YouTube Load?

YouTube loading issues come from browser cache, extensions blocking content, slow internet, YouTube server problems, or outdated app. Both browser and app have separate causes requiring different troubleshooting steps.

Method 1: Clear Browser Cache

Cached data causes loading issues.

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac)
2. Select Cached images and files
3. Select time range: All time
4. Click Clear data
5. Refresh YouTube

Method 2: Try Incognito Mode

Test without extensions.

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Chrome) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Firefox)
2. Go to youtube.com
3. If it works, an extension is causing issues
4. Disable extensions one by one to find culprit

Method 3: Disable Extensions

Ad blockers often break YouTube.

1. Click menu > Extensions
2. Disable ad blockers first
3. Disable other extensions
4. Refresh YouTube
5. Re-enable one at a time to find issue

Method 4: Check Internet Connection

YouTube needs good bandwidth.

1. Test internet at speedtest.net
2. YouTube needs 3+ Mbps for SD, 5+ for HD
3. Restart router if speed is slow
4. Switch between WiFi and mobile data
5. Move closer to router

Method 5: Update Browser

Old browsers have compatibility issues.

1. Click menu > Help > About
2. Browser will check for updates
3. Install if available
4. Restart browser
5. Try YouTube again

Method 6: Force Close App (Mobile)

Restart the YouTube app.

1. iPhone: Swipe up, swipe YouTube away
2. Android: Recent apps, swipe YouTube away
3. Wait 5 seconds
4. Reopen YouTube app

Method 7: Clear App Cache (Mobile)

App cache causes problems.

1. Android: Settings > Apps > YouTube > Storage > Clear Cache
2. iPhone: Offload App (Settings > General > iPhone Storage > YouTube)
3. Reopen app
4. Sign in if needed

Method 8: Update YouTube App

Outdated app won’t work properly.

1. Go to App Store or Google Play
2. Search for YouTube
3. Tap Update if available
4. Open app after update

Method 9: Check YouTube Status

YouTube may be down.

1. Visit downdetector.com/status/youtube
2. Check for reported outages
3. If YouTube is down, wait for fix
4. Outages usually resolve within hours

Method 10: Try Different Browser

Browser may be incompatible.

1. Try Chrome, Firefox, or Edge
2. YouTube works best in Chrome
3. If works in different browser, original has issues
4. Reset original browser settings

FAQ

Why does YouTube keep buffering?

Buffering indicates slow internet or server load. Lower video quality (click gear icon > Quality) to 480p or lower. Close other tabs and apps using bandwidth. Try during off-peak hours.

Why does YouTube show black screen?

Black screen usually means browser extension conflict or hardware acceleration issues. Disable ad blockers, try incognito mode. If still black, disable hardware acceleration in browser settings.

Why won’t YouTube play on smart TV?

Smart TV YouTube app needs updating or reinstalling. Check for app updates in TV’s app store. Clear app cache in TV settings. If issues persist, uninstall and reinstall the YouTube app.