The fastest way to get YouTube on your Roku
YouTube comes built into most Roku devices, but if it is not already on your home screen, you can add it in under two minutes. Go to the Roku home screen, select the search icon (magnifying glass), type "YouTube", and install it from the results. Once installed, the app appears on your home screen and you can open it when ready. You will be asked to sign in with your Google account the first time you launch it.
If you cannot find YouTube in the search results, your Roku model may be too old to support the app — Roku devices from 2010 and earlier sometimes lack access to current versions. In that case, you can still watch YouTube through the web browser if your model has one, though the experience is slower and less reliable than using the dedicated app.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube installs from the Roku Channel Store using the search function on your home screen, and the process takes about two minutes.
- You will need a Google account to sign in after installation, and you can use the same account you use on your phone or computer.
- If YouTube does not appear in search results, your Roku is likely too old to support the current app version.
- Once signed in, your YouTube watch history, subscriptions, and recommendations sync across all your devices.
Step-by-step installation from the Roku home screen
Start from the Roku home screen — the main menu you see when you turn on the TV. Look for the magnifying glass icon in the top left corner and select it. This opens the search function. Type "YouTube" using your remote's arrow keys and the on-screen keyboard, or use voice search if your remote has a microphone button.
When YouTube appears in the search results, select it. You will see an "Install" button. Select that button and wait for the installation to complete — this usually takes 30 seconds to one minute. Once finished, you will see an "Open" button. Select it to launch YouTube for the first time.
If you do not see an "Install" button and instead see "Open", YouTube is already installed on your Roku. You can select "Open" to start using it right away, or go back to your home screen where YouTube should now appear as a tile you can select anytime.
Signing in with your Google account
When you open YouTube for the first time, you will be prompted to sign in. Select "Sign in" and you will see a code on your TV screen. On your phone, computer, or tablet, go to youtube.com/set up and enter that code. This method avoids typing your password on the TV remote, which is slow and error-prone.
After you enter the code on youtube.com/set up, select your Google account from the list shown. If you have multiple Google accounts, choose the one you want to use on this TV. The TV will automatically sign in within a few seconds. Your watch history, subscriptions, and recommendations will then sync to your Roku.
If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com. You will need an email address and a password. Once created, use that account to sign in on your Roku.
What to do if YouTube does not appear in search results
If you search for YouTube and it does not show up, your Roku model is likely running an older operating system that no longer supports the current YouTube app. Roku stopped updating YouTube for devices released before 2012, and support has become increasingly limited for models from 2012 to 2014.
You have two options. First, check whether your Roku has a web browser app — some older models do. Search for "Web Browser" in the Channel Store the same way you searched for YouTube. If it installs, you can open it and go to youtube.com, though playback will be slower and some features will not work. Second, you can use a streaming device like a Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Chromecast instead, all of which support YouTube fully.
Using YouTube on your Roku after installation
Once you are signed in, your YouTube home feed will show your subscriptions, recommended videos, and your watch history. Use the arrow keys on your remote to navigate, and select a video to play. The remote's back button takes you to the previous screen.
You can search for videos by selecting the search icon within the YouTube app itself. You can also use voice search if your remote has a microphone — press the microphone button and say the video title or channel name. Playback controls (play, pause, rewind, fast-forward) appear when you press the select button while a video is playing.
Your watch history and subscriptions are the same across all devices signed into your Google account. If you watch a video on your phone, it will show as watched on your Roku, and vice versa. You can manage your subscriptions and watch history from the YouTube app on your Roku or from youtube.com on any computer.
Troubleshooting common problems after installation
If YouTube installs but will not open, restart your Roku. Unplug the device from power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once it boots up, try opening YouTube again. If it still will not open, go to Settings > System > Power, select "System Restart", and let the device reboot.
If you see a sign-in error when you try to use youtube.com/set up, make sure you are entering the code correctly — it is case-sensitive. Also check that your phone or computer is connected to the internet. If the code expires before you enter it (codes last about 15 minutes), go back to the YouTube app on your TV and select "Sign in" again to get a new code.
If YouTube plays but the picture is choppy or keeps buffering, your internet connection may be too slow. Move your Roku closer to your Wi-Fi router, or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. You can also lower the video quality in YouTube's playback settings — select the three-dot menu during playback and choose a lower resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a YouTube TV subscription to watch YouTube on my Roku?
No. The YouTube app is free and does not require a subscription. You can watch any video that is public on YouTube without paying. YouTube Premium (the paid subscription) removes ads and adds features like offline downloads, but it is optional.
Can I use YouTube on my Roku without a Google account?
You can browse and watch public videos without signing in, but you will not see personalized recommendations or access your subscriptions and watch history. Creating a free Google account takes about two minutes and gives you the full experience.
What if I want to remove YouTube from my Roku?
Go to your Roku home screen, highlight the YouTube tile, press the star button on your remote, and select "Remove channel". This uninstalls the app but does not affect your Google account or your YouTube data on other devices.
Can I cast YouTube from my phone to my Roku?
Yes. Open YouTube on your phone, select the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol), choose your Roku from the list, and select a video to play. Your phone acts as a remote while the video plays on your TV.
Why is YouTube asking me to sign in every time I open it?
Your Roku may have auto-sign-out enabled, or your session may have expired. Go to Settings > System > Power and make sure "Auto power-off" is not set to a very short time, as this can log you out. You can also try signing out and signing back in using the youtube.com/set up method again.