How to Fix YouTube Not Working on Roku Problem With Easy Fixes

If YouTube is still not working on Roku, you need to ensure that the YouTube servers aren’t down.

It doesn’t happen that often anymore, but it’s always possible. You can also check YouTube on other devices, like your smartphone or laptop, to see if it’s down there as well.

You can only wait for the servers to come back online in this case. Follow the platform on social media, like Twitter, and they might let you know when YouTube will be available again. Downdetector is another good place to look for updates.

If the site isn’t down, you can use the following methods to troubleshoot YouTube not working on your Roku device.

If your router isn’t working correctly, it causes YouTube issues on your Roku device. Check your smartphone or other Wi-Fi enabled devices at home.

If they’re not connecting, the router isn’t running as well as it should.

Plug the router back in after unplugging it for a few minutes. it will take a few more minutes to reset completely, but it should help Roku run YouTube.

Slow connections can make it very difficult for the device to stream video footage to your TV.

You can run an internet connection test if this doesn’t work. For a better connection, you may also need to move your router closer to your Roku.

Your internet service provider’s customer service line is the place to call if you continue to have problems with your internet connection.

Your Roku can run into many issues if the software isn’t up to date. Check for any Roku OS updates in the settings menu to correct this problem.

Press the Home button on your remote to get to settings, then scroll up or down until you see System.

Select System, then go to System Update.

To stay up to date with the latest software, make sure you update your Roku frequently. In this way, you can ensure that your Roku device will always be compatible with the YouTube app.

You should also check for updates to the YouTube app while you’re at it. Older versions might not work with your current Roku OS.

If none of the above fixes worked, you’d want to try reinstalling the YouTube app.

Find your YouTube app on the Roku home screen. Hit the asterisk “*” button on your remote to open the Channel Menu.

Note: You should only remove the YouTube app, not the YouTube TV app. For more information, please see my section regarding YouTube TV and Roku below. YouTube TV cannot be reinstalled on your Roku TV if you remove it.

After you’ve done that, the Remove Channel button should appear. Wait for it to be uninstalled from your device after clicking OK.

After you turn off your Roku, turn it back on again. From here, you can return back to the Streaming Channels section and install YouTube again.

You should play some videos right away to see how it works. Hopefully, this fix worked for you! Continue with the rest of the fixes if the app is constantly loading and buffering.

YouTube TV is designed for streaming devices such as Roku.

You can install it on your device by heading to the Streaming Channels tab and searching for it. The app will appear on your homepage once you tap Add Channel.

Note: You won’t be able to add the YouTube TV app to your Roku TV until the contract dispute is resolved. Click here for more details.

YouTube TV runs much better than the YouTube mobile app for many people. There aren’t many differences between the two when using your Roku, but you can still enjoy all of your favorite YouTube content.

However, you may also access YouTube TV right from your regular app, depending on what Roku you’re currently using.

In April 2021, YouTube and Roku contract negotiations broke down, and ultimately Roku terminated the deal.

In essence, this means that Roku users who already had the YouTube TV app installed before April of this year will be fine, and the app should continue to work.

You won’t be able to download the YouTube TV app after April 2021 if you’re one of the unlucky ones.

YouTube added a new feature that allows users to access YouTube TV from the YouTube app as a workaround.

Download the YouTube app (instead of the YouTube TV app) to your Roku TV, and you should be able to access YouTube TV from there.

Roku and YouTube are still in negotiations, so hopefully, they will come to an agreement soon!

TIP: If you’re having trouble using the YouTube app on your Roku TV, try casting YouTube TV from your mobile device instead. It should get you by until a deal is finalized.

If the videos aren’t loading correctly or are spending much time buffering, you’ll want to lower the streaming quality.

The bandwidth requirement of high-resolution videos might be too much for your internet to handle.

On the Roku home page, select the settings menu to lower the video quality. From there, you should find the Display Type section—drop the resolution settings to 720p.

Consider using “Auto Detect” so the device automatically changes the resolution. Lowering the settings often helps reduce video buffering.