YouTube Videos Not Playing on Android? 8 Quick Solutions to Fix It

Sometimes, when you stream YouTube, you may notice that YouTube videos are not playing in the browser on Android devices. The error messages are complex, like ‘Connection with server failed. There was a problem playing’ Tap for restart,’ or videos could be buffering for a long time. Many users also have a black screen when playing videos.

Common reasons for YouTube Videos Not Playing?

Let’s discuss the reasons why YouTube videos not playing on Android. Here are some reasons to explain this. Some of which are:

• Outdated YouTube app
• Poor or unstable internet connection
• Corrupted cache data
• Incorrect date and time settings
• Third-party app conflicts
• YouTube server issues
• Outdated Android version

Also read: YouTube TV Not Working? 9 Quick Fixes That Work in 2026

8 Solutions to Fix the YouTube Videos Not Playing Issue

We’ve covered all the main reasons YouTube won’t play videos, and it’s time to fix them. We’ll discuss all possible solutions to fix YouTube videos not playing on Android.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Sometimes, if YouTube videos not playing due to poor Internet connectivity. So, firstly, ensure that your device is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. Then, verify if Wi-Fi is working as it should or not. To verify this, you can utilize Speed test tools. If you find an issue with your Wi-Fi connection, follow the steps below to resolve it.

• Go to the Settings on your Android device, and click Wi-Fi.
• Then click on the network to reveal its details.
• Select the Forget Network choice.
• If you’re using a Wi-Fi network, look for the reset or WPS button, and then press it to reset your router.
• Then, return to the Wi-Fi menu, click on the same network, and then enter the password.

Once you’re connected, you can play YouTube videos.

2. Set Correct Date and Time

Sometimes, the wrong dates and times set on your device can affect the apps installed on it. It is also a problem when using Google applications such as YouTube. To make sure you are setting the right date and time for the device, use these instructions in the following steps:

• Start by opening Settings on your Android device.
• Find the option for Date and Time or search for it using the Search in the Settings bar.
• Turn on the use of network-provided time, and utilize the network-provided time zones options.
• After activating both options, please wait some time as the correct date and time update automatically.

3. Clear YouTube Cache and Data

Most of times the YouTube video not playing problem is due to its cache development. There is always the chance that clearing the cache could resolve the issue. To clear the cache from your YouTube application, follow the steps below:

• Go to the Settings on your Android device,
• Click on the Manage apps option, then go to the YouTube App and tap on it.
• Tap on the Storage icon and click the Clear data
• Select Clear cache, then restart your device to determine if YouTube videos are playing or not.

4. Change YouTube Video Quality

If your Internet connection is slow and you set the video quality to high, you may experience buffering issues, or it may take a significant amount of time to load. To change the resolution of the video on YouTube, follow the steps:

• Simply click on the Gear icon located in the top right corner of the video.
• In the menu dropdown, select the Quality option, then select Advanced
• Choose the lowest quality, like 120p or 240p.
• Verify whether it is running after reducing the video quality.

When the video plays smoothly, you can change the video quality. If this method doesn’t fix the YouTube videos not playing issue, then go to the next solution.

5. Update the YouTube App

If you have an old version of the YouTube application, you may experience YouTube videos not playing. Also, update your app to fix this issue. steps to follow

• Open the Google Play Store on your device.
• Select your Avatar in the upper right corner.
• Click on the Manage apps and devices option.
• Then click to open the Updates option and verify whether it is available. YouTube update or not?
• If it is available, click it to upgrade.

After YouTube has been updated successfully, check if you can play the videos or not.

6. Update your Android OS version

If your Android system has not been updated for a while, this could cause issues in the performance of installed applications, such as YouTube. To upgrade your phone to the most recent operating system, go through the following steps:

• Go to Settings on your Android device and select the System option.
• Click on the Advanced option, and then choose System Updates.
• Verify that there is an update available, or if your device is updated
• If available, click the Install tab, and then the update will begin.

Also read: No Sound on YouTube? 12 Easy Fixes for Mobile and PC

7. Reset App Preferences

You can try to reset your system’s application preferences to resolve this issue. This procedure will alter the permissions for all apps to the default settings:

• Go to Settings on your Android device and select the System option.
• Click on the Advanced option and choose the reset option.
• Click on Reset app preferences
• A pop-up will be displayed to confirm the request. Click the Reset the Apps option.
• This procedure will erase all app data and can fix the YouTube videos not playing issue on an Android.

8. Factory Reset Your Device

If you are still experiencing YouTube videos not playing, it can be related to your device’s software. Errors or bugs within the Android OS can affect the performance of your installed apps. In this case, it is recommended to perform a factory reset. the most effective solution. However, before you do, transfer all of your device’s vital data and files to a different gadget or cloud-based storage. To reset your device to factory settings, you must follow the steps below:

• Go to settings, tap on the backup and reset
• Select the Backup your data option to create a backup.
• When the backup is complete, click on erase all data (factory reset).
• After the process is completed, the device will reboot, and check if you can see that the YouTube videos are playing smoothly.

Final Guide to Fix YouTube Videos Not Playing

Sometimes, if YouTube videos not playing on Android devices, the issue can be solved by restarting your YouTube application or your Android device. However, if the problem persists, then you can try all the suggestions in this article.

FAQs: YouTube Videos Not Playing