Youtube Videos Not Playing: 6 Ways To Fix When It Stop Working Properly

There are numerous reasons why YouTube is not playing any video depending on the device you use to watch it. A faulty VPN app, bugs, cache files, and other factors can cause YouTube to stop working properly.

So, let’s look at some of these causes and solutions.

How to Fix

Let’s begin with the most basic solutions. Start the YouTube app or website again. Try signing out and back in to YouTube. But, if the problem persists, let’s look at some other viable solutions. m.

Disable Ad-Blocking Software/Plugins

If you frequently use ad-blocking apps on your phone or ad-blocking plugins on your computer, this could be one of the reasons YouTube is not playing videos. This is due to the fact that such apps/plugins continue to collect your data while running in the background. This uses a lot of bandwidth and power, causing some apps/websites to lag, such as YouTube.

In some cases, ad-blocker tools may also contain bugs, resulting in issues like this. As a result, we recommend turning them off or uninstalling them entirely.

Check other extensions on your PC, similar to ad-blocker plugins. Although attractive and entertaining browser extensions are appealing, not all are trustworthy. Some contain bugs, corrupted files, and viruses, which can cause websites such as YouTube to crash and stop playing videos.

Simply look up the owner of the extension and do some research to see if it’s credible. Examine the number of users and the number of reviews. Then, uninstall any extensions that don’t appear to be very reliable. You can now reopen YouTube and see if that helps.

VPN Enable/Disable

VPNs can help you access restricted content and hide your IP address. However, this seemingly good friend may have a few issues. Some untrustworthy VPNs may invite viruses and bugs, causing apps like YouTube to lag, freeze, and fail to respond.

In other cases, the process by which a VPN encrypts and transfers data consumes a significant amount of bandwidth. As a result, your device’s overall performance may suffer as a result. As a result, YouTube may not play any videos. As a result, if you don’t need a VPN, we recommend turning it off or uninstalling it.

If a video is geographically restricted, YouTube will display an error message or refuse to play it. You can use your VPN to watch such videos. However, it is best to only use reliable VPNs and turn them off when not in use.

Delete Cache

Cache files keep track of your browsing history, login credentials, searches, likes, and other information. These saved files help to speed up your YouTube browsing experience. However, if not cleared on a regular basis, these cache files can become corrupted over time. These corrupted files can cause YouTube to stall and stop playing videos.

Here’s how to clear your device’s cache:

On Android

• Go to Settings.
• Select and open YouTube.
• Go to Storage.
• Tap on Clear Cache.

On the iPhone

On the iPhone, there is no option to Clear Cache. While a few apps include a Clear Cache option, the vast majority do not. To clear the cache, you’ll need to uninstall and reinstall the app.

If you don’t want to uninstall YouTube, you can manually delete your history and searches. Although this is not a complete cache clearing procedure, it may help with minor issues such as the video not playing.

On Chrome for Windows

• Press down Ctrl + Shift + Delete all at once. This will open a pop-up window to clear the browsing data.
• Check the boxes for what you want to delete. You can also choose the timeline as well.
• Click on Clear Data.

On Safari for Mac

• Open Safari and open History.
• Click on Clear History and open the menu.
• Click on Clear History. You can also choose the timeline here as well.

Disable Hardware Acceleration

This is primarily for PC users. By default, hardware acceleration is enabled. This is when your software collaborates with hardware components to improve the performance of your computer.

However, the computer will occasionally send tasks to the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) rather than the CPU. Browsers may lag or freeze as a result of this. As a result, YouTube may not function properly.

You can turn off Hardware Acceleration to help YouTube work again. Here’s how you can do so:

On Chrome

• Open Settings from the three dots on the top-right corner.
• Go to Advanced Settings.
• Click on System. Turn off the toggle option that’s called Use Hardware Acceleration When Available.
• Restart Chrome.

On Firefox

Turning on hardware acceleration in Firefox is more difficult than in other browsers. The hardware acceleration switch was previously located in Settings>General>Performance. However, the steps are becoming more difficult. To do so, you must

• Open Firefox and search about:config
• You will see a Proceed with Caution page, click on accept the risk and continue
• Type layers.acceleration.force-enabled on the searchbox.
• Toggle on the double arrow icon and set it to false.
• Then, again type *gfx.webrender.force-disabled *on the searchbox.
• Toggle the double arrow icon again to set it to false.

GPU Driver Upgrade

You may be unable to play YouTube if your computer is incompatible with the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). As a result, updating the GPU driver can assist in resolving this issue.

• Open Device Manager.
• Double-click on Display Adapters.
• Hit right-click on the GPU. From the menu, you can either Update, disable, or uninstall the driver. Click on the Update driver.
• You’ll get a pop-up window with two options. Click on Search automatically for drivers.
• You can restart your computer and try to open YouTube again.

Bonus Tips

Here are a few additional tips if you’re having problems with the above fixes.

• Select Auto for video quality.
• Open the video in Incognito Mode first.
• Update the browser to the most recent version.
• If you’re using a mobile hotspot, set the internet bandwidth frequency to 5GHz.
• Restart your browser.
• YouTube should be uninstalled and reinstalled.
• Try opening YouTube on another device.
• Clear out the space on your phone.
• Close any background apps or programs.
• Update both your phone and computer to the most recent version.

FAQ:

Why am I experiencing buffering while playing YouTube videos?

This could be due to a slow internet connection or a large number of devices connected to the same network. Try reducing the number of devices using the internet, or upgrading your internet connection speed.

Why is YouTube showing an error message when I try to play a video?

This could be due to geographical restrictions, or the video being removed by the uploader or YouTube itself. Try using a reliable VPN or checking if the video is still available on YouTube.

Can YouTube videos be played offline?

Yes, YouTube videos can be saved offline for later viewing through YouTube’s official offline feature or third-party video downloaders. However, downloading copyrighted material is illegal and violates YouTube’s terms of service.

How can I improve the video quality on YouTube?

You can select a higher video quality setting in the YouTube player settings or try selecting the “auto” option. Additionally, ensure that your internet connection speed is fast enough to handle higher quality video streaming.

Why is the sound not working on YouTube?

This could be due to your device’s volume settings, or the video itself may not have any sound. Check your device’s volume settings and try playing a different video to see if the issue persists.

Conclusion

YouTube not playing videos can be frustrating, but it is a common issue with various causes. From cache files to VPNs, faulty apps, and slow internet connections, several factors can cause YouTube to stop working properly.

Fortunately, there are various solutions available, from disabling ad-blockers and VPNs to clearing cache files, turning off hardware acceleration, and upgrading GPU drivers. By following these simple steps, users can quickly fix the issue and enjoy their favorite videos on YouTube again.