YouTube is one of the most popular video-sharing platforms in the world, but sometimes things go wrong. In this article, we’ll explore common YouTube errors and provide solutions to help you troubleshoot and fix them.
Troubleshoot internet and device connection
If you’re experiencing internet or device connection issues while trying to watch YouTube videos, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem.
First, make sure your internet connection is stable. If you’re on WiFi, try moving closer to the router or resetting it. If you’re using mobile data, try switching to WiFi or a different network.
If the issue persists, try closing and reopening the YouTube app or restarting your device. Clearing the cache and cookies in your browser or YouTube app can also help.
If you’re experiencing lag or a black screen, try lowering the video quality or switching to a different browser or device.
If you’re still having trouble, try updating your device or YouTube app to the latest version. If none of these solutions work, consider checking out alternatives like YouTube Vanced.
Hopefully, these steps will help you fix any YouTube errors and get back to watching your favorite videos without any issues.
Check if YouTube is Down
| Steps to Check if YouTube is Down |
|---|
| Step 1: Go to https://www.youtube.com |
| Step 2: If the site loads, try playing a video. If the video plays, YouTube is not down. If the video does not play, proceed to step 3. |
| Step 3: Check if other websites are working properly. If other websites are not working either, it may be an issue with your internet connection. If other websites are working, proceed to step 4. |
| Step 4: Check if there is an outage reported on the DownDetector website. If there is an outage reported, YouTube is likely down. If there is no outage reported, proceed to step 5. |
| Step 5: Check if there are any announcements or updates on the TeamYouTube Twitter account. If there are no updates, YouTube may not be down. If there are updates, follow the instructions provided by TeamYouTube. |
Clear Cache, Cookies, and Data
To clear cache, cookies, and data in order to fix YouTube errors, follow these steps:
1. On Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select “More Tools” then “Clear browsing data.”
2. Choose a time range and select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data.”
3. Click “Clear data” to complete the process.
For iOS and iPadOS users, follow these steps:
1. Go to “Settings” and click on “Safari.”
2. Select “Clear History and Website Data.”
3. Confirm the action by clicking “Clear History and Data.”
Clearing cache, cookies, and data can help resolve YouTube errors such as lag, black screen, loading screen, and video quality issues. It can also help with viewing and posting comments on YouTube. If you are using YouTube Vanced, the steps to clear cache and data may vary.
For Windows users, you can clear cache, cookies, and data through the settings of your preferred browser. Clearing cache and data regularly can help prevent YouTube errors from occurring in the future. If you are experiencing YouTube errors on an iPhone or iPad, clearing cache and data may also improve performance of the YouTube app.
Inspect Extensions
- Disable all extensions: Start by disabling all extensions on your browser and check if the YouTube error still occurs. If the error disappears, then one of the extensions is the culprit.
- Enable extensions one by one: After disabling all extensions, enable them one by one. Try to watch a YouTube video after enabling each extension to determine which one is causing the error.
- Update extensions: If any of the extensions are outdated, update them to the latest version to ensure compatibility with YouTube.
- Clear browser cache: Clear the cache on your browser to ensure that any outdated data or settings are removed.
- Try a different browser: If the error persists, try using a different browser to determine if the issue is with your current browser.
Update Chrome and YouTube App
To troubleshoot YouTube errors, one of the first things to do is update your Chrome browser and YouTube app. Outdated software can cause a range of issues, including slow loading times and error messages. To update Chrome on desktop, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, select “Help,” and then “About Google Chrome.” From there, Chrome will automatically check for updates and prompt you to install them if available. On mobile devices, go to the App Store or Google Play Store and search for “Chrome” to see if there are any updates available. To update the YouTube app on iOS or Android, go to the respective app store and search for “YouTube.” If an update is available, select “Update.” Keeping your software up to date can help avoid common YouTube errors like buffering or freezing on the loading screen.
Check Site Settings
To check site settings on YouTube, click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select “Settings.” From there, click on “Privacy” and “Site Settings.” Make sure that “JavaScript” is enabled and that “Cookies” are allowed. If you’re experiencing issues with videos not playing, clear your browser’s cache and cookies. If you’re using an iPad or iPhone, make sure that you have the latest version of the YouTube app installed. If you’re having trouble with YouTube comments, try logging out and back in or using a different browser. If you’re using Windows 10, make sure that your operating system and browser are up to date. Checking your YouTube channel settings can also help resolve any playback or upload issues.
Check Proxy Settings
To check your proxy settings for YouTube, go to Settings on your browser and search for Network Settings. Look for a Proxy Settings option and make sure it is turned off. If it’s on, check if the settings are correct or try resetting them. On Windows 10, go to Settings, then Network & Internet, and select Proxy from the left-hand menu. Ensure that it’s turned off or set up correctly. Sometimes, incorrect proxy settings can prevent YouTube videos from loading or playing. If the issue persists, try clearing your browser cache or disabling browser extensions. Don’t forget to check for any updates on your browser or YouTube channel. If you can’t see comments, make sure to disable any ad-blocker or enable JavaScript.
Update Graphics Driver
To fix YouTube errors related to graphics, you may need to update your graphics driver. First, identify your graphics card manufacturer and the model number. Then, visit their website to download the latest driver. Install the driver and restart your computer. If you’re still experiencing issues, try clearing your browser cache or disabling browser extensions. Another option is to try watching the video on a different browser or device. If the problem persists, check YouTube comments or forums to see if others are experiencing similar issues and if there are any known solutions. Remember to always keep your graphics driver up to date to avoid future errors.
Control Hardware Acceleration
To control hardware acceleration and prevent YouTube errors, follow these steps:
1. Open the YouTube video you’re having issues with and pause it.
2. Right-click the video and select “Settings.”
3. Uncheck the box next to “Enable hardware acceleration.”
4. Close the window and reload the video.
If the issue persists, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. If that doesn’t work, try using a different browser or updating your current one. It’s also important to keep your Adobe Flash Player up to date.
By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix any YouTube errors related to hardware acceleration.
Uninstall Unknown Apps
- Identify any unknown apps on your device
- Research the app to determine its purpose and if it’s necessary
- Uninstall any unknown or unnecessary apps
- Restart your device to ensure the changes take effect
- Clear cache and data of YouTube app
- Update YouTube app to the latest version
- Disable any ad-blockers or VPNs that might be interfering with YouTube
- Check your internet connection and speed
- Reset your network settings
- Contact YouTube support if the issue persists
Restore DNS
If you’re encountering YouTube errors, it could be a DNS issue. Here’s how to restore DNS and troubleshoot the problem.
1. Open the Command Prompt on your device.
2. Type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter. This will clear the DNS cache on your device.
3. If the issue persists, try changing your DNS server. Go to your device’s network settings and choose “Manual” for DNS settings.
4. Enter a new DNS server address, such as Google’s 8.8.8.8 or Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1.
5. Save the changes and restart your device.
By restoring DNS, you can resolve YouTube errors and enjoy uninterrupted video streaming.
Reset Network Settings
If you’re experiencing YouTube errors, resetting your network settings may help. This will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, so make sure you have the necessary information before proceeding.
To reset your network settings on iOS, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. On Android, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
After resetting your network settings, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and try accessing YouTube again. If the issue persists, try clearing your browser cache or updating the YouTube app.
Remember, resetting your network settings should be a last resort solution and should only be done after trying other troubleshooting steps.
Update Operating System
Updating your operating system can often fix YouTube errors. Make sure you have the latest version of your operating system installed on your device.
For Windows: Click on the Start Menu and go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Follow the instructions to download and install any available updates.
For Mac: Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner and go to System Preferences > Software Update. Follow the instructions to download and install any available updates.
Once your operating system is up to date, try accessing YouTube again. If you still encounter errors, try clearing your browser cache and cookies or disabling any browser extensions that may be interfering with YouTube.
Use a VPN
Using a VPN can help troubleshoot and fix YouTube errors. First, make sure the VPN is connected and set to a location where YouTube is not blocked. Next, clear the browser cache and cookies. Then, restart the browser and try accessing YouTube again. If the error persists, try disabling any browser extensions or add-ons that may be causing conflicts. Additionally, check if there are any updates available for the browser or the VPN software. Finally, try accessing YouTube from a different device or network to see if the issue is specific to the current setup. Using a VPN may provide a workaround for location-based restrictions or network issues that could be causing YouTube errors.
