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 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 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
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 & 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 Display type 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
| 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. |
- Learn more about testing your internet speed and troubleshooting video playback issues.
- If you're having trouble using YouTube TV on a Chromecast, check out the Chromecast Help Center.
- If you continue to experience issues, get in touch with YouTube TV support for help with resolving the issue.