Shuffle is built into YouTube's TV app, but the path to it depends on which device you own

YouTube's shuffle feature on TV works differently than it does on your phone. On most TV devices — Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, Google TV, and Samsung Smart TV — you reach shuffle through the playlist menu itself, not through a separate settings panel. The button appears when you open a playlist, and tapping it randomizes the order of videos without changing the playlist permanently.

The exact steps vary slightly by device type, but the core action is the same: open your playlist, look for a shuffle icon (usually three lines with arrows), and select it. Your videos will play in random order from that point forward. When you stop playback and return to the playlist later, the original order is restored.

Key Takeaways

  • Shuffle appears in the playlist menu on your TV, not in a separate settings area, and you access it before playback starts.
  • The shuffle icon typically looks like three horizontal lines with small arrows and sits near the play button in the playlist view.
  • Shuffling does not permanently change your playlist — the original order returns the next time you open it.
  • If you cannot find the shuffle button, make sure you are viewing the full playlist menu and not just a single video detail page.

Shuffle on Roku and Fire Stick

On Roku and Fire Stick, open YouTube and navigate to your library or a saved playlist. Select the playlist you want to shuffle. Before you press play on the first video, look at the menu that appears below the playlist title — you should see options including "Play" and "Shuffle." Highlight "Shuffle" and press the center button on your remote to start playback in random order.

If you do not see a shuffle option, scroll down in the playlist view to make sure you are looking at the full menu. Sometimes the button is below the fold on smaller screens. Once shuffle is active, the videos will play in a different order each time you restart the playlist.

Shuffle on Apple TV and tvOS

Apple TV displays the shuffle button more prominently than most other platforms. Open YouTube, go to your library, and select a playlist. At the top of the playlist, you will see two large buttons: one for "Play" and one for "Shuffle." Press the shuffle button to begin playback in random order. The button is usually positioned to the right of the play button.

On some versions of the YouTube app for Apple TV, you may need to scroll slightly to see both buttons if the playlist title is very long. If you see only a play button, try scrolling left or right to reveal additional options.

Shuffle on Google TV and Android TV

Google TV and Android TV devices handle shuffle similarly to Roku. Open YouTube, navigate to your library or a saved playlist, and select the one you want. Look for the shuffle icon in the menu below the playlist title — it usually appears next to or near the play button. Select it to start shuffling.

On some Android TV remotes, you may need to use the directional pad to highlight the shuffle option and then press the center select button. If the menu seems cut off at the bottom of your screen, try pressing down on the remote to scroll and reveal more options.

Shuffle on Samsung Smart TV

Samsung Smart TVs running Tizen OS display the YouTube app with a slightly different layout. Open YouTube, go to your library, and select a playlist. The shuffle button appears in the action menu, typically shown as a row of icons below the playlist title. Look for the shuffle icon — it resembles three lines with arrows — and select it to randomize playback.

If you are having trouble locating the button, make sure the playlist is fully loaded and you are not viewing a single video page. Return to the playlist view by pressing the back button on your remote, then look for the action menu again.

What happens when shuffle is on

When you set up shuffle, YouTube randomizes the order of all videos in the playlist and begins playing from a random starting point. The videos will continue to play in that shuffled order until playback ends or you manually stop it. If you pause and resume within the same session, the shuffled order remains the same.

If you close the app or stop playback completely and return to the playlist later, the shuffle order resets. The next time you open the playlist, the videos return to their original order unless you select shuffle again. This means shuffle is a temporary playback mode, not a permanent change to how your playlist is organized.

Turning shuffle off

To stop shuffling, open the playlist menu again while a video is playing and look for the shuffle button. On most devices, the button will appear highlighted or in a different color when shuffle is active. Select it again to turn shuffle off, and playback will return to the original playlist order starting with the next video.

Some TV remotes also allow you to access playback controls through a dedicated menu. If you cannot find the shuffle button in the playlist view, try pressing a menu or options button on your remote to see if shuffle controls appear there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do not I see a shuffle button in my playlist?

Make sure you are viewing the full playlist menu and not just a single video detail page. Scroll down or to the side to see all available options. If the button still does not appear, try closing and reopening the YouTube app, as the interface sometimes needs to refresh.

Does shuffle change my playlist permanently?

No. Shuffle only affects the playback order during that session. When you close the app or stop playback and return later, your playlist returns to its original order. You would need to select shuffle again to randomize it.

Can I shuffle a playlist that is not saved to my library?

Yes. You can shuffle any playlist on YouTube, whether it is one you created, one someone shared with you, or a public playlist. The shuffle button appears in the menu for any playlist you open.

What if shuffle is not working on my device?

Try restarting the YouTube app or restarting your TV device entirely. If the problem continues, check that your YouTube app is up to date by visiting your device's app store. Older versions of the app sometimes have missing or broken features.

Can I shuffle while a video is already playing?

On most devices, you can access the playlist menu while a video plays by pressing a menu button on your remote or swiping to reveal the playlist. From there, you can select shuffle to randomize the remaining videos in the queue.