YouTube is built into most Roku TVs, but you may need to add it to your home screen
YouTube comes pre-installed on nearly all Roku televisions, but it does not always appear on your home screen by default. If you do not see the YouTube icon when you turn on your TV, you can add it in about two minutes through the Roku Channel Store. The process is the same whether you own a Roku-branded TV or a television from another manufacturer that runs Roku software.
You do not need to read or install anything on your computer first. Everything happens directly on your TV using your remote control.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube is already on your Roku TV but may be hidden; you add it to your home screen through the Channel Store, not through a computer.
- You need a Google account (the same one you use for Gmail or Android) to sign in to YouTube on your TV.
- The entire process of finding, adding, and signing in takes about five minutes.
- If YouTube does not appear in the Channel Store, restart your TV and check your internet connection.
Finding YouTube in the Roku Channel Store
Press the Home button on your Roku remote to go to the home screen. Look for an icon labeled "Roku Channel Store" or sometimes just "Channel Store"—it usually appears in the top row or in a menu on the left side of the screen. Select it and press OK.
Once inside the Channel Store, you will see a search box at the top. Highlight it and press OK, then use your remote to type "YouTube." The keyboard appears on screen; use the arrow buttons to select each letter, then press OK to confirm. YouTube should appear in the search results within a few seconds.
Select the YouTube result and press OK. You will see a button that says "Add Channel" or sometimes "Install." Press OK on that button. The channel will read and install automatically—this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes depending on your internet speed.
Signing In With Your Google Account
After YouTube installs, it will open automatically and ask you to sign in. You will see a code on your screen—usually four or five letters and numbers. Write this code down or remember it, because you will need it on another device.
On your phone, tablet, or computer, go to youtube.com/set up in a web browser. Enter the code from your TV screen exactly as it appears. Then sign in with your Google account—this is the same email and password you use for Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google service.
Once you sign in on the web, your TV will recognize you automatically within a few seconds. You will see your YouTube home feed, subscriptions, and watch history appear on your television screen. You do not need to do anything else on your phone or computer after that.
What to Do If YouTube Does Not Appear in the Channel Store
If you search for YouTube and nothing comes up, your TV may not have an internet connection or the connection may be too slow. Go back to the home screen, select Settings, then Network, and check that your TV is connected to your Wi-Fi. If it is not connected, select your network name and enter your password.
After connecting to the internet, restart your TV completely by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for it to fully load—you will see the Roku logo and then the home screen. Try searching for YouTube in the Channel Store again.
If YouTube still does not appear, your Roku TV may be very old or running outdated software. Check for a software update by going to Settings, then System, then System Update. Select "Check Now" and let your TV update if one is available. Restart the TV again and search for YouTube.
Removing YouTube From Your Home Screen
If you want to remove YouTube from your home screen but keep it installed, highlight the YouTube icon on your home screen and press the Options button (the star or asterisk button on your remote). Select "Remove Channel" from the menu. This removes the icon from your home screen but keeps YouTube in your Channel Store so you can add it back anytime.
If you want to completely uninstall YouTube, go to Settings, then Channels, then Manage Installed Channels. Find YouTube in the list, select it, and choose "Remove Channel." You can reinstall it from the Channel Store whenever you want.
Troubleshooting Sign-In Problems
If you enter your Google account password and see an error message, make sure you are typing your email address and password correctly. Google accounts are case-sensitive for passwords, so check that Caps Lock is not on.
If you see a message that says your account cannot be used on this device, you may have two-factor authentication enabled on your Google account. Go to youtube.com/set up on your phone or computer and follow the extra verification steps Google asks for. You may need to enter a code from your phone or approve the sign-in from another device you own.
If you have forgotten your Google password, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery on any computer or phone and follow Google's account recovery process. Once you reset your password, try signing in to YouTube on your TV again.
Using YouTube on Your Roku Remote
Once you are signed in, use the arrow buttons on your remote to move up, down, left, and right through videos and menus. Press OK to select a video and start playing it. Press the Back button to go back to the previous screen.
To search for videos, go to the home screen in YouTube and look for the search icon (usually a magnifying glass). Select it and type the video title or channel name using the on-screen keyboard. The remote's arrow buttons move through the letters; press OK to select each one.
To pause, play, rewind, or fast-forward, use the playback buttons on your remote—these usually have symbols like a triangle (play) or two vertical lines (pause). On most Roku remotes, these buttons are in the center of the remote below the arrow buttons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a YouTube Premium subscription to watch YouTube on my Roku TV?
No. YouTube works on Roku TV with a free Google account. You will see ads on free videos, just like on a computer or phone. If you pay for YouTube Premium, you can sign in with that account and watch without ads, but it is not required.
Can I use the same Google account on multiple Roku TVs?
Yes. Sign in with the same Google account on each TV, and your subscriptions and watch history will appear on all of them. You can watch on one TV and pick up where you left off on another.
Why does YouTube keep asking me to sign in again?
This usually happens if your TV lost its internet connection or if you have not used YouTube in a very long time. Check that your TV is still connected to Wi-Fi. If it is, go back to youtube.com/set up on your phone or computer and sign in again using the code on your TV screen.
Can I cast videos from my phone to YouTube on my Roku TV?
Yes. Open YouTube on your phone, select a video, and tap the Cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner). Select your Roku TV from the list. The video will start playing on your TV while you control it from your phone.
What if my Roku TV is not a smart TV and does not run Roku software?
YouTube is only built into Roku-branded televisions and TVs that run Roku software. If your TV is a different brand and does not have Roku built in, you would need a separate device like a Roku streaming stick or box to use YouTube on that TV.