Troubleshoot playing videos on your computer
You may experience poor video quality — slow loading, buffering or choppy playback — due to a number of factors, such as issues with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), the number of connected users or devices, your hardware, your software and software configuration, your connection to the internet (wireless or ethernet cable), whether you have exceeded your allotted data quota, or problems with the video itself.
While the Video Quality Report provides information on how your ISP typically performs, this checklist includes troubleshooting tips to help fix playback issues.
Check your browser
Check whether the video is working after trying each of these internet browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari) troubleshooting tips:
- Refresh your browser window. On many browsers, you can press the F5 key or Command+R keys on your keyboard to reload the current page.
- Close all other tabs and windows in your browser.
If you’d like the best YouTube viewing experience, always upgrade to the most recent version of your browser.
Find out if your browser is updated
- Go to whatbrowser.org and you’ll see what browser you are currently using.
- If you see “This is the most current version,” your browser is already updated!
- If you see “There is a newer version,” click the Update your browser btn and download the newest version of your browser.
Update Adobe Flash player
Some videos on YouTube are streamed through Adobe Flash Player, a plug-in for your web browser. Having the latest version of Adobe Flash Player ensures the best viewing experience.
Here’s how to upgrade to the latest version:
- Check your Flash Player version
- Download the latest version
- Exit your browser once you’ve downloaded the file
- Open the Adobe Flash Player Installer on your computer to complete the installation process
If you have any issues during the installation process, visit Adobe’s help page.
Enable JavaScript
JavaScript is required for many features to work. Follow the instructions below to enable JavaScript.
Enable JavaScript on your Computer’s browser
Chrome
- Click the toolbar icon
. - Select Settings.
- Click Show advanced settings.
- In the Privacy section, click the Content Settings btn.
- In the JavaScript section, select Allow all sites to run JavaScript (recommended).
- Click the OK btn to close the window.
- Refresh your browser to update the settings.
.To enable JavaScript in other browsers, click the link below for your browser to see instructions. By searching in the help center for your browser, you can find specific instructions for your version and operating system.
Enable Javascript on a mobile device
For instructions on how to enable JavaScript, choose your device:
Android
- If you’re not already there, launch the ‘Browser’ app on your device
- Press your device’s < Menu > btn
- Select More
- Select Settings
- Check the box next to ‘Enable JavaScript’
- Exit and reload the site you were trying to access in Browser
Apple
- On your device’s home screen, tap Settings
- Tap Safari
- Tap ‘Advanced’
- Make sure the setting for ‘JavaScript’ is set to ON
- Exit and reload the site you were trying to access in Safari
Other
We recommend consulting the online help site or user manual for your device for instructions on enabling JavaScript in your web browser.
Clear cache and cookies
Cookies, which are files created by websites you’ve visited, and your browser’s cache, which helps pages load faster, make it easier for you to browse the web.
Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies means that website settings (like usernames and passwords) will be deleted and some sites might appear to be a little slower because all of the images have to be loaded again.
How to clear cache and cookies
- Open Chrome.
- On your browser toolbar, click the Chrome menu .
- Click More tools > Clear browsing data.
- In the box that appears, click the checkboxes for “Cookies and other site and plug-in data” and “Cached images and files.”
- Use the menu at the top to select the amount of data that you want to delete. Choose beginning of time to delete everything.
- Click Clear browsing data.
Review and follow the instructions provided by your browser:
Tip: If web pages aren’t displaying correctly, you can try using your browser’s incognito or “private browsing” mode to see if the problem is caused by something other than cache or cookies.
At Google, we use cookies to improve the quality of our service. Check our Privacy Policy for more information about cookies.
Restart your home network
Here’s how to restart your home network:
- Turn off your computer
- Unplug your modem and your wireless router if it’s a separate device
- Wait for about one minute
- Plug in your modem and wait until no new indicator lights are blinking on. If you unplugged your router, plug it back in and wait until no new indicator lights are blinking on.
- Turn on your computer and try playing your video
Connect your computer to your modem
Try plugging your computer directly into your modem or router with an ethernet cable, rather than connecting wirelessly. If this fixes the problem, reposition your modem or router, as interference or range issues may have caused the poor connectivity.
If you’re connected directly to your modem and still can’t play your video, you may want to check with your equipment provider to make sure your modem and Internet service are working properly.
Check your internet connectivity
If the above steps didn’t help, try these tips to improve your internet connectivity:
- Make sure your internet usage isn’t at capacity — for example, someone on your home network is downloading a large file while you’re trying to watch YouTube.
- Check your computer for viruses, spyware or a hard drive that’s reached its full capacity.
- Move your router to a new location to improve signal strength. Your router should be elevated off the floor (like on a bookshelf or desk), and placed in a central location in your home.
- Move any cordless phones, microwave ovens, or other wireless devices away from your router. These devices often cause wireless interference.
Troubleshoot playing videos in the iOS app
You may experience poor video quality — slow loading, buffering or choppy playback — due to a number of factors, such as issues with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), number of connected users/devices, your hardware/software, your internet connection, or problems with the video itself.
Adjust video quality
The app automatically adjusts the quality of your video stream based on the speed of your Internet connection. Manually lowering the video quality may help to resolve playback errors or streaming issues.
Manually adjust video quality: Touch 
> 
on a video while connected to a Wi-Fi network. Manual quality selection over cellular networks is not supported.
Settings: Adjust your HD playback settings by going to > Settings > Play HD on Wi-Fi only.
Retry playback or restart the video
If you see an error prompting you to “Touch to retry,” touch the player one or more times to force it to refresh. Otherwise, follow the steps below to restart a video:
- Swipe down to minimize the video.
- Swipe to the right to dismiss the video.
- Find and select the video again.
See how to minimize or dismiss videos
Force the app to close or restart your device
Forcing the app to close or restarting your device may help to solve playback issues. See the links below to learn how to perform these steps on your iOS device:
Check for the latest system updates
Make sure your device is updated with the latest version of iOS. To learn how to check for the latest software updates, visit support.apple.com.
Troubleshoot playing videos on mobile browsers
Are you unable to play any YouTube videos on your mobile device? Are videos constantly buffering for you? Here are some troubleshooting steps that fix the most common problems.
1. Reboot your device
2. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies
On Android:
- Open the default browser and open Menu.
- Touch Privacy & Security.
- Touch Clear cache and touch OK.
- Touch Clear all cookie data and touch OK.
On iOS:
- From your Home screen navigate to Settings > Safari.
- Touch Clear cookies.
- Touch Clear cache.
3. Use a different browser
If the default browser is not playing videos, download an alternate mobile browser such as Google Chrome.
4. Use a different network
If you are unable to play videos on your 3G/4G network, try connecting to a wifi network to see if you can watch videos. If you can watch videos on a wifi network but not on your wireless network, please contact your wireless provider to determine if there are any service issues in your area.
5. Check for the latest system updates
For optimal performance keep your device updated with the latest system updates. On Android, navigate to Settings > About Phone > System updates and touch Check now. On iOS, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.
If you are still having issues, please post in the YouTube Mobile and Device forum. To make sure that you get help as quickly as possible, please include the following information in your post:
- My phone’s make (i.e. Motorola):
- My phone’s model (i.e. Droid):
- Wireless carrier:
- Is this happening over 3G/wifi or both?
- When did you first notice this issue?
- What troubleshooting steps have you tried out so far?
You can also contact your device manufacturer for further assistance. Listed below are external support links:
Troubleshoot playing videos in the Android app
You may experience poor video quality — slow loading, buffering or choppy playback — due to a number of factors, such as issues with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), number of connected users/devices, your hardware/software, your internet connection, or problems with the video itself.
1. Manually adjust video quality
Manually lowering the video quality may help to resolve playback errors or loading issues. To adjust quality, touch the menu icon on a video and select the gear icon.
2. Retry playback or restart the video
If you see an error prompting you to “Touch to retry,” touch the player one or more times to force it to refresh. Otherwise, follow the steps below to restart a video:
- Swipe down to minimize the video.
- Swipe to the right to dismiss the video.
- Find and select the video again.
See how to minimize or dismiss videos
3. Clear app cache or restart the video
Clearing your app cache or restarting your device may help to solve playback issues.
- Clear the app cache by visiting your device’s Settings menu and selecting Apps or Manage Apps > YouTube.
- Touch Clear cache.
- Return to YouTube and try playing the affected video or videos again.
- If you’re still experiencing playback issues, try turning your device off and on.
4. Check or change your network connection
Your network performance can vary by provider and location.
- If you’re unable to play videos on your mobile network (3G/4G), try connecting to a Wi-Fi network.
- If you’re unable to play videos on your Wi-Fi network, try connecting to your mobile network (3G/4G). If you can watch videos on your mobile network, but not on your Wi-Fi network, check your wireless setup.
5. Check for the latest system update
Make sure your device is updated with the latest Android system updates. Navigate to Settings > About Phone > System updates and touch Check now.
