There’s nothing worse than gearing up to watch your favorite YouTuber’s new video, only to be stuck with endless buffering circles or cryptic error messages. Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of late-night YouTube binges interrupted by technical glitches, and sometimes I’ve even wasted a good half hour trying to figure out the issue. Here, I’ll walk you through the most common reasons that YouTube won’t be playing ball—and throw in some anecdotal evidence, as well.
1. Internet Connection Issues
There was once when I was on holiday in a hotel, catching up on my subscriptions. The Wi-Fi would cut out every five minutes. And I couldn’t see my current subscriber count. I had to see the numbers since I purchased YouTube subscribers from https://toptiersmm.com/.
Nice. If you’re having the same problem:
- Switch between cellular data and Wi-Fi (or vice versa) to see if the problem is with your home network.
- Get closer to your router for better signal strength (I just found out my bedroom was in the wrong location relative to the router—no wonder my videos stuttered).
- Restart your router and modem. A simple reboot may be all you need.
- Do a speed test—YouTube recommends around 5 Mbps for HD, but honestly, I would shoot for 10 Mbps or higher if possible, for smoother viewing.
Cellular Data Limits or Disruptions
One of the main causes my videos were buffering like crazy was that I had gone over my high-speed data. If you’re on mobile data:
- Be sure you haven’t exceeded your data limit. Carriers will slow video speed once you’ve reached a limit.
- If your own plan is seriously capped (like my old plan), it might be worth upgrading to avoid aggravation.
VPN Settings Interfering with Streaming
I tried using a random free VPN once thinking it would enable me to watch region-locked content. It did—but slowed down my connection too. If you’re using a VPN:
Shut it off for a bit and see if YouTube is loading faster.
If you absolutely must have a VPN, use a quality service that won’t slow you down as much.
2. Server or Service Outages
Even Google’s giant servers have the occasional glitch (who knew?). If videos aren’t loading:
- Check YouTube’s official Twitter or Google’s service status page.
- If it’s a widespread outage, you just have to patiently wait—such as waiting for a slow delivery of pizza.
Regional or World Platform Issues
Sometimes the problem is regional in nature. If you suspect that this:
Try connecting from a VPN server from another region (I did once when I was told that some music videos wouldn’t be playing in my country).
If it occurs there, chances are it is a local block or content outage.
3. Browser or App Problems
I forget browser updates exist, and they have given me occasional trouble throughout the years. To avoid this:
Make sure to keep your browser totally up-to-date (Chrome, Firefox, Safari—don’t care, just keep updated).
On your tablet or smartphone, update your YouTube app through your app store.
Accumulated Cache and Cookies Causing Errors
I’m guilty of never clearing my cache until something breaks. Clearing old data can help:
- On Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data.
- On the YouTube mobile app: Look under Settings > Clear Cache.
Conflicting Browser Extensions or Plugins
I had previously installed a strange plugin which was “going to enhance” my YouTube experience. It queued out half the vids I attempted to watch. If you suspect an extension:
- Disable them separately and reload YouTube to identify the culprit.
4. Device Compatibility Issues
I had previously owned an old tablet that just could not deal with the new YouTube app after some time:
- For iOS, check Settings > General > Software Update.
- For Android, check Settings > About Phone > Software Update.
Not enough Device Memory or Storage
If your phone is as cluttered as mine gets, YouTube can crash or be slow and jerky:
- Clear out room by deleting apps you don’t need, deleting photos you can do without, or storing them in the cloud.
- Restart your device occasionally—sometimes that’s all it needs to work smoothly again.
Corrupted Device Settings or Software Bugs
I’ve done a factory reset exactly once in my life, and it fixed a stubborn streaming issue. As a last resort:
- Back up your data.
- Reset your device to factory settings if everything else fails.
5. Account-Related Restrictions
I once tried to watch an age-restricted documentary. Oops. If a video is not allowed:
- Check for Restricted Mode in YouTube settings.
- You may have to alter your account’s age or sign in using an adult Google account.
Account Suspensions or Sign-in Errors
If you are completely unable to access YouTube:
- Check to see if your Google account has been suspended for any reason (it happened to a friend once—long story).
- Double-check your 2FA settings and password.
Geographical Restriction or Content Blocks
Unfortunately, a few music videos are region-locked:
- You can use a VPN if this is allowed where you are to bypass these blocks.
- Otherwise, sometimes you’ll just have to wait for it to be officially available where you are.
6. Firewall or Antivirus Blocks
My antivirus once thought YouTube was some kind of threat. To see if this is your issue:
- Turn off your antivirus or firewall temporarily and test if YouTube works.
- Reconfigure your security software to allow streaming services.
- Firewalls or Antivirus Software Blocking Access to YouTube
If you are on a work or school network, they might have blocked YouTube:
There is little you can do if it is a network block, I’m afraid. You might have to view outside the network.
7. Router or Network Hardware Configuration
A friend of mine just discovered that his inbuilt parental controls on his router were blocking access to YouTube at certain times. To fix:
- Log into your router’s administration interface.
- Look for content filtering or firewall rules.
Incorrect DNS or Proxy Settings
I once accidentally messed around with my DNS settings and lost an entire night crying about it. To regain:
Windows: Open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns.
Mac: System Preferences > Network > Advanced > DNS and default to reset.
Router Restart or Firmware Update Need
Routers have software (firmware) that needs updating:
- Look for updates on your admin page for your router.
- Update and reboot the router.
Troubleshooting Steps
If YouTube is not working, try these:
- Reload the YouTube page or app (it really might just work).
- Clear browser cookies and cache—try again from scratch.
- Update the browser, app, or operating system.
- Use another device or network (your phone can download it even when your laptop cannot).
- Power cycle your modem, router, and device.
- Contact your ISP if your connectivity or internet speed is still unstable.
FAQ
Q: Why is YouTube still buffering even with a good internet connection?
A: Your ISP might be throttling streaming, or it might be on the YouTube side. Lower the video quality to a lower resolution and check if it helps (I’ve streamed some videos in 480p as a last resort—better than nothing!).
Q: Is YouTube down?
A: Check YouTube’s social media or sites like Downdetector. If there are more complaints, you’re not alone.
Q: Why won’t I be able to play certain YouTube videos?
A: Geo-restrictions, copyright removals, or age restrictions.
Q: Will a VPN fix YouTube loading problems?
A: Occasionally. A VPN will get around blocks but can slow your speed if the server is far away.
Q: How to fix the “An error occurred, try again later” message?
A: Clear cache usually fixes it. Also, turn off add-ons or try a different browser or device.
Further Reading
