YouTube Videos Not Playing? 10 Quick Fixes

Quick Fix

Refresh the page (F5 or Ctrl+R), then clear your browser cache with Ctrl+Shift+Delete. If on mobile, force close the YouTube app and reopen it. Most playback issues are temporary glitches.

Understanding YouTube Playback Problems

When YouTube videos won’t play, you might see endless buffering, black screens, error messages, or the video stuck on a frame. This affects all devices – computers, phones, tablets, and smart TVs.

Common causes include slow internet, browser issues, outdated apps, ad blockers interfering, or YouTube server problems. Sometimes ISPs throttle video streaming.

These fixes work across browsers and devices with minor variations.

Method 1: Refresh and Check Internet

1. Press F5 or click refresh button
2. Test internet speed at speedtest.net
3. YouTube needs 5+ Mbps for HD video
4. Try loading other websites
5. Restart router if internet is slow
6. Try a different video to rule out specific video issues

Method 2: Clear Browser Cache

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
2. Select All time for time range
3. Check Cached images and files
4. Check Cookies
5. Click Clear data
6. Restart browser and try YouTube

Method 3: Disable Browser Extensions

1. Ad blockers often break YouTube
2. Open browser extensions menu
3. Disable all extensions temporarily
4. Try playing a video
5. If it works, enable extensions one by one
6. Whitelist YouTube in your ad blocker

Method 4: Try Incognito/Private Mode

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Chrome)
2. Or Ctrl + Shift + P (Firefox/Edge)
3. Go to YouTube and play a video
4. If it works, issue is with extensions or cache
5. Clear data or check extensions

Method 5: Update Browser

1. Go to browser menu > Help > About
2. Browser will check for updates
3. Install any available updates
4. Restart browser
5. Outdated browsers may not support YouTube’s player

Method 6: Change Video Quality

1. Click the gear icon on video player
2. Select Quality
3. Choose a lower resolution (480p or 720p)
4. If video plays, your internet may be too slow for HD
5. Lower quality uses less bandwidth

Method 7: Disable Hardware Acceleration

1. Go to browser Settings
2. Search for “hardware acceleration”
3. Toggle it OFF
4. Restart browser
5. Hardware acceleration can cause video issues
6. Test YouTube playback

Method 8: Update YouTube App (Mobile)

1. Open App Store or Play Store
2. Search for YouTube
3. Tap Update if available
4. Clear app cache in phone settings
5. Force close and reopen YouTube
6. Sign out and back in if needed

Preventing YouTube Issues

• Keep browser and YouTube app updated
• Clear cache monthly
• Use wired connection for reliable streaming
• Whitelist YouTube in ad blockers
• Check internet speed regularly

FAQ

Why do some videos play but not others?

Could be age-restricted content (sign in required), region-blocked videos, or the specific video has processing issues. Try different videos to confirm.

Why does YouTube buffer constantly?

Slow internet connection. Lower video quality, check if others are using bandwidth, or connect via Ethernet instead of WiFi.

Why is there no sound on YouTube?

Check volume is up on video player AND system. Check if video is muted (speaker icon with X). Try a different video to confirm it’s not the specific video.

Why does YouTube work on phone but not computer?

Browser-specific issue. Try a different browser, clear cache, or disable extensions. The YouTube app uses different technology than browsers.

Is YouTube down right now?

Check downdetector.com/status/youtube for outage reports. If YouTube is down, wait for them to fix it – usually resolves quickly.

Why does YouTube keep stopping/pausing?

May be “Are you still watching?” prompt, or internet interruptions. Also check if you have background app restrictions on mobile.