Getting YouTube on Your Roku TV
YouTube comes pre-installed on most Roku TV models made in the last five years, so you may already have it. Look at your home screen — if you see a YouTube icon (a red rectangle with a white play button), you're ready to go. If you don't see it, you can add it from the Roku Channel Store in about two minutes.
The process differs slightly depending on whether your TV is a Roku TV (a television with Roku built in) or a Roku streaming device plugged into another TV. Both methods are straightforward and require only your remote and a working internet connection.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube is usually already on your Roku TV — check your home screen for the red YouTube icon before searching for it.
- If YouTube is missing, go to the Roku Channel Store, search for YouTube, and select "Add Channel" to install it free.
- Open YouTube by pressing the YouTube button on your Roku remote (if your remote has one) or by selecting the YouTube icon from your home screen.
- You can sign in with your Google account to see your subscriptions and watch history, but you don't need to sign in to browse and watch public videos.
- If YouTube won't load, restart your Roku TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
Finding YouTube on Your Home Screen
Turn on your Roku TV and look at the main menu. The home screen shows rows of apps and channels. Scroll left and right to see all available options. YouTube appears as a red square with a white play button in the center. If you see it, highlight it with your remote and press the OK button in the center of the directional pad to open it.
If YouTube is not visible on your home screen, it may be installed but hidden. Press the Home button on your remote to make sure you're on the main menu, then scroll all the way to the right. Some Roku TVs place less-used channels at the far right of the home screen. If you still don't see it after scrolling, you'll need to add it from the Channel Store.
Adding YouTube from the Roku Channel Store
Press the Home button on your remote to go to the main menu. Look for an option labeled "Streaming Channels," "Channel Store," or "Add Channel" — the exact name varies by Roku model. Highlight it and press OK.
Once you're in the Channel Store, use the search function. Press the button with a magnifying glass icon on your remote, or look for a "Search" option at the top of the screen. Type "YouTube" using the on-screen keyboard. Your remote will have a directional pad to move between letters, or you can use a voice remote to speak the word.
When YouTube appears in the search results, select it and press OK. You'll see a button that says "Add Channel" or "Install." Press OK on that button. The channel will read and install within seconds. You'll see a confirmation message when it's done. YouTube will now appear on your home screen.
Opening YouTube and Signing In
Once YouTube is on your home screen, select it and press OK to open the app. The first time you open it, you may see a prompt to sign in with your Google account. This step is optional — you can browse and watch public videos without signing in.
If you want to sign in to see your subscriptions, watch history, and saved playlists, select "Sign In" when prompted. Your Roku TV will display a code on the screen. Go to youtube.com/set up on any computer or phone, enter that code, and follow the steps to connect your Google account. Once you're signed in on the web, your Roku TV will automatically log in.
If you don't see a sign-in prompt, you can sign in later. Open YouTube, scroll down to find "Settings" or "Account," and look for a "Sign In" option there.
Using the YouTube Button on Your Remote
Many Roku remotes have a dedicated YouTube button — a red button with the YouTube logo. If your remote has one, press it anytime to jump directly to YouTube, even if you're watching another app. This is the fastest way to switch to YouTube.
If your remote doesn't have a YouTube button, you can still open YouTube by going to your home screen and selecting the app, as described above. Newer Roku remotes (especially voice remotes) are more likely to have a YouTube button, but older remotes may not.
Troubleshooting YouTube on Roku
If YouTube won't load or keeps crashing, restart your Roku TV. Unplug the TV from the power outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears the TV's memory and often fixes temporary glitches. Wait for the Roku logo to appear and the TV to fully boot up before trying YouTube again.
If YouTube still won't work after a restart, check your internet connection. Go to Settings > Network on your Roku TV and make sure you're connected to your Wi-Fi. If the connection is weak or unstable, move your router closer to the TV or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
If you're signed in but YouTube won't load your subscriptions or watch history, try signing out and signing back in. Go to YouTube > Settings > Account > Sign Out, then use the youtube.com/set up method described above to sign back in. This refreshes your account connection and usually solves the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for YouTube on Roku?
No. The YouTube app itself is free. You can watch videos without paying anything. YouTube Premium (an optional paid subscription) removes ads and adds features like offline viewing, but it's not required to use YouTube on Roku.
Can I use YouTube on Roku without a Google account?
Yes. You can browse and watch any public video without signing in. You won't see your subscriptions or watch history, but the app works fine. Sign in only if you want those features.
Why does YouTube keep asking me to sign in?
Your Roku TV may have lost its connection to your Google account. Go to YouTube > Settings > Account and select "Sign Out." Then visit youtube.com/set up on another device, enter the code shown on your TV, and sign in again with your Google account.
Can I use voice search on YouTube with my Roku remote?
If you have a Roku voice remote, press the microphone button and speak the name of a video or channel. The TV will search YouTube for what you said. Standard remotes don't have voice search — you'll use the directional pad and on-screen keyboard instead.
What should I do if YouTube is installed but won't appear on my home screen?
Go to Settings > Home Screen and look for an option to customize or manage channels. You may need to unhide YouTube or move it back to a visible position. If that doesn't work, uninstall YouTube from the Channel Store and reinstall it using the steps above.