YouTube Not Working on Roku: How to Fix in minutes

RobotPoweredHome is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my blog, I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I recently purchased the Roku streaming device for my bedroom TV. Not having a smart TV does not mean you cannot enjoy streaming media online.

I usually prefer accessing YouTube through Roku, instead of mirroring my mobile screen.

However, to my surprise, the YouTube app stopped working on my Roku recently.

I tried to fix it myself, but all my efforts were in vain. So I went online to research the possible solutions and finally I was able to launch YouTube.

The quickest solution to Youtube not working on Roku is to power cycle your Roku device. To do this, unplug the Roku device and wait for 15 seconds before plugging it back in. Now turn on your Roku and Youtube should start working on your Roku again.

However, there are other scenarios where it might take longer to get back your YouTube running normally on your Roku.

Before we get into that, here’s what you can start with.

Check if YouTube’s Servers are Down

Being one of the largest video content platforms, YouTube is still prone to server downtime.

However, in most cases, they do not take long to get back to normal as the problems on the server are quickly fixed.

One of the best ways of checking if the YouTube servers are down is to go through the social media handles YouTube where you can receive constant updates about the application.

Apart from this, you can also go to crowd-powered service monitoring websites that provide a live status of YouTube based on feedback received from people around the globe.

One such platform is downrightnow.com where you can check the server status of YouTube.

You can also go to downdetector.com to see if YouTube’s servers are down.

2021 Terms of Service Disagreement

Google requires you to agree to its Terms of Service to access its services including YouTube.

If you remember disagreeing with the agreement, it could be a possible reason behind your YouTube not working on Roku.

You might not want to agree to conditions mentioned in the agreement of Terms of Service, however, that’s the only way you can access the application.

Once you have made sure that you check the box and agree to the terms of Google, and it still doesn’t fix the problem you can move on to the next step below.

Restart your Roku Device

A firmware problem in your Roku device can lead to several issues including failure to launch apps.

However, an easy fix to problems on your Roku device can be performing a restart or power cycling the device.

Performing a restart on your Roku TV can fix errors in the YouTube app.

Here’s how you should power cycle your Roku device-

Turn off the Roku.
Now unplug the device from the power socket.
Wait for a few seconds before, plugging in your Roku.
Now turn on the device and complete the configuration setup.

Check your Wi-Fi Network

A poor network connection is the most common reason behind YouTube not working.

If your Roku is constantly reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network and fails to stay online, you should check your Wi-Fi network.

Inspecting your router should be the first step. Normally, a router that has an active internet connection should not blink any red LED lights.

If you notice a red light, it is a sign that your router is having trouble establishing an active network.

Check for Pending Updates on your Roku

Keeping your Roku software updated can resolve a ton of issues and improve your overall user experience.

It is essential to manually check for updates on your Roku, as the device does not automatically update itself at all times.

Here’s an easy way to check for pending system updates on your Roku

Using the remote, click on the Home button.
Now check for the Settings menu on top of your TV screen.
Click on the System option.
Here you will find the System Updates, click on it.

You can use the Check Now option to find pending updates on your Roku device.
Next, you’ll find an option named “Update Now”, if there are any pending updates.
Your Roku will install the latest updates and prepare to restart.

Following the update, your Youtube should start working normally again.

However, if you still cannot stream videos on Youtube, you can further move on to the next steps below.

Check your Internet Speed

Slower internet speeds can increase the loading time of YouTube. In some cases, you might not be able to launch the app or sign in to your account due to a slow internet connection.

Earlier, Roku displayed the speed of the internet in terms of Good, Bad, or Poor.

However, following an update, a feature has been added to measure the actual download speed.

There could be multiple reasons behind a slow internet connection. But before we get into that, you should test your internet speed by following the steps below.

Using the remote, go to the Roku Settings.
Now click on Network Settings.

The screen will now show an option to check the internet speed under Check connection.

Lower the Video Quality

There’s nothing better than watching a video on your TV in 4K or max resolution.

This get’s you a superior watching experience as even the smallest details of the picture get clearer.

Although this comes with longer buffering periods if you do not have extremely fast internet.

To solve this, you can change the resolution of the YouTube videos. Lowering the video quality can result in faster loading speeds.

You can change the quality of your video by clicking on the Settings button while your video is paused.

Inside the settings, you’ll find an option named “Quality” which will let you switch between higher and lower resolutions.

Reinstall the YouTube App

Reinstalling YouTube can be a quick way to fix bugs if you’ve already tried updating it.

At times, even the latest version of the app fails to work and needs workarounds to start working smoothly again.

To remove YouTube from Roku, go to the home screen and select the app from the list of channels.
Now you can press the * button on your Roku remote to view options.
Select “Remove Channel” following which YouTube will be removed.
Now you can reinstall the YouTube app by going to the “Streaming Channels” menu on the main screen.
Once you get there, try to search for free channels.
Upon finding the list, check for the YouTube channel and click it.
Now you can choose the “Add Channel” option to reinstall the Youtube App on Roku.

Try Installing the YouTube TV App

The YouTube TV app has been removed from the Roku Channel Store. Hence you cannot download the YouTube TV app anymore.

Users who have already downloaded the app before the delisting can still access it.

However, if you do not have the YouTube TV app, you can still use your mobile to cast the screen onto your TV and gain access to YouTube TV.

Troubleshoot YouTube Audio

There are chances that your YouTube video is working normally except for the audio.

You can try troubleshooting the YouTube audio by reinstalling the app, making sure the speakers are working normally, and to update the Roku firmware if available.

Audio sync issues on your Roku can be fixed by adjusting the video refresh properties under the menu that opens if you press the Star(*) button on your remote.

Factory Reset your Roku

Resetting the Roku device should be considered your last option in case the above methods do not fix your problem.

Here are the detailed steps to factory reset your Roku. Make sure your account details are backed up before you begin the reset process. To factory reset your Roku:

From the Home Screen, use the Roku remote to navigate to the Settings menu.
Select the System Settings and click on Advanced.

Now click on the Factory Reset option and follow the instructions on your screen to complete the process.

In some cases, while YouTube works, the Roku screen tends to flash black during playback, so if this is happening to you, we’ve got an article with soutions.

Contact Support

At present, there is no direct way of contacting the Support Team of YouTube for troubleshooting application issues.

However, you can choose to browse the Help Center page of Youtube.

Conclusion

Getting your YouTube up and running normally again should not take a huge amount of time if you follow all the steps mentioned above correctly.

Small bugs are often fixed quickly and you might be able to stream the content on YouTube again without worrying about a crash.

However, making necessary changes and performing workarounds can make sure your device is not going through issues that cannot be fixed by YouTube itself.

For example, a hardware problem restricting the sound from YouTube or other applications might take some extra hours to fix.

Make sure that your speakers are working normally under other applications as well before you begin the troubleshooting steps for YouTube.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I restart YouTube on Roku?

You can restart the YouTube application by closing it down. Now go to the Home Screen of your RokuTV and start the YouTube application again.

How do I update YouTube on my TV?

You can update the YouTube app on your TV by opening the Google Play Store and searching for the YouTube app. Now click on “Update” and the latest version of YouTube will be downloaded on your device.

Why is my Roku not letting me download apps?

Firmware bugs or low storage space are the two main reasons why Roku stops you from downloading new apps.

Why is my Roku TV not downloading channels?

RokuTV might not let you download new channels due to a poor internet connection or a low storage capacity.

How do you clear the cache on a Roku TV?

You can restart your Roku TV to clear the cache.