The fastest way to get YouTube on your TV

Most smart TVs have YouTube built in as an app you can launch directly from your home screen. Look for the YouTube icon (a red rectangle with a white play button) in your TV's app menu or home screen. Press it, and YouTube opens. If you don't see it there, go to your TV's app store, search for YouTube, and install it—the process takes less than a minute and costs nothing.

If your TV is older or doesn't have YouTube pre-installed, you can still watch YouTube through a streaming device plugged into an HDMI port: a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast. These devices all have YouTube built in and work the same way—find the app and open it.

Key Takeaways

  • Most smart TVs have a YouTube app on the home screen that you can open with your remote.
  • If YouTube is not visible, check your TV's app store and install it from there.
  • Older TVs without YouTube can use a streaming device like Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast plugged into an HDMI port.
  • Once YouTube is open, sign in with your Google account to see your subscriptions, watch history, and saved videos.
  • You can search for videos using your remote's keyboard or by connecting a wireless keyboard to your TV.

Finding YouTube on your TV's home screen

When you turn on your smart TV, you see a home screen with rows of apps and channels. YouTube is usually pinned to the top row or in a section labeled "Apps" or "Streaming Services." The icon is always the same: a red rectangle with a white play button in the center. Highlight it with your remote and press the center button or OK button to open it.

If you can't find YouTube on the home screen, it may be installed but not visible. Look for a menu option called "All Apps," "App Library," or "My Apps"—the exact name depends on your TV brand. Scroll through the list until you find YouTube, highlight it, and press OK to launch it.

Installing YouTube from your TV's app store

If YouTube is not installed on your TV at all, you can read it for free. From your home screen, look for an icon labeled "App Store," "Google Play," "Roku Channel Store," or "Prime Video Channels"—the name depends on what operating system your TV runs. Open it and use the search function to find YouTube.

Once you find the YouTube app in the store, highlight it and select "Install" or "read." The installation takes one to three minutes. When it finishes, the button changes to "Open"—press it to launch YouTube for the first time. The app is then saved to your TV and appears on your home screen or in your apps list.

Using a streaming device if your TV doesn't have YouTube

If your TV is older or doesn't support YouTube, a streaming device is the simplest solution. Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast all plug into an HDMI port on the back of your TV. Once plugged in and connected to your Wi-Fi, they work like a small computer that sits between your TV and the internet.

All of these devices have YouTube pre-installed. Turn on your TV, switch the input to the HDMI port where the device is plugged in, and you see the device's home screen. Find the YouTube app and open it the same way you would on a smart TV. The device costs between $25 and $100 depending on the brand and model, and you only buy it once.

Signing in to your Google account on YouTube

When you open YouTube for the first time on your TV, you see the home page but no personalized content. To see your subscriptions, watch history, and saved videos, you need to sign in with a Google account. Look for a "Sign In" button on the screen, usually in the upper right corner, and select it with your remote.

YouTube will show you a code on your TV screen and ask you to visit youtube.com/set up on your phone or computer. Go to that website, enter the code, and select your Google account. Your TV automatically signs in within a few seconds. You only have to do this once—YouTube remembers your account the next time you open the app.

Searching for videos using your remote

Once YouTube is open, you can search for videos using your TV remote. Look for a search icon (a magnifying glass) at the top of the screen and select it. Your TV displays a keyboard on the screen, and you use your remote's arrow buttons to highlight letters and the OK button to select them. This works but is slow for long searches.

A faster option is to use your phone as a remote. If your TV and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network, open the YouTube app on your phone, tap the cast icon (a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner), select your TV, and search from your phone. The results appear on your TV screen. You can also use a wireless keyboard plugged into your TV's USB port if your TV has one.

Troubleshooting when YouTube won't open

If you press the YouTube app and nothing happens, first check that your TV is connected to the internet. Go to your TV's settings, find the network or Wi-Fi section, and confirm you are connected. If the connection is working, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully load.

If YouTube still won't open, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app. Go to your TV's app store, find YouTube, and select "Uninstall." Wait a few seconds, then search for YouTube again and reinstall it. If you are using a streaming device, restart the device the same way—unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. If problems continue, contact your TV manufacturer's support line or the streaming device maker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch YouTube on a TV that is not a smart TV?

Yes. Plug a streaming device like Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV. These devices add YouTube and other apps to any TV with an HDMI input. You can also connect a laptop or computer to your TV with an HDMI cable and watch YouTube that way.

Do I need to pay for YouTube on my TV?

No. The YouTube app and most videos are free. YouTube Premium is an optional paid subscription that removes ads and lets you read videos, but you do not need it to watch YouTube on your TV.

Why is YouTube not showing up in my app store?

YouTube may not be available in your region, or your TV's operating system may not support it. Check your TV's manual or contact the manufacturer to confirm. If your TV is very old, a streaming device is your best option.

Can I use my phone to control YouTube on my TV?

Yes. If your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network, open YouTube on your phone, tap the cast icon at the top, select your TV, and search from your phone. The video plays on your TV while you control it from your phone.

What should I do if YouTube keeps freezing or buffering?

Move your TV closer to your Wi-Fi router or restart your internet by unplugging your router for 30 seconds. If your Wi-Fi is slow, restart your TV and try again. If buffering continues, your internet speed may be too slow for video—contact your internet provider to check your connection speed.