Quick answer
First, recover your Google Account: if you can still sign in, change your password and run the Security Checkup; if you can’t, use Google’s account recovery and answer the questions as best you can. Then clean up the channel with the cleanup tool in YouTube Studio (if YouTube detected unusual activity) or by hand: delete videos you didn’t upload, remove unknown users, and restore your channel name, handle, picture and banner. If the channel was terminated, recover the Google Account first, then appeal. YouTube says it can only help with hacks from the past 9 months.
Does this match what you see?
- Your channel name, picture, banner or description changed without you.
- Videos you didn’t upload appear on your channel, or you get strike emails.
- Your email settings or AdSense link were changed.
- You can’t sign in to the Google Account that owns the channel.
iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)
Based on YouTube Help pages read directly from support.google.com. YouTube also offers a hacked channel assistant (chat) in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Why this happens: the possible causes
Signs YouTube lists that your channel has been hacked, and common ways it happens.
| What you see | Do this |
|---|---|
| Can’t sign in | Recover the Google Account |
| Channel changes you didn’t make | Clean up the channel |
| Strike emails for videos you didn’t post | Delete them or contact YouTube |
| Channel terminated | Recover, then appeal |
- A stolen passwordCheck this first
YouTube says stolen passwords are one of the most common causes of compromised accounts.
- MalwareCheck this first
YouTube says malware often arrives as a password-protected, zipped file ending in .scr or .exe, from links in spam or fake sponsorship emails, untrusted downloads, or fake software updates.
- Another user with access was hackedPossible
YouTube says channel managers and owners should secure their own Google Accounts too.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Check for changes you didn’t make: profile picture, description, email settings, AdSense, sent messages and uploads.
- Don’t open “sponsorship” attachments ending in .scr or .exe.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Step 1: Recover and secure your Google Account
YouTube says the first step is to recover and secure the hacked Google Account linked to your channel.
- If you can still sign in: update your password and run Google’s Security Checkup.
- If you can’t sign in: follow Google’s account recovery steps and answer the verification questions as best you can.
- When asked to reset your password, choose a strong password you haven’t used on this account before.
- Ask any channel managers or owners to secure their own Google Accounts the same way.
Our note: only do this on Google’s own sign-in and recovery screens, never through a link in an email or message.
Did it work? You can sign in, and Security Checkup shows no unrecognized devices or sessions.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: Step 2: Undo the hacker’s changes with YouTube’s cleanup tool
YouTube says to revert unwanted changes immediately, to avoid Community Guidelines or copyright strikes.
- In YouTube Studio, open the cleanup tool and click Start review. YouTube says this only appears if unusual activity was detected, and only for channel owners and managers.
- Mark the changes you made, then review YouTube’s plan for fixing the rest.
- Check who has permissions on the channel, and update roles or remove access.
- Complete any extra steps listed, then submit.
YouTube says changes should be made within a few hours, and you’ll get an email with a link to track your request. You can edit your review until the date in the email, usually 30 days later, but you can’t undo changes you marked as unauthorized.
Did it work? Your channel details are back to how they were.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 3: No cleanup tool? Clean up by hand
YouTube gives manual cleanup steps for channels where the tool isn’t offered.
- Videos you didn’t upload: if they have no strikes or copyright claims, delete them. If they do, contact YouTube.
- Unknown users: remove their access in YouTube Studio, or remove them from the Brand Account.
- Name, handle, picture and banner: restore them quickly, so the channel isn’t suspended for trademark infringement. If you can’t change the name, delete any translations first.
- Check video privacy settings (YouTube says hackers may hide your videos), recent comments by the channel, playlists, custom thumbnails, subscriptions, and AdSense and Content Manager settings.
- Check the Dashboard for new Community Guidelines strikes. If there are any, contact YouTube to start an investigation.
Did it work? No unknown videos, users or settings remain.
Did Fix 3 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 3. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Channel terminated after the hack
YouTube says to recover your Google Account first, then appeal using its form. The appeal may be rejected if the recovery isn’t complete. YouTube says it can only support hacks from the past 9 months, because of Google’s data retention policy.
Eligible creators, such as YouTube Partner Program members, who have recovered their account can contact Creator Support. If that isn’t available, YouTube points to @TeamYouTube on X.
Secure your channel so it doesn’t happen again
- Scan for malware: YouTube recommends Enhanced Safe Browsing in Google Chrome plus antivirus software, because antivirus may not scan some encrypted files.
- 2-Step Verification with a passkey: YouTube ranks options from strongest to weakest: passkeys, security keys, Google Prompts, Google Authenticator, phone codes, then backup codes.
- Recovery options: add a recovery phone number and email so you can get back in if you’re locked out.
- Everyone with access: use Channel Permissions and Brand Account tools so only authorized accounts have access, don’t share passwords, and use a separate email for your channel.
How to know it worked
- Only you and people you trust have access, 2-Step Verification is on, and your channel looks the way you left it.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Use YouTube’s hacked channel assistant, linked from its Recover a hacked YouTube channel page.
- Instagram or Facebook hacked too? See Instagram hacked or Facebook hacked.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
Frequently asked questions
How do I recover a hacked YouTube channel?
YouTube says recover and secure the Google Account first, then undo the hacker’s changes, then secure every account with access to the channel.
Is there a time limit to recover a hacked YouTube channel?
YouTube says it can only support hacks from the past 9 months, because of Google’s data retention policy.
Will I get a strike for videos the hacker uploaded?
YouTube says to delete videos you didn’t upload right away. If they already have strikes or claims, contact YouTube.
My hacked channel was terminated. Can I get it back?
YouTube says recover your Google Account first, then appeal. The appeal may be rejected if recovery isn’t complete.
What’s the best way to protect my YouTube channel?
YouTube recommends 2-Step Verification with a passkey, Enhanced Safe Browsing and antivirus, and recovery options on your Google Account.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Recover a hacked YouTube channel (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Clean up a hacked YouTube channel (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Secure your YouTube channel (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 28 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 28 April 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 28 October 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google or YouTube. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.