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Troubleshoot video streaming issues

If you're experiencing issues with video streaming on YouTube TV, try these troubleshooting tips.

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 and then Quality.
  • Close the video player by pulling down to minimize it and swiping to the right. Reopen the player and try watching the video again. 

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 and then Quality.
  • Close the video player, reopen it, and try watching the video again.

Check on your location permissions

Verify that YouTube TV has access to your location. Learn more about location requirements and permissions.

On your supported smart TV, media player, or game console

If you’re experiencing an issue with the YouTube TV app on your supported smart TV, media player, or game console - it may be a manufacturer issue. We recommend you check by opening another app on your smart TV, media player, or game console to see if the same problem occurs. If it does, you’ll need to get in touch with the manufacturer for their support.
 
If the issue you’re experiencing with the YouTube TV app does not occur when you use other apps, then try the tips below.

Close & reopen YouTube TV

Exit out of the YouTube TV app, and then reopen it. Try watching your video again after reopening the app.

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.

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 and then Display type and then choose 4K 30 Hz TV, 4K 60 Hz TV, or 4K HDR 60 Hz.

More troubleshooting

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. 
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.
Tips & tricks: 
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