The fastest way to get YouTube on an LG TV

Most LG TVs made in the last five years have YouTube built in. Turn on your TV, press the Home button on your remote, and look for the YouTube app in your app menu — it's usually on the home screen or in a row labeled "Featured" or "Apps". If you see it, select it, sign in with your Google account, and you're done.

If your LG TV is older or doesn't have YouTube pre-installed, you can add it through the LG Content Store. Press Home, find the app store (called LG Content Store or LG App Store depending on your model year), search for YouTube, and install it from there. The whole process takes about two minutes.

If neither of those options works — your TV is very old, or the app won't install — you can stream YouTube from your phone to your TV using a Chromecast, Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV connected to an HDMI port. This is also the route to take if you want to cast YouTube from your phone or computer to your TV screen without using the TV's built-in app.

Key Takeaways

  • LG TVs from roughly 2019 onward have YouTube already installed; check your Home screen or app menu first.
  • If YouTube isn't there, open the LG Content Store from your Home menu and install it in about two minutes.
  • Older LG TVs without YouTube can use a Chromecast, Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV plugged into an HDMI port to stream YouTube.
  • You'll need a Google account to sign in to YouTube on your TV, whether the app is built in or installed later.

Finding YouTube if your LG TV already has it

Press the Home button on your LG remote. This brings up your TV's home screen, which shows apps and content organized in rows. Look for a YouTube icon — it's a red rectangle with a white play button — in the top rows or under a section labeled "Featured Apps" or "Recommended".

If you don't see YouTube in the obvious spots, scroll down or to the right to find an "Apps" section or folder. Select it and look through the list. YouTube is usually alphabetized, so scroll toward the Y section. Once you find it, select YouTube and it will open.

The first time you open YouTube, you'll be asked to sign in. Use your Google account email and password. If you don't have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com. After you sign in, YouTube will remember your account and you won't have to sign in again unless you restart the TV or clear its data.

Installing YouTube from the LG Content Store

If YouTube isn't on your home screen, open the LG Content Store. Press Home, then look for an icon labeled "LG Content Store", "LG App Store", or sometimes just "Store". Select it and wait for the store to load — this usually takes 10 to 15 seconds.

Once the store opens, you'll see a search box at the top. Select it and type "YouTube". The official YouTube app will appear in the results. Select it, then select the Install button. The app will read and install automatically; this takes about one to two minutes depending on your internet speed.

When installation finishes, you'll see an "Open" button. Select it to launch YouTube for the first time. Sign in with your Google account, and the app is ready to use. YouTube will now appear on your home screen or in your apps list every time you turn on your TV.

Using Chromecast, Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV to stream YouTube

If your LG TV is older than 2019 or doesn't support YouTube installation, you can use a separate streaming device. Plug a Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV into an available HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. Switch your TV's input to that HDMI port using your remote's Input or Source button.

Each device has its own setup process, but all of them include YouTube in their app store. Once you've set up the device and connected it to your Wi-Fi, open its app store, search for YouTube, and install it. Then sign in with your Google account. You can now use YouTube on your TV through that device.

These devices also let you cast YouTube from your phone or computer to your TV. Open YouTube on your phone or computer, select the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol), and choose your TV or streaming device from the list. The video will play on your TV screen while you control it from your phone.

Signing in and using your Google account

YouTube on your LG TV uses your Google account to save your watch history, subscriptions, and recommendations. When you open YouTube for the first time, you'll see a sign-in screen. Enter your Google account email address and password. If you've never created a Google account, go to google.com on a computer or phone and select "Create account".

If you share your TV with other people, each person can have their own Google account. On most LG TVs, you can add multiple user profiles. Check your TV's settings menu to see if your model supports this — it's usually under Settings > Users or Accounts. Each profile can have its own YouTube account and watch history.

If you forget your Google password, go to accounts.google.com on a phone or computer and select "Forgot password?". Google will walk you through recovering your account. You'll need access to a recovery email or phone number you set up when you created the account.

Troubleshooting YouTube on your LG TV

If YouTube won't open or keeps crashing, restart your TV. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on. This clears the TV's temporary memory and often fixes app problems.

If YouTube opens but won't load videos, check your internet connection. Go to your TV's Settings menu and look for Network or Wi-Fi. Make sure your TV is connected to your Wi-Fi network and that the signal is strong. If the signal is weak, move your router closer to the TV or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If you're signed in but YouTube says your account isn't recognized, sign out and sign back in. Go to YouTube's settings (usually a gear icon), find Account or Sign Out, and select it. Then open YouTube again and sign in with your email and password. If this doesn't work, restart your TV and try again.

If the LG Content Store won't open or won't let you install YouTube, your TV may need a software update. Go to Settings > Support > Software Update and check for updates. If one is available, select Install and let your TV update. This can take 10 to 20 minutes. Don't unplug the TV during an update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a YouTube TV subscription to watch YouTube on my LG TV?

No. Regular YouTube is free and works on any LG TV with the YouTube app. YouTube TV is a separate paid service that includes live TV channels. You can watch free YouTube videos without paying anything.

Can I use YouTube without signing in to a Google account?

You can browse YouTube without signing in, but you won't be able to save your watch history, subscribe to channels, or create playlists. Signing in takes less than a minute and is free.

What if my LG TV is connected to the internet but YouTube videos won't play?

Restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If that doesn't work, restart your router the same way. If videos still won't play, check that your internet speed is at least 2.5 Mbps for standard video or 7 Mbps for HD video. You can test your speed at speedtest.net on a computer or phone.

Can I control YouTube on my TV from my phone?

Yes, if you're using a Chromecast, Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV. Open YouTube on your phone, tap the cast icon, and select your TV. You can then play, pause, and skip videos from your phone while the video plays on your TV screen.

What should I do if the YouTube app keeps asking me to sign in every time I turn on the TV?

Restart your TV and sign in again. Make sure you're using the correct Google account email and password. If it keeps happening, go to your TV's Settings, find Apps or process Manager, select YouTube, and choose "Clear Cache" or "Clear Data". Then open YouTube and sign in again.