YouTube TV stops working on your TV for a few common reasons: your internet connection dropped, the app needs an update, your account lost its sign-in, or the device itself needs a restart
Most of the time, YouTube TV on your TV works without thought. When it stops, the fix is usually straightforward—restart the app, restart the device, or check your internet. Sometimes the problem is on YouTube's end, not yours. This guide walks you through the most likely causes and what to do about each one, in the order you should try them.
Key Takeaways
- Restart the YouTube TV app first, then restart your TV or streaming device if the app restart does not work.
- Check that your internet connection is stable and fast enough—YouTube TV needs at least 3 Mbps for standard quality and 25 Mbps for 4K.
- Sign out and sign back into your YouTube TV account if the app loads but shows an error or will not play content.
- Update the YouTube TV app through your device's app store, because outdated versions often stop working after YouTube pushes a server update.
- If nothing works, check YouTube's status page or contact YouTube TV support, because the problem may be a service outage in your area.
Restart the app and your device in this order
Start here because this fixes most problems. Close YouTube TV completely—do not just press the back button. On most TV devices, highlight the YouTube TV app, press and hold the select button, and choose "Close" or "Force Close." Wait 10 seconds, then open YouTube TV again.
If that does not work, restart your TV or streaming device itself. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears the device's memory and resets its connection to your router. Wait for the device to fully boot up before opening YouTube TV again.
Verify your internet connection is strong enough
YouTube TV needs a stable connection. Open any other app that uses the internet—a weather app, a news app, anything—and see if it loads quickly. If it does not, your internet is the problem, not YouTube TV.
YouTube TV requires at least 3 Mbps read speed for standard definition video, 7 Mbps for HD, and 25 Mbps for 4K. If you have multiple people streaming at the same time, you need more speed. To check your speed, use a speed test app on your phone or computer while standing near your TV. If your speed is below what you need, move your router closer to your TV, restart your router (unplug it for 30 seconds), or contact your internet provider.
Sign out and sign back into your account
Sometimes YouTube TV loses your sign-in without telling you. Open YouTube TV, go to your account menu (usually a profile icon in the top corner), and select "Sign Out." Wait a few seconds, then sign back in with your email and password.
If you see an error message during sign-in, write down the exact error code or message. This helps YouTube TV support understand what went wrong. If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the sign-in screen to reset it through your email.
Update the YouTube TV app
Outdated apps often stop working after YouTube pushes a new server version. Open your device's app store—the Google Play Store on Android TV, the App Store on Apple TV, the Roku Channel Store on Roku, or the Samsung App Store on Samsung TVs. Search for YouTube TV, and if an "Update" button appears, tap it.
After the update finishes, close YouTube TV completely and open it again. Updates sometimes require a full restart of the app to take effect.
Check for service outages or account issues
YouTube TV occasionally has outages that affect some regions or devices. Visit the YouTube TV Help Center on a phone or computer and look for any posted outages. You can also check DownDetector, a third-party site that tracks service problems reported by users.
While you are there, log into your YouTube TV account on a web browser or phone app and make sure your subscription is still active. If your payment method expired or failed, YouTube TV will not let you watch on any device. Check your account settings under "Billing" to see if there is a payment problem.
Try YouTube TV on a different device
If you have another TV, phone, tablet, or computer, open YouTube TV on it and try to play a channel or show. If it works on the other device, the problem is specific to your TV or streaming device, not your account or internet. If it does not work on any device, the problem is your account or your internet connection.
This step tells you whether to troubleshoot your device or your account next. If YouTube TV works on your phone but not your TV, restart your TV again, check for app updates, and make sure your TV is connected to the same internet network as before.
When to contact YouTube TV support
If you have restarted your device, checked your internet speed, updated the app, and verified your account, and YouTube TV still will not work, contact YouTube TV support. Go to the YouTube TV Help Center on a computer, click "Contact Us," and choose your issue. You can chat with support or request a callback.
Have ready: the exact error message or code you see, the type of TV or device you are using, your internet speed (from a speed test), and whether YouTube TV works on other devices. This information helps support solve the problem faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does YouTube TV work on my phone but not my TV?
Your phone and TV are probably on different networks or your TV's app is outdated. Restart your TV, update the YouTube TV app, and make sure your TV is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone. If your TV is on a guest network or a different router, move it to your main network.
Does YouTube TV work without internet?
No. YouTube TV is a streaming service and requires an active internet connection at all times. It does not read shows to watch offline. If your internet goes out, YouTube TV will stop working until your connection comes back.
Why does YouTube TV say I am not authorized to watch?
This usually means your account lost its sign-in or your subscription expired. Sign out of YouTube TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and sign back in. If you see a message about your subscription, log into your account on a computer and check your billing information for a failed payment.
Can I use YouTube TV on an old TV without a smart TV app?
Not directly. Old TVs do not have YouTube TV built in. You need a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, or Android TV box connected to your TV's HDMI port. YouTube TV works on all of these devices.
What should I do if YouTube TV keeps freezing or buffering?
Freezing and buffering mean your internet is too slow or unstable. Run a speed test near your TV. If your speed is below 7 Mbps, restart your router, move it closer to your TV, or reduce the number of devices using your internet. If your speed is fine, restart your TV and the YouTube TV app.