How to update YouTube on your smart TV

YouTube updates automatically on most smart TVs if your device is connected to the internet and set to auto-update apps. You do not need to do anything — the update happens in the background, usually overnight or when the TV is idle. If you want to check for an update right now or force one to install, the steps depend on what kind of smart TV you own: Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, Fire TV, or Google TV each have different menus.

The fastest way is to open your TV's app store, find YouTube, and look for an "Update" button. If you see one, tap it. If you do not see an update button, YouTube is already current. Some TVs show the version number of YouTube in the app details — if you want to know whether a newer version exists, you can look up your current version number on YouTube's support site, though most people never need to do this.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube updates automatically on smart TVs when auto-update is turned on in your app store settings, so manual updates are usually not necessary.
  • To check for an update manually, open your TV's app store, search for YouTube, and tap the "Update" button if one appears next to the app name.
  • The app store location and name differ by TV brand — Samsung uses Galaxy Store, LG uses LG Content Store, Roku uses Roku Channel Store, and Fire TV uses Appstore.
  • Restarting your TV after an update completes ensures the new version loads correctly and fixes most playback problems.
  • If YouTube crashes or freezes after an update, clearing the app cache from your TV's settings often solves the problem without losing your account information.

Update YouTube on Samsung Smart TV

On Samsung TVs, YouTube lives in the Galaxy Store. Press the Home button on your remote, then navigate to Apps. Select Galaxy Store, then search for YouTube. When you find it, select the app and look at the top of the screen — if an "Update" button appears, tap it. If you only see "Open" or "Installed," the app is already current.

After the update finishes, press Home again and launch YouTube to confirm it loaded correctly. If the app is slow to start or shows an error, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This clears the TV's memory and often fixes temporary glitches after an update.

Update YouTube on LG Smart TV

LG smart TVs use the LG Content Store. Press the Home button, then select the LG Content Store icon (it looks like a shopping bag). Search for YouTube in the search bar at the top. When you find it, select the app — if an "Update" button is visible, tap it. The read and installation happen automatically.

Some LG TVs also allow you to turn on auto-update in the Content Store settings. Press the menu button, select Settings, then Apps, then Auto Update. Turning this on means YouTube and other apps update without you checking manually. After any update, wait a minute before opening YouTube to give the TV time to finish installing.

Update YouTube on Roku or Fire TV

Roku devices use the Roku Channel Store. Press Home on your remote, then select Streaming Channels. Search for YouTube, select it, and look for an "Update" option. If one appears, select it. Fire TV devices work similarly — press Home, go to Apps, search for YouTube, select it, and tap "Update" if the button is there.

Both Roku and Fire TV have auto-update turned on by default, so updates usually happen without you noticing. If you want to check the auto-update setting on Roku, go to Home, then Settings, then System, then System Update, then Auto Update. On Fire TV, go to Settings, then Applications, then Manage Installed Applications, then YouTube, and look for an auto-update toggle.

Update YouTube on Sony or Google TV

Sony TVs that run Google TV access the Google Play Store the same way. Press Home, then go to Apps. Search for YouTube and select it. If an "Update" button appears, tap it. Google TV devices (including some Sony models) automatically update apps when connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in, usually at night.

To check or change auto-update settings on Google TV, press Home, go to Settings, then Apps, then System Apps, then Google Play Store, then Auto-update Apps. You can choose to auto-update over Wi-Fi only or over any connection. After any update, YouTube should open normally within a few seconds — if it takes longer than 10 seconds or shows an error, restart the TV.

What to do if YouTube will not update or crashes after updating

If the "Update" button does not appear but YouTube is not working correctly, the app store may think an update is already in progress. Restart your TV completely — unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot before trying again. This clears temporary files that sometimes block updates.

If YouTube crashes, freezes, or plays video with no sound after an update, clear the app's cache. Go to your TV's Settings, find Apps or Applications, select YouTube, then select Storage or Clear Cache. This removes temporary files without deleting your login information or watch history. After clearing the cache, restart the TV and open YouTube again.

If YouTube still does not work after clearing the cache, uninstall and reinstall the app. Go to your app store, find YouTube, and select Uninstall. Then search for YouTube again and install it fresh. This takes a few minutes but fixes most problems that survive a cache clear. Your YouTube account will still be there when you sign back in.

Why YouTube updates and when to expect them

YouTube releases updates to fix bugs, add new features, and improve how the app works on different TV models. Updates are usually small and happen in the background — you may not notice them at all. Larger updates that add visible new features come less often, usually a few times per year.

Most smart TVs check for app updates once a day, usually at night when you are not using the TV. If auto-update is on, the new version downloads and installs automatically. If auto-update is off, the update waits in your app store until you tap the "Update" button. There is no penalty for waiting — older versions of YouTube continue to work, though you may miss new features or fixes for problems that only affect newer TV models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to update YouTube on my smart TV?

No. YouTube continues to work on older versions, and auto-update is usually on by default anyway. If you want the newest features and bug fixes, updating is worth doing, but it is not required. If an update is causing problems, you can uninstall it and reinstall the previous version by uninstalling YouTube completely and reinstalling it from your app store.

Why is YouTube not showing an update button even though I know a new version exists?

Your TV's app store may not have the update available yet for your specific model — updates roll out gradually to different TV brands and regions over a few weeks. Check back in a few days. If you have auto-update on, the update will install automatically once it reaches your TV. You can also check your TV's system software version to see if an OS update is pending, which sometimes needs to happen before app updates are available.

Will updating YouTube delete my watch history or sign me out?

No. Updates only change the app code, not your account data. Your watch history, subscriptions, and login stay exactly as they are. If you get signed out after an update, it is a glitch — just sign back in and your history will be there.

How long does a YouTube update take on a smart TV?

Most updates take two to five minutes to read and install, depending on your internet speed and TV model. Larger updates can take up to 10 minutes. During the update, you cannot use YouTube, but you can use other apps. After the update finishes, restart your TV to make sure the new version loads correctly.

What should I do if YouTube is slow or buggy after updating?

Restart your TV first — unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in. If that does not help, clear YouTube's cache by going to Settings, Apps, YouTube, then Storage or Clear Cache. If the problem continues, uninstall YouTube completely and reinstall it from your app store. These steps fix most problems without losing your account information.