YouTube

The YouTube app comes preinstalled on most smart TVs and streaming devices. When it misbehaves, the cause is almost always local — an outdated app or TV firmware, corrupted app cache, or a weak network connection — rather than your Google account. A restart plus an app update fixes the majority of cases.

Preinstalled on most TVsSign in via yt.be/activateCast from your phoneFree with ads

Common problems

YouTube won't open or shows a blank or black screen
Videos buffer endlessly or stay stuck loading
Can't sign in to a Google account on the TV
Casting from a phone can't find the TV
App is outdated and won't update on an older TV

Featured guides

YouTube

YouTube Not Working on Your Smart TV? Here's How to Fix It

When the YouTube app won't open, freezes, crashes or won't play on a smart TV, the cause is almost always a glitched app session, an outdated app or firmware, a network problem, or — on old sets — a TV that YouTube no longer supports. The fixes run from a 60-second restart to a reinstall.

Frequently asked questions

How do I sign in to YouTube on a smart TV?+

Open the YouTube app and choose Sign in. You can scan the QR code with your phone, or visit yt.be/activate on another device and enter the code shown on the TV. Typing your Google account with the remote also works, just slower.

Is the YouTube app on my TV the same as YouTube TV?+

No. YouTube is the free video app; YouTube TV is a separate paid live-TV subscription with its own app and its own help center. Fixes and error messages differ between the two, so make sure you know which one is failing.

Why does YouTube keep buffering on my TV?+

First check whether other streaming apps struggle too — if they do, it's your connection, so restart the router or move to Ethernet. If only YouTube buffers, restart the TV, update the app, and clear the app's cache from your TV's app settings.