YouTube playback speed controls are usually hidden in the player menu, not always visible by default

If you cannot change playback speed on YouTube, the most common reason is that the speed menu is not showing up when you click the settings icon. YouTube hides the playback speed option inside a three-dot menu on the video player itself — it does not appear as a separate button. You need to click the correct icon and look in the right place, or the feature will seem missing even though it is there.

The playback speed feature works on most YouTube videos, but some content is restricted. YouTube Premium members can slow down or speed up almost any video. Free users can change speed on most videos too, but not all — some creators or rights holders disable this feature. If you have tried the steps below and still see no speed option, the video itself may have that feature turned off.

Key Takeaways

  • Playback speed is in the settings menu (three dots) on the video player, not a separate button on the screen.
  • You must click the three-dot icon in the bottom right corner of the video player, then select "Playback speed".
  • Some videos do not allow speed changes because the creator or copyright holder disabled the feature.
  • YouTube Premium removes most restrictions on playback speed and other player features.
  • If the option does not appear after you click settings, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.

How to find the playback speed menu on desktop

On a computer, open the YouTube video and move your mouse over the player. The controls appear at the bottom of the video. On the far right side, you will see a three-dot icon (sometimes called the menu icon). Click it. A small menu drops down with several options, including "Playback speed" near the top. Click "Playback speed" and a list of speeds appears: 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x, Normal, 1.25x, 1.5x, and 2x. Select the speed you want.

If the three-dot menu does not appear when you move your mouse over the player, click anywhere on the video itself. The controls should show up. If they still do not appear, try clicking the settings icon (it looks like a gear) instead — on some older browsers or YouTube layouts, the settings icon opens a different menu that also contains playback speed.

How to find the playback speed menu on mobile

On a phone or tablet, tap the video to show the player controls. In the top right corner of the player, you will see three vertical dots. Tap them. A menu appears with options including "Playback speed". Tap it and select your desired speed from the list.

If you are using the YouTube app on iOS or Android, the process is the same. If you are watching in a mobile web browser instead of the app, the menu location is identical. Make sure you tap the three dots in the player itself, not anywhere else on the page.

Videos where playback speed is disabled

Some YouTube videos do not allow you to change the playback speed, even if you are a YouTube Premium member. This happens when the video creator or the copyright holder has restricted the feature. Live streams, for example, cannot be slowed down or sped up — you can only watch them at normal speed. Premieres (scheduled video releases) also do not allow speed changes while the premiere is happening, though you can change speed after it ends and becomes a regular video.

If a regular uploaded video does not show a playback speed option, the creator may have disabled it in their upload settings, or the video may contain content from a copyright holder who does not permit speed changes. There is no way to override this restriction as a viewer. You can only watch the video at normal speed or choose a different video.

Browser and cache issues that block the speed menu

If the three-dot menu appears but playback speed is not listed inside it, your browser may be out of date or your cache may be storing old player code. Try refreshing the page by pressing F5 (or Ctrl+R on Windows, Command+R on Mac). Wait for the page to fully load and try again.

If refreshing does not work, clear your browser cache. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac), select "All time" for the time range, check "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files", then click "Clear data". Close and reopen YouTube. If you are using a different browser, the steps are similar but the menu names vary — search "[your browser name] clear cache" for exact instructions.

If you are using an older browser version, update it. YouTube occasionally stops supporting very old versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Check your browser's settings menu for an update option.

YouTube Premium and playback speed restrictions

YouTube Premium members can change playback speed on nearly all videos, including some that free users cannot adjust. Premium also removes ads and allows offline downloads, but the playback speed feature itself is available to free users on most content. The main difference is that Premium users face fewer restrictions overall.

If you are a Premium member and still cannot find the playback speed option, the video is likely a live stream, premiere, or content with copyright restrictions that even Premium cannot override. Check your Premium status in your account settings to confirm your membership is active.

What to do if playback speed still does not work

If you have tried all the steps above and the playback speed menu still does not appear, try these additional checks: First, make sure you are signed into your YouTube account. Some features behave differently for signed-out users. Second, try the video on a different browser to see if the problem is specific to your current browser. Third, try a different video to see if the problem is specific to that one video.

If playback speed works on other videos but not on one specific video, that video has the feature disabled by its creator or rights holder. If playback speed does not work on any video, the problem is likely your browser, cache, or account settings. Clearing your cache and updating your browser usually solves this. If the problem persists after all these steps, try signing out and signing back in to your YouTube account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I change speed on some videos but not others?

Videos where the creator or copyright holder has disabled playback speed do not show the speed option at all. Live streams and premieres also do not allow speed changes. If a video does not show the playback speed menu, that video has the feature turned off and there is no way to override it.

Does playback speed work on YouTube TV?

YouTube TV does not allow playback speed changes on live broadcasts, but it does allow speed changes on recorded shows and on-demand content. Click the three-dot menu during a recorded show and select "Playback speed" the same way you would on regular YouTube.

Can I change playback speed on YouTube Shorts?

No. YouTube Shorts do not have a playback speed option. Shorts are designed to be watched at normal speed only. If you want to watch short-form video at different speeds, you would need to use regular YouTube videos instead.

What if the settings icon looks different on my screen?

YouTube occasionally changes the appearance of player icons. Look for any icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like three dots, three lines, or a gear. Clicking any of these should open a menu with playback speed inside. If you see a gear icon, that is the settings menu and playback speed is usually there.

Does playback speed work on embedded YouTube videos?

It depends on how the video is embedded. If the video is embedded with the full YouTube player (the standard way), playback speed should work the same as on YouTube.com. If the video is embedded in a custom player or with limited controls, the playback speed option may not be available. Try clicking the three-dot menu on the player itself to check.