This site is not affiliated with YouTube; this is an independent explanation.
YouTube not working can mean many things: the app opens to a blank screen, videos spin forever, you see a message like Something went wrong or An error occurred, or the sound is missing. Each symptom points to a slightly different cause, so it helps to notice exactly what you see before you start.
In most cases the video service itself is fine and the problem sits in your connection, the app's saved data or an old version of the app. This page gives the quick tests first, then the deeper fixes for Android, iPhone, smart TV and the browser. If other apps are also slow, begin with internet not working instead.
Common causes
1Weak or unstable internet
How to tellVideos buffer, or other apps are slow too
What fixes itCompare Wi-Fi with SIM data and test again
2Old app version
How to tellApp crashes on open or shows a blank home feed
What fixes itInstall the newest version from the store
3Full or damaged app cache
How to tellThumbnails missing, endless loading circle
What fixes itClear the app cache in phone settings, then reopen
4Service outage on the video platform
How to tellFriends on other networks also cannot play videos
What fixes itWait and retry; nothing on your side will help
5Wrong date, time or region on the device
How to tellPlayback error appears right after a phone reset or travel
What fixes itLet settings fill in date and time automatically
6Browser extension or ad blocker clash
How to tellWorks in the app but not on the website
What fixes itTry a private window or turn extensions off
7Low storage or memory on the phone
How to tellPhone is slow and other apps close by themselves
What fixes itFree up space and close background apps
How to fix it, step by step
Test one video on a different connection
Play any short video on Wi-Fi, then on mobile data. If it plays on one and not the other, the fault is your network, not the app. For data trouble see mobile data not working.
Close the app completely and open it again
Flick the app off your recents screen, wait a breath, then launch it once more. This clears a stuck session without losing anything.
Restart the phone, TV or computer
A full restart clears memory that the app may have filled up. On a phone, long-press the power key and tap restart. On a TV, switch it off at the remote, wait a minute, and turn it on.
Update the app and your system software
If the store listing for this app shows an Update button, press it. Also check for a system update, because very old Android or iOS versions can stop supporting newer apps.
Clear cache on Android
Under Settings, then Apps, pick the video app and press Clear cache inside its Storage page. Try this before clearing data, since clearing data also signs you out and removes downloads.
Reinstall the app on iPhone
iPhone has no cache button for apps. Delete the app, restart the phone and install it again from the app store. Your account and subscriptions stay with your sign-in.
Fix date, time and sign-in
Turn on automatic date and time. Then sign out of your account inside the app and sign in again, which refreshes the login token.
Try the website in a private window
On a computer or phone browser, open a private window and play a video. If it works there, clear the browser cache or disable extensions one by one.
Why is YouTube not working today for everyone
Sometimes the service really is down. Signs of a wide outage are that friends on other mobile networks, and people on home broadband, all describe the same fault together. Search for the service's official social account, which usually posts when something is broken.
If it is a platform outage, you cannot fix it. Do not clear data or reinstall, since that only removes your downloads and logins. Wait, then try again after some time.
YouTube not working on TV and other screens
On a smart TV the app is a separate version and can lag behind the phone app. Check the TV's app list for an update, restart the TV, and confirm the TV's date and time are right. If the TV shows no network, fix that first using smart TV problems or the WiFi not working guide.
If the app is stuck, remove it from the TV and install it again. Casting from a phone also fails when the phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi names.
Error messages and what they mean
| Message | Usual meaning | First thing to try |
|---|---|---|
| Something went wrong | Loading failed, often a network blip | Pull down to refresh, then restart the app |
| An error occurred. Playback ID shown | The video stream could not start | Update the app, clear cache, try another network |
| No connection | Phone cannot reach the internet | Toggle airplane mode |
| Video unavailable | Removed, private or blocked in your region | Nothing to fix; try a different video |
| Black screen with sound | Video playback issue on the device | Update the app, restart the phone |
You open a video and see An error occurred. Please try again later with a long playback ID below it. The ID is for support only. Clear the cache and try on mobile data before doing anything else.
Sound not working on YouTube
If the picture plays but you hear nothing, check the volume slider inside the player, then the phone's media volume, which is separate from the ringer. Unplug earphones or disconnect Bluetooth speakers that may be taking the audio. For hardware faults see phone speaker not working.
Use only the official app
Modified or patched copies of video apps, often shared as APK files, break when the service changes and can carry malware or steal your login. If one has stopped working, do not look for another copy. Install the official app from your phone's app store instead.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my YouTube not working on my phone but fine on other phones?
That points to your phone or your network. Update the app, clear its cache, restart the phone and check that date and time are automatic. If it still fails, test on a different network.
What to do when YouTube is not working and videos keep buffering?
Lower the video quality in the player settings, sit nearer the router, or change to mobile data. Constant buffering almost always means a slow or unstable connection.
Is YouTube not working today for everyone?
Check with someone on another operator or read the service's official social account. If several people see the same problem, it is an outage and you only need to wait.
How do I fix an error occurred playback ID message?
Install the latest version, empty the cache and test another network. If it happens on one video only, that video may be restricted or removed.
Why does YouTube not work on my TV?
The TV app may be out of date, the TV's clock may be wrong, or the TV is not connected to the internet. Update or reinstall the app and restart the TV and router.