How to fix the 'YouTube app not working' alert

YouTube cannot load? Quick Diagnosis and Repair Guide!

Remember when you were in middle school? YouTube doesn't exist yet, life is much simpler, it's all face-to-face interaction. Is it hard to imagine? Now, I can’t imagine life without YouTube. It is my go-to platform for learning new skills and watching favorite shows.

So, when the platform suddenly stops working, it feels like a small crisis, which makes me wonder: "Why can't YouTube load when I need it?" I understand this dilemma, so here is a simple guide to help you solve your problem quickly.

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The following table summarizes common YouTube problems and their corresponding solutions to help you resume watching videos.

question	Solution
Software outdated	Update your macOS and browser for the latest bug fixes and compatibility improvements.
Internet connection failure	Use WiFi Explorer to check the strength and stability of the connection.
Junk file accumulation	Use CleanMyMac X to clear caches and cookies for best performance.
Too many browser extensions	Disable unnecessary extensions through browser settings, especially ad blockers.
YouTube server issues	Verify YouTube's status on platforms such as DownDetector.
YouTube Regional Restrictions	Change location settings on YouTube or use ClearVPN to bypass restrictions.
Buffering issues	Temporarily reduce the video quality or allow the video to load before playing.
Mac insufficient storage space	Use CleanMyMac X to remove system garbage and free up space for efficiency.
YouTube iOS app issues	Restart the YouTube app or try reinstalling to clear any internal failures.

Why doesn't YouTube work?

There are some common reasons when YouTube doesn't work properly with your device. Let's break down what might cause the problem:

• The software is outdated. Check if your browser or operating system needs updates. Sometimes older versions are not compatible with YouTube.
• Internet connection. A weak connection may make it difficult for YouTube to load or play videos.
• Caches and cookies. Your device may be slowed down due to cache or cookies, which can affect performance. This usually causes the video to not load correctly, or errors like "problems" when watching live videos.
• Browser extension. Some extensions, especially ad blockers, may interfere with YouTube's capabilities.
• YouTube server failure. YouTube itself may experience temporary interrupts or server failures.

Of course, this is not a complete list of all the reasons that may cause problems with YouTube, but these are the most common reasons. Next, I'll go into detail on how to fix them.

How to fix YouTube that doesn't work properly?

Now that we know the possible reasons why YouTube doesn't work properly, let's take a deeper look at how to fix it.

1. Check your internet connection

The first step is to make sure your internet connection is strong and stable enough. I remember one time when my mom tried to watch her favorite cooking show on YouTube, but it kept cushioning. It turned out that our Wi-Fi was not very good. To improve the situation, I have been using WiFi Explorer on my Mac. It gives me a detailed look at my Wi-Fi performance, showing everything from signal strength to the maximum capacity of the connection.

WiFi Explorer is more than just monitoring the situation – it also reminds me of the problem and suggests how to solve it. Looking at all the data in the chart really helped me find out where the problem lies. If your Wi-Fi looks good but still encounters problems, proceed to the next fix.

Note that sometimes, you can simply turn off and turn on Wi-Fi to refresh the connection, or reset the router by unplugging it, counting to ten and plugging it back.

2. Verify the status of YouTube

Before digging into how to fix YouTube fails to launch, check if the platform is not available to everyone. You can try using DownDetector to do this. Sometimes the problem is not your device, but YouTube's server itself.

3. Restart YouTube

iOS users can reload the app by closing and reopening the YouTube app. If you are using macOS, consider switching your browser (if one does not work properly). Reloading the page or switching from Safari to Chrome may help.

Tip: If you need to watch videos but your connection is unstable, use the Pulltube app to download the videos directly from YouTube and watch offline.

4. Clear cached files

Clearing cached files can help resolve performance issues.

On your iPhone:

1. Unlock your iPhone and find the YouTube icon on the home screen.
2. Press and hold the icon long.
3. Click "Delete App".
4. Click "Delete App" to confirm your selection.
5. Next, go to the App Store, search for YouTube, and click “Get.”
6. YouTube will be reinstalled on your iPhone and the cache will be completely cleared.

Don't worry, this won't affect your YouTube account or any saved content, such as your subscription and viewing history.

On your Mac:

1. Download, install and open CleanMyMac X.
2. Select Maintenance from the left panel.
3. Select Refresh DNS Cache and click Run.

If you want to do this manually:

1. Open Safari > Settings.
2. Navigate to the Advanced tab.
3. Select the box next to Show Web Developer Features (display the Development menu in older macOS versions).
4. Next, go to Development > Clear Cache in the top menu of Safari.

For more instructions, check out our Mac clear cache guide.

5. Check storage space

If your Mac has insufficient storage space, you may notice that it can be difficult for basic tasks such as opening apps. Clearing up accumulated garbage may be the solution. The application I mentioned in the previous step - CleanMyMac X - has a powerful "system junk" module that identifies and eliminates unnecessary cluttered files such as system logs, language files, and corrupted projects.

Here is how I can free up some storage using CleanMyMac X:

1. Download, install and open CleanMyMac X.
2. Select the System Junk module.
3. Click Scan, and then click View Details.
4. When you are ready, click Clean.

6. Check your browser extension

I remember when I checked my browser extensions, I was shocked by how many extensions I didn't even remember installing. It was a mess. If you have the same browser confusion, it's time to do some sort of sorting out. Too many or conflicting extensions, especially ad blockers, can interfere with YouTube.

In Safari:

1. Click Safari in the menu bar.
2. Select Settings.
3. Go to the Extensions tab.
4. Uncheck or click "Uninstall" any extensions you suspect may cause the problem.

In Chrome:

1. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Navigate to More Tools and click Extensions.
3. Close or delete extensions you don't need or recognize.

By disabling the extension one by one, you can determine which extension may cause YouTube videos to fail to play. Trust me, a well-organized browser can make a big difference!

Please read also:

• ChatGPT does not work properly
• YouTube doesn't work properly on iPhone
• How to update iPhone
• Fix iPhone not updating

7. Update your macOS

Keeping your Mac updated ensures that all pre-installed apps, including Safari, get the latest bug fixes and improvements. This means that any known issues with Safari will be resolved. To check for updates:

1. Open the main Apple menu and go to System Settings > General.
2. Click "Software Update".
3. If there are updates available, click "Update Now" to install.

8. Change YouTube location settings and unlock with VPN

Sometimes, the problem of YouTube failing to load can be attributed to region restrictions or location settings. If you encounter a block or error in a specific region, changing YouTube location settings and using a VPN can help.

Change YouTube location settings:

1. Open YouTube and log in to your account.
2. In the lower right corner, you will see the Settings icon. Click on it.
3. Select Position from the Settings menu.
4. Select another country from the list that may offer better content availability or fewer restrictions.

Unlock YouTube with a VPN:

For a more powerful solution, use a VPN like ClearVPN. It allows you to browse from different locations easily.

1. Download, install and open ClearVPN.
2. Connect to a server that has no restricted areas for YouTube.
3. Once connected, open YouTube and enjoy access without any regional restrictions.

ClearVPN is also available for iOS. Try it.

Tip: If you are using a VPN or proxy server to connect to the Internet, this may be the problem. Try changing the server or bypassing the VPN or proxy altogether and see if YouTube works.

9. Fix buffering issues on YouTube

The following method sometimes works for me. Try to temporarily reduce the video quality. Or pause the video for one minute and let it load completely before watching.

If the live streaming does not work properly, make sure your app is updated and your internet connection is stable. Consider refreshing the stream or restarting your app.

Solve YouTube loading issues: Final thoughts

When YouTube fails to load, the most common reason is usually simple. These may be outdated software, unstable internet connection or excessive browser extensions. First check your internet connection and make sure your software is up to date – these fixes usually fix the issue. Clearing cache and disabling unnecessary extensions can also help if the video is not playing smoothly.

If you're still having problems, consider the apps I mentioned, such as WiFi Explorer and CleanMyMac X, to fine-tune your connection and clear system cluttered files. These apps, along with Pulltube and ClearVPN, are available on Setapp, a platform that offers over 250 high-quality applications for macOS and iOS. With Setapp, you will have tools to solve technical problems, all of which offer a convenient seven-day free trial. This is a solution worth exploring that can make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable!

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