If you find that video streaming on YouTube TV is not working, try the troubleshooting tips in this article.
Bear in mind:
- If you're having trouble using YouTube TV on a Chromecast, take a look at the Chromecast Help Centre.
- If you continue to experience issues, get in touch with YouTube TV support for help with resolving the issue.
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 and reopen the YouTube TV app
- Exit out of the YouTube TV app, 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 that you're connected to the Internet.
- Note: YouTube TV requires a connection of at least 3 Mbps for an optimal viewing experience. Learn more about Internet download speeds, including how to test your Internet speed, below.
- Turn your mobile data connection off and back on again.
- Change the video quality to a lower setting. Select the overflow Menu
in the video player
Quality.
- Close the video player by pulling down to minimise it and swiping to the right. Reopen the player and try watching the video again.
Quality.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 and 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 that you're connected to the Internet.
- Note: YouTube TV requires a connection of at least 3 Mbps for an optimal viewing experience. Learn more about Internet download speeds, including how to test your Internet speed, below.
- Turn your Wi-Fi connection off and on.
- 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.
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 that you check by opening another app on your smart TV, media player or game console to see whether the same problem occurs. If it does, you'll need to get in touch with the manufacturer for their support.
If the issue that you're experiencing with the YouTube TV app does not occur when you use other apps, try the tips below.
Close and reopen YouTube TV
Power-cycle the 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 and 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.
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 menu.
- Select Broadcast delay.
- Select Decrease or Default.
'Default' is best to minimise 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 colour setting on your TV.
- If you experience choppy playback on your Roku player, turn off HDR in your 'Display type' settings on Roku. To do so, select Settings
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 that these platforms handle copyright protections.
- Audio on some on-demand programmes may be quieter than for live programmes.
- 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
| Download speed | What you can do on YouTube TV |
|---|---|
| 25+ Mbps | 4K Plus subscribers: View 4K quality on available programmes. |
| 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. |