How to Add YouTube to Your Roku TV

The fastest way to add YouTube to Roku

YouTube comes built into most Roku devices, but if it is not on your home screen, you can add it in under two minutes. Go to the Roku home screen, scroll down to "Streaming Channels," select "Search Channels," type "YouTube," and choose the official YouTube app (the one with the red play button). Select "Add Channel" and wait for it to install—this usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. Once installed, YouTube will appear on your home screen and you can open it when ready.

If you already have YouTube on your Roku but cannot find it, it may have been moved or hidden. Scroll through your entire home screen from left to right to locate it. If you still cannot see it, you can reinstall it by following the same steps above—reinstalling will not delete your settings or watch history.

Key Takeaways

YouTube installs from the Roku Channel Store in under two minutes and appears on your home screen right away.
You need a Google account to sign in to YouTube on Roku, but you do not need a YouTube TV subscription to watch free videos.
If YouTube is slow or freezes, restart your Roku device by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
YouTube will remember your watch history and recommendations across all your devices once you sign in with your Google account.

Finding and opening the Roku Channel Store

The Roku Channel Store is where all apps live on your Roku device. From your home screen, use your remote to scroll down until you see "Streaming Channels" or "Search Channels"—the exact wording depends on your Roku model and software version. Press the OK button on your remote to open it.

If you cannot find "Streaming Channels," look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of your home screen. Press it and select "Manage Channels" or "Add Channels." Both paths lead to the same Channel Store where you can search for YouTube.

Searching for and installing the YouTube app

Once you are in the Channel Store, select "Search Channels" and use your remote to type "YouTube." The official YouTube app will appear at the top of the results—it has a red square icon with a white play button. Do not confuse it with YouTube TV, which is a separate paid service. Select the YouTube app and press OK.

A details page will open showing the app description and a button that says "Add Channel." Press OK on this button. Your Roku will read and install YouTube, which usually takes 10 to 30 seconds depending on your internet speed. You will see a progress bar or a message saying "Installation in progress." Once it finishes, you will see a confirmation that YouTube has been added.

Signing in with your Google account

After YouTube installs, it will open automatically or you can select it from your home screen. The app will ask you to sign in with a Google account. You can use any Google account—a Gmail address, a Google account created through another service, or a personal Google account you set up just for YouTube.

YouTube will display a code on your TV screen and ask you to visit youtube.com/set up on your phone or computer. Enter the code shown on your TV into the website, and your Roku will sign in automatically. This method is faster and more reliable than typing a password on your remote. Once you are signed in, YouTube will sync your watch history, subscriptions, and recommendations from any other device where you use the same Google account.

Troubleshooting YouTube if it will not install or open

If YouTube will not install, check that your Roku is connected to the internet. Go to Settings > Network on your Roku home screen and confirm you see a connected network. If your internet is working but YouTube still will not install, restart your Roku by unplugging it from power for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for it to fully restart (about one minute) and try installing YouTube again.

If YouTube installs but will not open, or if it freezes or loads very slowly, the same restart method usually fixes it. Unplug your Roku for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to restart completely. If the problem continues, go to Settings > System > System Restart and select "Restart" from the menu. This is a deeper restart that clears temporary files and often solves playback problems.

Moving YouTube on your home screen

Once YouTube is installed, it will appear somewhere on your home screen. If you want to move it to a different position—for example, to put it next to other video apps—you can rearrange your home screen. Press and hold the OK button on your remote while YouTube is highlighted. A menu will appear with options including "Move Channel." Use the arrow buttons on your remote to move YouTube left or right, then press OK to confirm its new position.

Different Roku models handle this slightly differently. On some models, you may need to select "Edit Home Screen" from a menu instead. If you are not sure how to rearrange apps on your specific Roku, check the model number on the back of your device and search "Roku [model number] rearrange channels" for exact instructions.

What to do if YouTube is not in the Channel Store

YouTube is available in the Channel Store on all Roku devices sold in the United States and most other countries. If you search for YouTube and it does not appear, your Roku may not have internet access. Check your network connection by going to Settings > Network and confirming you are connected to your Wi-Fi.

If your internet is working but YouTube still does not show up in search results, your Roku software may be outdated. Go to Settings > System > System Update and select "Check Now." If an update is available, install it and restart your Roku. Once the update is complete, search for YouTube again in the Channel Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a YouTube TV subscription to watch YouTube on Roku?

No. YouTube TV is a separate paid service. The regular YouTube app is free and lets you watch any video on YouTube.com without paying. You only need a Google account to sign in and access your personal watch history and subscriptions.

Can I use YouTube on Roku without signing in?

Yes, you can browse and watch videos without signing in, but you will not see your personal recommendations, subscriptions, or watch history. Signing in takes about one minute and syncs everything across your devices, so most people sign in right away.

Why is YouTube loading slowly on my Roku?

Slow loading usually means your internet connection is weak or your Roku is running too many apps at once. Restart your Roku by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If it is still slow, move your Roku closer to your Wi-Fi router or check if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth.

Can I delete YouTube from my Roku after I install it?

Yes. Highlight YouTube on your home screen, press and hold OK on your remote, and select "Remove Channel." This removes it from your home screen but does not affect your Google account or watch history. You can reinstall it anytime by going back to the Channel Store.

Will YouTube remember what I watched if I sign in on multiple Roku devices?

Yes, as long as you sign in with the same Google account on each Roku. Your watch history, subscriptions, and recommendations will sync across all devices within a few minutes. If you sign in with different Google accounts on different Roku devices, each account will have its own separate history.

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