Roku is one of the most prominent brands of streaming services and devices that allow you to watch online content on your TV. Roku has released many models of streaming players, sticks, and TVs, as well as its own operating system, interface, and channel store.
You may come across issues like YouTube keeps signing out on your Roku or your Roku gives you the buffering blues when you try to watch YouTube. Don’t waste any more time staring at a spinning circle! In this guide, we’ll tackle those pesky YouTube not working issues on Roku, getting you back to your favorite channels and videos in no time.
Why Is YouTube Not Working On Roku?
If YouTube TV is not working on your Roku, it could be due to internet connectivity issues. Ensure your internet connection is stable by running a speed test close to your Roku device.
Some of the possible reasons behind the YouTube app not working on Roku are as follows:
- YouTube servers are down: Sometimes, the problem is not with your Roku device or your internet connection, but with the YouTube servers themselves. If YouTube is experiencing a service outage or a technical issue, it may affect the YouTube app on Roku and prevent it from loading or playing videos.
- YouTube app is outdated: Another possible reason for the YouTube app not working on Roku is that the app is outdated and needs to be updated. Roku usually updates the apps automatically, but sometimes it may fail to do so or you may have disabled the automatic updates.
- Internet connection is slow or unstable: Another possible reason for the YouTube app not working on Roku is that your internet connection is too slow or unstable to stream videos. YouTube requires a minimum speed of 7 Mbps for HD videos and 25 Mbps for 4K videos. If your internet speed is lower than that, you may experience buffering, lagging, or freezing issues.
- YouTube app is corrupted or incompatible: Another possible reason for the YouTube app not working on Roku is that the app is corrupted or incompatible with your Roku device. This may happen due to a faulty installation, a software bug, or a compatibility issue.
How To Fix The YouTube App On Roku?
Internet connection is one of the main reasons for the YouTube app issues on your Roku. If the connection is slow or unstable, restart your router and modem. Below are the detailed solutions to fix the if the YouTube app not working or keeps singing out on Roku.
1. Restart the Device
Sometimes, a Simple Restart can solve many problems with streaming devices such as Roku and its apps.
Simple Restart
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Scroll down and select “Settings.”
- Choose “System” and then “System Restart.”
- Confirm by selecting “Restart.”
You can also use power cycle method to restart your device
Power Cycle Method
- Unplug your Roku device from the power source.
- Wait for about 10 seconds.
- Plug the device back in and turn it on.
2. Check YouTube Server Status
If the YouTube app is not loading or playing videos, it may be because the YouTube servers are down or experiencing issues. You can check the status of YouTube by using Downdetector or searching for “Is YouTube down” in your browser. If YouTube is down for everyone, you will have to wait until the service is restored. However, you probably won’t have to wait for long since such issues are quickly registered by YouTube’s maintenance team and fixed as soon as possible. You can also check in DownDetector.
Use DownDetector
- Go to the DownDetector website.
- Search for “YouTube.”
- Check if there are any reported outages.
3. Verify Internet Status
If your internet connection is slow or unstable, you may have trouble streaming videos on YouTube.
Test Network Connection on Roku
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Scroll down and select “Settings.”
- Choose “Network” and then “Check Connection.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to test your network connection.
Restart Your Router
- Unplug your router from the power source.
- Wait for about 30 seconds.
- Plug the router back in and wait for it to reconnect.
Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength
- Move your router closer to your Roku device.
- Remove any obstructions between the router and Roku.
- Consider using a Wi-Fi extender for better coverage.
4. Check YouTube Account Settings
If you are signed in to your YouTube account on your Roku device, you may want to check your account settings and preferences. You can do this by opening the YouTube app on your Roku device and going to Settings > Account. Here, you can check if you have any parental controls, restricted mode, playback quality, or other settings that may affect your YouTube experience. You can also sign out and sign in again to refresh your account information.
5. Clear Roku Cache
If your Roku has too much cached data, it’s best to clear it. Cache data is temporary info stored by Roku to boost its performance. Yet, excess cache can cause issues and slow down apps.
- Press the “Home button 5 times”, then the Up button, and the Rewind button twice, followed by the Fast Forward button twice.
- Navigate to “System Operations Menu.”
- Select “Clear Cache.”
- Wait for the process to complete.
Your Roku will take a few seconds to clear the cache and restart automatically.
6. Reinstall the YouTube App on Roku
You can uninstall and reinstall the YouTube app on your Roku device. To do this:
Remove the YouTube App
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Scroll to the YouTube app.
- Press the asterisk (*) button on your remote.
- Select “Remove channel” and confirm.
Follow the “Simple Restart” steps mentioned above.
Reinstall the YouTube App
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Select “Streaming Channels” from the menu.
- Search for “YouTube.”
- Select “Add Channel” to reinstall the app.
Also Read: How To Cancel YouTube TV Subscription?
7. Check for Updates
If none of the above steps work, you may want to check if there are any updates available for your Roku device’s operating system, system software, or other apps. Sometimes, outdated or incompatible software can cause conflicts and errors with the YouTube app.
Check for Updates
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Scroll down and select “Settings.”
- Choose “System” and then “System Update.”
- Select “Check Now” to look for updates.
Install Updates
- If updates are found, follow the prompts to download and install them.
- Your Roku will restart automatically after the update.
8. Disable VPN Service
If you are using a VPN service on your phone, tablet, or computer that is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku device, you may want to disable it temporarily. A VPN service can change your IP address and location, which may interfere with the YouTube app’s functionality and content availability. You can disable your VPN service by going to its settings and turning it off.
9. Factory Reset the Roku Device
If nothing else works out, you may want to try factory resetting your Roku device. This will erase all your personal settings, preferences, data, and channels from your device and restore it to its original state. However, this should be done as a last resort as you will lose all your customizations and have to set up everything again from scratch.
Performing a Factory Reset
To factory reset your Roku device
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Scroll down and select “Settings.”
- Choose “System” and then “Advanced System Settings.”
- Select “Factory Reset” and follow the on-screen instructions.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
10. Contact Roku Support
Lastly, if you are still facing problems with the YouTube app on Roku, you will have to contact Roku Support for further assistance. You can visit their official website or drop a mail to the support email address from the service, and you will be contacted by a professional regarding your problem.
Also Read:
- YouTube TV Plans And Cost
- How To Fix Sound Not Working In YouTube?
- How To Find Music in YouTube Videos?
- How To Record Audio From A YouTube Video?
- How To See And Edit Comments History On YouTube?
YouTube Not Working On Roku – FAQs
Ans: Youtube TV not loading on roku due to Internet issues, login problems, outdated Roku, or hardware malfunction may hinder YouTube TV on your Roku.
Ans: To restart YouTube on Roku, you can try the following steps:
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote to go to the main menu.
- Navigate to the YouTube app and press the Star button on your remote.
- Select Remove channel and confirm your choice.
- Go back to the Home screen and select Streaming channels.
- Search for YouTube and add the channel again.
- Launch the YouTube app and sign in with your account if needed.
This will restart the YouTube app on your Roku device and hopefully fix any issues you may have.
Ans: YouTube TV was removed from Roku due to a contract disagreement. After negotiations, it’s been restored, and users can now install and watch it as usual.
Ans: Check your username and password. Using incorrect credentials may signal a locked or canceled account. If you forgot your password, change it and try logging in again.
Conclusion
Today, we talked about Roku, a brand of streaming devices that allows you to watch online content on your TV. It is one of the best options today to turn your TV into a smart TV and enjoy tons of different streaming services as well as some of the exclusive content distributed on the Roku platform. We also discussed the common YouTube app problem that users face with Roku TV and how you can easily fix it. If you are not sure about any of the steps or instructions provided on this guide, you can reach us via the comment section below, and we can offer you additional help with your problem.
