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, look for the YouTube app in your home menu or app store, and open it. If you see YouTube already listed, select it and sign in with your Google account. If your TV is older or YouTube is not visible, you can add it through the LG Content Store, which is the app marketplace on your TV.

If your LG TV does not have a smart TV system at all — some older models are just a screen — you will need a separate device like a Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast to stream YouTube. These plug into your TV's HDMI port and cost between $30 and $100 depending on the model.

Key Takeaways

  • LG TVs from roughly 2018 onward come with YouTube pre-installed or available in the LG Content Store at no cost.
  • You sign in with your Google account, not a separate YouTube account, and can watch on your TV when ready after.
  • If your LG TV is older or does not have smart features, a Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Chromecast will add YouTube for $30 to $100.
  • YouTube on LG TVs works the same way as on other smart TVs — search, subscribe, and watch full-screen without ads if you have YouTube Premium.

Finding YouTube in your LG TV's menu

Open your LG TV and look at the home screen. On newer LG models, YouTube is usually pinned to the front row of apps. If you do not see it when ready, press the Home button on your remote and look for an app store or content store icon — on LG TVs this is called the LG Content Store.

Once you open the LG Content Store, use the search function to type "YouTube" and select the official YouTube app made by Google. Press the button to add it to your TV. The read takes less than a minute on most connections. After installation, YouTube will appear in your apps menu and you can open it anytime.

Signing in with your Google account

When you open YouTube for the first time, the app will ask you to sign in. You will see a code on your TV screen — something like a four-digit or six-digit number. On your phone or computer, go to youtube.com/set up and type in that code. This links your Google account to your TV without you having to type your password on the remote, which is slow and error-prone.

After you enter the code on your computer, your TV will automatically sign in. You can now watch videos, search your subscriptions, and use all YouTube features on the big screen. If you have YouTube Premium, your TV will show no ads and let you read videos to watch offline.

Using a streaming device if your TV is not smart

If your LG TV does not have built-in apps or the YouTube app will not install, a streaming device is the simplest fix. The most common options are Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast. All of them plug into your TV's HDMI port — the same port you might use for a cable box or game console.

Google Chromecast is the cheapest option at around $30 and works directly with YouTube. Roku and Fire Stick cost $40 to $60 and give you access to hundreds of apps beyond YouTube. Apple TV is the most expensive at $100 and up, but it integrates tightly with other Apple devices if you own an iPhone or iPad. Once plugged in, each device connects to your WiFi and you sign in with your Google account just as you would on the TV itself.

Troubleshooting YouTube on your LG TV

If YouTube opens but videos will not play, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If that does not work, check that your WiFi is connected — look for the WiFi symbol in your TV's settings. Weak WiFi causes buffering and playback errors. If you are far from your router, move it closer or use a WiFi extender.

If YouTube is not in your LG Content Store at all, your TV may be too old to support it. LG TVs from before 2015 often cannot run newer apps. In that case, a streaming device is your only option. If you have a newer TV and YouTube still will not appear, restart the LG Content Store itself by going to Settings, then Apps, then LG Content Store, and selecting Restart or Clear Cache.

Comparing YouTube on LG TV versus other devices

YouTube on an LG TV works the same as on a phone, tablet, or computer — you search, watch, subscribe, and create playlists. The main difference is the screen size and the remote control. On a TV, you use your LG remote to navigate instead of touching a screen, which takes a few seconds longer but is more comfortable for watching long videos.

If you have multiple people in your home, LG TVs let you add multiple Google accounts. Each person can sign in and see their own subscriptions and watch history. This is useful if you share the TV but want separate recommendations. To add another account, go to Settings, then Accounts, and select Add Account.

What to expect from YouTube Premium on your LG TV

YouTube Premium removes ads from all videos on your LG TV, lets you read videos to watch without internet, and gives you access to YouTube Music. If you already pay for YouTube Premium on your phone or computer, that subscription works on your TV too — you do not pay twice. When you sign in with the same Google account, your Premium status carries over automatically.

Without Premium, you will see ads before most videos and sometimes in the middle of longer videos. The ads are the same ones you see on YouTube on other devices. If you watch YouTube on your TV for more than a few hours a week, Premium usually pays for itself in time saved from skipping ads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate YouTube account for my TV?

No. YouTube uses your Google account, which is the same account you use for Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services. You sign in once on your TV and your subscriptions, watch history, and recommendations appear automatically.

Can I use YouTube on my LG TV without WiFi?

No. YouTube requires an internet connection to stream video. Your LG TV must be connected to WiFi or ethernet. If your WiFi is slow, videos may buffer or play at lower quality.

What if my LG TV is too old to run YouTube?

Buy a streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick for $30 to $60. Plug it into your TV's HDMI port, connect it to WiFi, and sign in with your Google account. You will have full YouTube access on any TV, old or new.

Can multiple people watch YouTube on the same LG TV?

Yes. Add multiple Google accounts in your TV's Settings under Accounts. Each person can sign in and see their own subscriptions and watch history. You can switch between accounts using your remote.

Does YouTube Premium work on my LG TV?

Yes. If you pay for YouTube Premium, sign in with the same Google account you use on your phone or computer. Your Premium membership works on your TV with no ads, offline downloads, and YouTube Music included.