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YouTube Videos Not Playing or Buffering? Fixes for Phone, Computer and TV

When YouTube videos buffer or won’t play, YouTube’s own troubleshooting starts with your connection: it lists the sustained speed each quality needs, from 0.7 Mbps for 360p to 20 Mbps for 4K. After that come quick fixes on your side: switching networks, closing and reopening the app or browser, updating, clearing the cache, and checking ad blockers and extensions. This guide covers phones, computers and TVs, plus videos with no sound.

Reviewed 7 min read 4 fixes Videos & playback

Quick answer

First, switch networks (Wi-Fi to mobile data or the other way) and replay the video. Run a speed test: YouTube says 1080p needs a sustained 5 Mbps and 4K 20 Mbps, so lower the quality if your speed is lower. Then close and reopen the app or browser, restart your device, and update the app, browser and system. On Android, clear the YouTube app’s cache. In a browser, clear cache and cookies, and turn off ad blockers and extensions. On a TV, unplug it for at least 30 seconds. No sound? Check the volume in the player, your device’s sound settings, then restart.

What’s happening?

Does this match what you see?

  • Videos keep pausing to buffer or stay on a loading circle.
  • The picture is blurry or quality keeps dropping.
  • Videos won’t start, or stop partway through.
  • Video plays but there’s no sound.
  • YouTube on your TV won’t play videos.

iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)

Based on YouTube Help pages read directly from support.google.com. Menu names vary by phone, browser and TV model.

Why this happens: the possible causes

The causes YouTube’s troubleshooting pages point to, in the order they suggest checking them.

Playback problem and what to check
What’s happeningCheck first
Buffering, blurry videoInternet speed and quality
Won’t play on phoneSwitch network, clear cache
Won’t play in browserExtensions, ad blockers, cache
No soundVolume and sound settings
Problems on a TVPower cycle, speed
  • Your connection is too slow for the qualityCheck this first

    YouTube lists sustained speeds for each quality, and notes that several devices on the same network can reduce your speed.

  • App or browser problemsCheck this first

    YouTube suggests closing and reopening, updating, and clearing the cache or cookies.

  • Ad blockers or extensionsPossible

    YouTube says to check whether ad blockers or other extensions interfere, and to allow ads on YouTube.

  • You’re signed outPossible

    YouTube says signed-out users may be blocked from some videos.

  • A temporary YouTube problemPossible

    YouTube says it may show a minimal watch page during rare service interruptions.

Try these 60-second checks first

  • Try a different video. If only one won’t play, the problem may be that video.
  • Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, then replay.

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: Switch networks, then replay the video

Safe & reversible1 miniPhone & iPadAndroid

YouTube’s first step for buffering or loading problems is to try a different internet connection.

  1. If you’re on mobile data, connect to Wi-Fi.
  2. If you’re on Wi-Fi, switch to mobile data (data rates may apply).
  3. Replay the video.

YouTube also says to make sure data usage for YouTube is turned on in your device settings.

Did it work? The video plays without buffering.

Fix 2: Check your speed against what YouTube needs

Safe & reversible3 miniPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)

YouTube says to run a speed test to confirm your connection supports the video’s resolution.

  1. Restart your internet connection (router or mobile data).
  2. Run an internet speed test. YouTube notes that several devices on the same network can reduce your speed.
  3. Compare your speed with YouTube’s recommended sustained speeds: 4K: 20 Mbps, 1080p: 5 Mbps, 720p: 2.5 Mbps, 480p: 1.1 Mbps, 360p: 0.7 Mbps.
  4. If your speed is lower, lower the video quality in the player’s settings.

YouTube also mentions Stats for Nerds in the player for playback details.

Did it work? The video plays smoothly at the quality you chose.

Fix 3: Close, restart and update

Safe & reversible5 miniPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)

YouTube’s general fixes are to close and reopen the app or browser, restart the device, and update everything.

iPhone & iPad

  1. Close and reopen the YouTube app, then restart your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Update the YouTube app and your device’s software.
  3. If it still fails, uninstall and reinstall the app.

Android

  1. Close and reopen the YouTube app, then restart your device.
  2. Clear the app’s cache: Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > YouTube > Storage & cache > Clear cache. Replay the video.
  3. Update the YouTube app and your device’s software. If it still fails, uninstall and reinstall the app.

Computer (browser)

  1. Close extra tabs, then close and reopen your browser.
  2. Update your browser and your computer. YouTube suggests using Google Chrome.
  3. Restart your computer.

YouTube also says to sign in: signed-out users may be blocked from some videos.

Did it work? Videos play normally after the restart.

Fix 4: In a browser: cache, cookies, extensions and ad blockers

Safe & reversible5 minComputer (browser)

YouTube says to check whether ad blockers or other extensions interfere, and to clear your browser’s cache and cookies.

  1. Open an incognito or private window with extensions turned off and try the video. If it plays, an extension is likely the cause.
  2. Allow ads on YouTube and turn off ad blockers.
  3. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
  4. Use the latest version of a supported browser: YouTube names Chrome, Firefox and Safari.
  5. Check your DNS settings are the servers you chose and haven’t been changed by third-party apps.

Did it work? The video plays in your normal browser window.

Video plays but there’s no sound

If the video’s volume button is off or there’s no sound, YouTube says to:

  1. Make sure sound or volume is turned on in your browser or on your device (and in the YouTube player).
  2. Check your device’s sound settings.
  3. Restart your browser or device.

Our tip: if you use Bluetooth headphones or a speaker, check the sound isn’t going to a device you’ve forgotten is connected.

YouTube not playing on your TV

  • Speed: YouTube recommends at least 7 Mbps for HD on a TV. Test the speed near the TV, keep the device in range of your router, and reduce other devices on the network.
  • Quality: open Settings in the player, select Quality, and choose a lower setting if available.
  • Restart the app: press Home, reopen YouTube and replay.
  • Sign out and back in: from your profile, sign out, then sign in again from Settings (you may need a code).
  • Power cycle: unplug the TV or device, wait at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
  • Update: install system updates from the device’s settings and check its app store for YouTube updates.
  • Other ways to watch: cast from another device with Chromecast, or connect a laptop by HDMI.

Primetime Channels on your TV: YouTube says in the YouTube app, select Settings (bottom right) > Broadcast Delay > Decrease (fewer live spoilers) or Default (fewer interruptions).

Seeing an error message instead?

YouTube lists errors such as “Playback error. Tap to retry.”, “Connection to server lost.”, “Something went wrong. Tap to retry.” and “Something went wrong. Refresh or try again later.” See what each one means in our guide to YouTube errors, including error 400.

If you see “Error loading the page, please try again.”, YouTube says it may be showing a minimal page during a rare service interruption. Reload or try again later.

“This video isn’t available in your country”

YouTube says video owners can choose to make their content available only in certain countries or regions, often for licensing reasons, and YouTube may also block specific content to comply with local laws.

Our note: this is a decision about the video, not a fault on your device, and we don’t give ways around these blocks. YouTube’s other services treat VPNs and location misrepresentation as against their rules (see YouTube Premium travel rules).

Video won’t play on an old phone or legacy app

YouTube says monetizing creators can choose to make a video available only on monetized platforms: youtube.com, the YouTube app, YouTube apps on TVs (such as Xbox, Android TV, PlayStation, Chromecast and Apple TV) and m.youtube.com on most smartphones. Those videos may not play on legacy apps on feature phones and older TVs, or the YouTube app that came preinstalled on iOS 5 and below.

YouTube also says that if a video has a copyright claim (including on its music), the claimant’s distribution setting applies instead of the creator’s.

Our note: if a video plays on youtube.com or the current YouTube app but not on an old device, this is likely why. Watch it on a supported app instead.

Movie stuck, or purchases missing

  • Movie stuck: YouTube says to skip forward a couple of scenes on the timeline. If that doesn’t work, close and reopen the app, check for updates, and replay.
  • Purchases missing from your library: you may be signed in to a Brand Account. Tap your profile picture, then the arrow next to your name, then tap your personal channel in the list.

How to know it worked

  • Several different videos play from start to finish with sound.

Still not working? Your next steps

  1. Try YouTube on a different device and network. YouTube suggests testing a different supported device.
  2. Send feedback right after the problem happens: profile picture > Help & feedback > Send feedback.

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

Why does YouTube keep buffering?

Usually your connection is too slow for the quality you’re watching. YouTube recommends sustained speeds of 5 Mbps for 1080p and 20 Mbps for 4K. Switch networks, restart your router, or lower the quality.

What internet speed do I need for YouTube?

YouTube’s recommended sustained speeds are 0.7 Mbps for 360p, 1.1 Mbps for 480p, 2.5 Mbps for 720p, 5 Mbps for 1080p and 20 Mbps for 4K. For HD on a TV, it recommends at least 7 Mbps.

Why is there no sound on YouTube?

YouTube says check that sound is on in your browser or device, check your device’s sound settings, then restart the browser or device.

Do ad blockers stop YouTube videos playing?

They can. For “Something went wrong. Refresh or try again later.”, YouTube says to allow ads on YouTube and turn off ad blockers.

How do I clear the YouTube app cache on Android?

Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > YouTube > Storage & cache > Clear cache.

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.

  1. Troubleshoot YouTube video errors (external site, opens in a new tab)YouTube Help · checked 20 October 2026
  2. Troubleshoot streaming & video issues (external site, opens in a new tab)YouTube Help · checked 21 October 2026
  3. How to fix no sound on YouTube (external site, opens in a new tab)YouTube Help · checked 21 October 2026
  4. Change video distribution (external site, opens in a new tab)YouTube Help · checked 21 October 2026
  5. Video isn’t available in my country/region (external site, opens in a new tab)YouTube Help · checked 21 October 2026

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: Added “not available in your country”.
  • 28 October 2026: Added why some videos don’t play on older devices or legacy apps.
  • 28 October 2026: First published.

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