Uninstall YouTube Using the Roku Home Screen
To remove YouTube from your Roku TV, go to the home screen, highlight the YouTube app, press the Options button (the star icon) on your remote, and select "Remove channel." The app disappears when ready. You can reinstall it later from the Roku Channel Store if you change your mind.
The Options button is usually located in the upper right area of your Roku remote. If you're using a voice remote, you may need to press the button with three horizontal lines (the menu button) instead, then look for a "Remove" or "Delete" option in the menu that appears.
Some Roku models come with YouTube pre-installed and cannot be fully removed—instead, you'll see an "Uninstall updates" option. This removes recent updates but keeps the base app. If that's the case on your TV, you can still hide the channel from your home screen by moving it to the end of your channel list or using the "Hide channel" option if available.
Key Takeaways
- Press the Options button (star icon) on your remote while YouTube is highlighted, then select "Remove channel" to uninstall it.
- Some Roku models have YouTube pre-installed and locked, so you may only be able to uninstall updates rather than remove the app entirely.
- You can hide YouTube from your home screen by moving it to the far right of your channel list or using the hide option in the channel menu.
- Removing YouTube does not affect other apps or your Roku account, and you can reinstall it from the Roku Channel Store at any time.
Hide YouTube Without Fully Removing It
If you want YouTube off your home screen but don't want to uninstall it completely, you can hide the channel instead. Highlight YouTube on your home screen, press Options, and select "Hide channel." The app stays on your Roku system but no longer appears in your channel list.
To access a hidden channel later, go to your Roku account settings on the Roku website or mobile app, find the hidden channel, and select "Unhide." You can also search for YouTube by name using your Roku remote's search function, and it will appear in the search results even if it's hidden from your main channel list.
Remove YouTube Updates on Pre-Installed Versions
Roku ships some TV models with YouTube already installed as a system app. These versions cannot be removed entirely, but you can uninstall updates to roll the app back to its original state. Highlight YouTube, press Options, and look for "Uninstall updates" or "Remove updates."
After you uninstall updates, YouTube will revert to an older version and will no longer receive new features or security patches until you manually update it again. This is useful if a recent YouTube update caused problems on your TV, but it's not a permanent removal. If you want YouTube completely off your screen, use the hide channel method instead.
Manage Your Roku Home Screen After Removal
Once you remove YouTube, your Roku home screen reorganizes automatically. Your remaining channels shift to fill the space. You can rearrange your channels by highlighting any app, pressing Options, and selecting "Move channel," then using your remote to place it where you want.
You can also add new channels to replace YouTube's spot. Press the Home button on your remote, scroll to "Streaming Channels," and browse the Roku Channel Store to find apps you'd like to add. Popular alternatives to YouTube include Pluto TV, Tubi, and Plex, which all offer free video content.
Reinstall YouTube If You Change Your Mind
Removing YouTube doesn't permanently delete it from Roku's system. To add it back, go to the Roku home screen, scroll right to "Streaming Channels," search for "YouTube," and select "Add channel." The installation takes less than a minute, and you'll be signed into the same YouTube account you used before.
Your YouTube watch history, subscriptions, and playlists remain tied to your Google account, so reinstalling the app brings everything back exactly as it was. You don't lose any personal data by removing and reinstalling the channel.
Troubleshoot If YouTube Won't Remove
If the "Remove channel" option doesn't appear or YouTube keeps reappearing after removal, your Roku model likely has YouTube locked as a system app. Try restarting your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. After the restart, attempt removal again.
If removal still doesn't work, use the hide channel method instead. Go to your Roku account on the Roku website, navigate to "My Channels," find YouTube, and select "Hide." This removes it from your home screen permanently without requiring the TV to support full removal. You can also contact Roku support through their website if you believe the app is malfunctioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing YouTube affect my other Roku apps or my account?
No. Removing YouTube only deletes that single app. Your other channels, your Roku account, and your TV settings remain unchanged. Your Google account and YouTube data stay on Google's servers and are not affected.
Can I remove YouTube from a Roku TV that came with it pre-installed?
It depends on your Roku model. Some models allow full removal, while others have YouTube locked as a system app and only allow you to uninstall updates or hide the channel. Try the standard removal process first; if it doesn't work, hiding the channel is the next best option.
What's the difference between removing and hiding YouTube?
Removing deletes the app from your Roku system entirely. Hiding keeps the app installed but removes it from your home screen. Both methods get YouTube off your screen, but hiding takes less time and is reversible without reinstalling.
How do I reinstall YouTube after removing it?
Go to the Roku home screen, scroll to "Streaming Channels," search for YouTube, and select "Add channel." Installation takes about a minute. Your YouTube account, subscriptions, and watch history will be there when you sign in.
Why does YouTube keep coming back after I remove it?
Your Roku TV may have YouTube set to auto-install, or your model may have it locked as a system app that cannot be permanently removed. Check your Roku settings under "System" or "Auto-play" to see if YouTube is set to reinstall automatically. If it's a system app, use the hide channel option instead.