The fastest way to add YouTube to Roku
YouTube comes built into most Roku devices, but if it is not already on your home screen, you can add it in under a minute. Go to the Roku home screen, select Search Channels, type "YouTube", and select the official YouTube channel from the results. Press Add Channel, and it will appear on your home screen when ready. You do not need to pay anything — the YouTube app itself is free.
If you already have YouTube on your Roku but it is buried in your channel list, you can move it to your home screen by highlighting it, pressing the Options button on your remote (the star icon), and selecting Move to Home. This takes a few seconds and makes it easier to find.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube is free on Roku and can be added through the Search Channels menu in under a minute.
- Most Roku devices come with YouTube already installed, so check your full channel list before searching for it.
- You will need a Google account to sign in to YouTube on your Roku, but you can create one for free if you do not have one.
- If YouTube stops working, signing out and back in, or restarting your Roku, fixes the problem in most cases.
What to do if YouTube is not showing up
If you search for YouTube and nothing appears, your Roku may be running an older software version. Go to Settings > System > System Update and select Check Now. Roku will read and install any available updates, which usually takes a few minutes. Restart your TV after the update finishes, then search for YouTube again.
If you have already added YouTube but it disappeared from your home screen, it is still in your channel list — it just got moved. Press the Home button on your remote, scroll down to My Channels, and look for YouTube there. You can move it back to your home screen using the Options button method described above.
Signing in with your Google account
When you open YouTube on Roku for the first time, it will ask you to sign in. You will need a Google account — this is the same account you use for Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google service. If you do not have one, you can create one for free at google.com.
Roku will show you a code on your TV screen and ask you to visit youtube.com/set up on your phone or computer. Enter that code, sign in with your Google account, and authorize Roku to access your YouTube. Once you do this, you will be signed in on your TV and can watch your subscriptions, playlists, and recommendations right away.
Controlling YouTube from your phone
You can use your phone as a remote for YouTube on Roku without downloading anything extra. Open the YouTube app on your phone, tap your profile picture, go to Settings > Connected Apps, and select your Roku TV from the list. You can now cast videos directly from your phone to your TV, or use your phone as a remote to pause, rewind, and adjust the volume.
If your phone does not show your Roku in the Connected Apps list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are, restart the YouTube app on your phone and try again. The connection usually appears within a few seconds once both devices are on the same network.
Fixing YouTube when it stops working
If YouTube freezes, loads slowly, or shows an error message, the first step is to sign out and sign back in. Open YouTube on your Roku, press the Options button, select Sign Out, wait a few seconds, and sign back in with your Google account. This clears any temporary problems and usually takes less than a minute.
If that does not work, restart your Roku completely. Go to Settings > System > Power and select Restart. Your TV will turn off and back on, which takes about 30 seconds. Once it restarts, open YouTube again. If YouTube still does not work after a restart, check that your internet connection is stable by opening another app like Netflix or a weather channel.
When to contact Roku support
If YouTube works on other devices in your home but not on your Roku, or if you see an error code on your screen, contact Roku support directly. You can reach them through the Roku website or call the number on the back of your Roku device. They can tell you whether the problem is with your specific device or a temporary issue affecting many users.
If your Roku is very old — more than five or six years — YouTube may stop working because the app no longer supports that hardware version. In that case, Roku support can confirm whether an update will fix it or whether you would need a newer device. This is rare, but it does happen with very old models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for YouTube on Roku?
No. The YouTube app is free. You can watch as much as you want without paying anything. YouTube Premium, which removes ads and adds offline viewing, costs money, but the basic app is always free.
Can I watch YouTube TV on my Roku?
Yes, but YouTube TV is a separate app from regular YouTube. Search for "YouTube TV" in the Roku channel store to add it. YouTube TV is a paid service that includes live TV channels, but you can start a trial to see if you like it before paying.
Why does YouTube ask me to sign in every time I open it?
This usually means your Roku lost the connection to your Google account, often after a software update or if you cleared the app data. Sign in again and it should stay signed in. If it keeps asking you to sign in, restart your Roku and try signing in once more.
Can I use YouTube on Roku without Wi-Fi?
No. YouTube streams video over the internet, so your Roku must be connected to Wi-Fi to work. Make sure your Roku is on the same network as your router and that the connection is stable.
What if my Roku remote does not have a search button?
Older Roku remotes do not have a dedicated search button. Instead, go to the home screen and look for a Search Channels option in the menu. Select it with the arrow buttons and press OK. You can then type "YouTube" using the remote's number pad or letter buttons.