If video streaming on YouTube TV is not working, first check whether your current location settings are accurate. If that doesn't work, follow the rest of the troubleshooting tips in this article.
Note: If you're having trouble using YouTube TV on a Chromecast, check out the Chromecast Help Center.
On your smart TV
Check if your current location settings are accurate
Confirm your home area and current playback area are correct in your YouTube TV account settings. To check these:
- Open the YouTube TV app on your device.
- Select your
Location.
- Review the info listed under “Home Area” and “Current playback location” to ensure they are correct.
Location.If your home area or your current playback location is not accurate, follow the steps below to correct this. Keep in mind:
- Your home area is the zip code of your residence, and your current playback area is your current physical location.
- Your current playback area may change when you travel, while your home area doesn’t change.
Update your home area
Select the button below to update your home area on a computer or mobile device:
Update your current playback location
Follow the steps below to update your current playback location on a smart TV, or streaming device:
- Open the YouTube TV app on your smart TV.
- Select your
- Select Current Playback Area.
- Using a mobile device, go to tv.youtube.com/verify. Allow the website to access your device’s location to update your current playback area.
Power cycle the device
Hold down the power button to turn off your device, wait 30 seconds, and then restart your device.
Check for app or device updates
- Check that you've installed the latest system updates for your device.
- Update to the newest available version of the YouTube TV app.
Uninstall & reinstall the YouTube TV app
- Uninstall the YouTube TV app on your device.
- Reinstall the YouTube TV app and sign in again.
- Try watching your video again.
Check for a manufacturer issues
Problems with the YouTube TV app on a supported smart TV, media player, or game console could be related to a manufacturer issue. We recommend you check by opening another app on your device to see whether the same problem occurs. If it does, then get in touch with the manufacturer for their support.
Reduce broadcast delay on your TV for YouTube TV
Broadcast delay is the delay between the camera capturing an event and the event being displayed when you’re watching on your TV.
The lower the broadcast delay, the less buffer the video player will have. With a lower broadcast delay, you’re more likely to experience playback interruption.
Internet congestion, Wi-Fi interference, and other factors may also cause live programming issues, which can delay the stream. Delays can happen even when you have a great network.
Update your broadcast delay in the YouTube TV app on your TV
- Select the three dot more menu.
- Select Broadcast Delay.
- Select Decrease or Default.
“Default” is best to minimize playback interruptions. “Decrease” is best to reduce live spoilers. Choose the “Decrease” option if you want low broadcast delay with minimal playback interruptions.
HDCP error on Roku players
- If you run into an HDCP error on your Roku player, turn on the HDMI Ultra HD Color setting on your TV.
- If you experience choppy playback on your Roku player, turn off HDR on your "Display type" settings on Roku. To do so, select Settings
On a mobile device
Restart your device
Hold down the power button to turn off your device, wait 30 seconds, and then restart your device.
Close & reopen the YouTube TV app
- Exit out of the YouTube TV app, and then reopen it.
- Try watching your video again after reopening the app.
Check for app or device updates
- Check that you've installed the latest system updates for your device.
- Update to the newest available version of the YouTube TV app.
- Uninstall and reinstall the YouTube TV app.
Check your internet connection
- Make sure you're connected to the internet.
- Note: YouTube TV requires a connection of at least 3 Mbps for optimal viewing experience. Learn more about internet download speeds, including how to test your internet speed, below.
- Turn off and on your mobile data connection.
- Change the video quality to a lower setting. Select the overflow Menu
in the video player
- Close the video player by pulling down to minimize it and swiping to the right. Reopen the player and try watching the video again.
in the video player Check on your location permissions
Verify that YouTube TV has access to your location. Learn more about location requirements and permissions.
On a computer
Restart your browser & devices
- Close and reopen your web browser.
- Restart your router.
- Restart your computer.
Check for browser updates
- Update your web browser to the latest version.
- Consider using Chrome for the best YouTube TV experience.
Check your internet connection
- Make sure you're connected to the internet.
- Note: YouTube TV requires a connection of at least 3 Mbps for optimal viewing experience. Learn more about internet download speeds, including how to test your internet speed, below.
- Turn off and on your Wi-Fi connection.
- Change the video quality to a lower setting. Select Settings
in the video player
- Close the video player, reopen it, and try watching the video again.
in the video player Check on your location permissions
Verify that YouTube TV has access to your location. Learn more about location requirements and permissions.
Other issues that may affect YouTube TV playback
- On externally connected monitors that are directly plugged into a computer, you may see lower quality (480p) playback on Mac and Linux. This lower quality is due to the way these platforms handle copyright protections.
- Audio on some on-demand programs may be quieter than for live programs.
- If you see the message, "YouTube TV wants your device's identity to be verified, by Google, to determine eligibility for enhanced playback of protected media," select Allow. Otherwise, you may see lower quality playback.
Internet download speeds
Below are internet speed recommendations for watching programs on YouTube TV. Learn more about testing your internet speed and troubleshooting video playback issues.
| Download speed | What you can do on YouTube TV |
|---|---|
| 25 Mbps + | 4K Plus subscribers: View 4K quality on available programs. |
| 13 Mbps + | Reliably stream HD video, even with other devices using the same network. |
| 7 Mbps + |
Stream one-HD video. If many devices are streaming videos or using the network at the same time, you may run into some buffering issues. |
| 3 Mbps + | Stream standard definition video. |
| Under 3 Mbps | YouTube TV may load slowly or rebuffer. |