How to Fix YouTube Playback Error (11 Solutions)

YouTube is one of the most popular and widely used platforms for watching and sharing videos online. However, sometimes you may encounter a frustrating error message that says “Playback error. Tap to retry” or “An error occurred. Please try again later” when you try to watch a video on YouTube. This error can prevent you from enjoying your favourite content and can ruin your viewing experience.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to fix this error and get back to watching YouTube videos without any issues. In this article, we will show you 11 solutions that can help you resolve the YouTube playback error on various devices, such as your computer, smartphone, tablet, smart TV, streaming device, or game console. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about this error and provide you with some useful tips and tricks.

Key Takeaway

The YouTube playback error is a common issue that can be caused by various factors, such as internet connection, device settings, app or browser issues, video restrictions, or corrupted files.
You can try to fix this error by refreshing the page or opening the video again, checking your internet connection and network hardware, disabling ad blockers and extensions, restarting your browser or app, clearing your cache and cookies, running the app with admin rights, updating Windows or your device’s firmware, changing the audio format, reinstalling the app or Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages, fixing any corrupt system files, or using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions.
If none of these solutions works for you, you can contact YouTube support or report the issue on their official forum.

How to Fix YouTube Playback Error on Computer

If you are seeing the YouTube playback error on your computer, whether it is a Windows PC or a Mac, you can try the following solutions:

Solution 1: Refresh the Page or Open the Video Again

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most effective one. If you encounter a YouTube playback error on your computer browser, you can try to refresh the page by pressing F5 on Windows or Command+R on Mac. This will reload the video and may fix any temporary glitches that caused the error.

Alternatively, you can close the tab where you are watching the video and open a new one. Then, go to YouTube and search for the video again. You can also find it in your YouTube history under Library > History. This will ensure that you are loading the latest version of the video and not a cached one.

Solution 2: Check Your Internet Connection and Network Hardware

Another common cause of the YouTube playback error is a poor or unstable internet connection. To watch YouTube videos smoothly and without buffering or freezing, you need a fast and reliable internet connection. You can check your internet speed by using an online tool like Speedtest.net or Fast.com. The table below shows the approximate speeds recommended to play each video resolution on YouTube:

Video Resolution	Recommended sustained speed
4K	20 Mbps
HD 1080p	5 Mbps
HD 720p	2.5 Mbps
SD 480p	1.1 Mbps
SD 360p	0.7 Mbps

If your internet speed is lower than the recommended one for the video resolution you are watching, you may experience playback issues. You can try to lower the video quality by clicking on the gear icon at the bottom right corner of the video player and selecting a lower resolution. You can also pause the video and let it buffer for a while before resuming it.

If your internet speed is sufficient but you still see the YouTube playback error, you may have a problem with your network hardware, such as your modem or router. You can try to restart these devices by unplugging them from the power source and plugging them back in after a few seconds. This will reset them and may resolve any connectivity issues.

You should also check if there are any other devices on your network that are using up bandwidth, such as other computers, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, etc. If there are too many devices on your network, they may slow down your internet speed and affect your YouTube playback. You can try to disconnect some of these devices or use them for less bandwidth-intensive activities.

Another thing you can do is disable your VPN if you are using one. A VPN can help you access geo-restricted content on YouTube, but it can also slow down your internet speed and cause playback issues. You can try to switch to another VPN server or turn off your VPN altogether and see if that fixes the error.

If you are an Apple iCloud+ user³, you may also want to try turning off iCloud Private Relay⁴, which is a feature that encrypts and anonymizes your web traffic. While this feature can enhance your privacy and security, it can also interfere with some websites and services, including YouTube. You can turn off iCloud Private Relay by going to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Private Relay and toggling it off.

Solution 3: Disable Ad Blockers and Extensions

If you are using an ad blocker or any other browser extension that modifies or enhances your YouTube viewing experience, such as a YouTube video downloader, a dark mode enabler, a video speed controller, etc., you may want to disable them and see if that solves the YouTube playback error. Some of these extensions may block or interfere with the video player or the ads that YouTube displays, causing the error to appear.

To disable your browser extensions, you can follow these steps:

On Google Chrome, click on the three-dot icon at the top right corner of the browser window and select More Tools> Extensions. Then, toggle off the extensions that you want to disable or click on the Remove button to uninstall them.
On Mozilla Firefox, click on the three-bar icon at the top right corner of the browser window and select Add-ons. Then, click on Extensions and disable or remove the extensions that you want to disable or uninstall.
On Microsoft Edge, click on the three-dot icon at the top right corner of the browser window and select Extensions. Then, toggle off the extensions that you want to disable or click on the Uninstall button to remove them.
On Safari, click on Safari at the top left corner of the screen and select Preferences. Then, click on Extensions and uncheck the extensions that you want to disable or click on the Uninstall button to remove them.

After disabling your browser extensions, reload the YouTube page and try to play the video again. If the error is gone, you can try to enable your extensions one by one and see which one is causing the problem. You can then keep it disabled or look for an alternative extension that does not cause playback issues.

Solution 4: Restart Your Browser (or Go Incognito) and Clear Your Cache and Cookies

Sometimes, your browser itself may be the source of the YouTube playback error. This can happen if your browser is outdated, corrupted, or overloaded with too many tabs or processes. To fix this, you can try to restart your browser by closing it completely and opening it again. You can also use Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on Mac to see if there are any leftover browser processes running in the background and end them.

Another way to troubleshoot your browser is to use its private browsing or incognito mode. This mode allows you to browse the web without saving any history, cache, cookies, or other data. This can help you isolate the problem and see if it is caused by any of these factors. To open a private browsing or incognito window, you can follow these steps:

On Google Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac.
On Mozilla Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Command+Shift+P on Mac.
On Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac.
On Safari, press Command+Shift+N on Mac.

Once you have opened a private browsing or incognito window, go to YouTube and try to play the video that was giving you the error. If it works fine, then you may have a problem with your browser’s cache or cookies. These are temporary files that your browser stores to improve your browsing experience, but they can also accumulate over time and cause issues.

To clear your browser’s cache and cookies, you can follow these steps:

On Google Chrome, press Ctrl+H on Windows or Command+Y on Mac to open the History page. Then, click on Clear browsing data on the left sidebar. Under the Basic tab, check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Then, click on Clear data.
On Mozilla Firefox, press Ctrl+H on Windows or Command+Y on Mac to open the History page. Then, click on Clear Recent History. Under the Time range to clear, select Everything. Then, check the boxes for Cookies and Cache. Then, click on OK.
On Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl+H on Windows or Command+Y on Mac to open the History page. Then, click on Clear browsing data on the left sidebar. Under Time range, select All time. Then, check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Then, click on Clear Now.
On Safari, click on Safari at the top left corner of the screen and select Preferences. Then, click on Privacy and then Manage Website Data. Then, click on Remove All and then Remove Now.

After clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, reload the YouTube page and try to play the video again. If it still does not work, you may have a problem with your browser or app settings, such as the audio format, the admin rights, or the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages. To fix this, you can try the following solutions:

Solution 5: Run the App with Admin Rights

If you are using the YouTube app on your Windows PC, you may need to run it with administrator rights to avoid any playback errors. This can help you resolve any permission issues that may prevent the app from accessing certain files or resources. To run the YouTube app with admin rights, you can follow these steps:

Right-click on the YouTube app icon on your desktop or the Start menu and select Properties.
Click on the Compatibility tab and check the box for Run this program as an administrator.
Click on Apply and then OK.
Launch the YouTube app and try to play the video again.

Solution 6: Update Windows or Your Device’s Firmware

Sometimes, the YouTube playback error can be caused by outdated or incompatible software on your device. To fix this, you can try to update your Windows operating system or your device’s firmware to the latest version. This can help you improve your device’s performance and security, as well as fix any bugs or glitches that may affect YouTube playback. To update your Windows or your device’s firmware, you can follow these steps:

On Windows 10, click on the Start button and select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Then, click on Check for updates and install any available updates.
On Mac, click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences > Software Update. Then, click on Update Now and install any available updates.
On Android, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. Then, tap on Check for update and install any available updates.
On iOS, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Then, tap on Download and Install and install any available updates.
On smart TVs, streaming devices, or game consoles, check the manufacturer’s website or user manual for instructions on how to update your device’s firmware.

After updating your Windows or your device’s firmware, restart your device and try to play the video again.

Solution 7: Change the Audio Format

Another possible cause of the YouTube playback error is an incompatible audio format. Some YouTube videos may use a different audio format than your device’s default one, which can cause playback issues. To fix this, you can try to change your device’s audio format to match the video. To change your device’s audio format, you can follow these steps:

On Windows 10, right-click on the speaker icon at the bottom right corner of the screen and select Sounds.
Click on the Playback tab and select your default audio device (usually Speakers or Headphones).
Click on Properties and then click on the Advanced tab.
Under Default Format, select a different audio format from the drop-down menu (such as 16-bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality) or 24-bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality)).
Click on Apply and then OK.
Restart your browser or app and try to play the video again.

Note: You may need to try different audio formats until you find one that works for you.

Solution 8: Reinstall the App or Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Packages

If none of the above solutions works for you, you may need to reinstall the YouTube app or the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages on your device. These are software components that are required for running some YouTube videos. If they are corrupted or missing, they can cause playback errors. To reinstall them, you can follow these steps:

To reinstall the YouTube app on Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features. Then, find YouTube in the list of apps and click on Uninstall. Then, go to Microsoft Store and search for YouTube. Then, click on Get and install the app again.
To reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages on Windows 10, go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Then, find Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable in the list of programs and click on Uninstall. Then, go to Microsoft Download Center and download and install the latest version of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages for your system type (x86 or x64).
To reinstall the YouTube app or Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages on other devices, check the manufacturer’s website or user manual for instructions.

After reinstalling them, restart your device and try to play the video again.

How to Fix YouTube Playback Error on Smartphone

If you are seeing the YouTube playback error on your smartphone, whether it is an Android phone or an iPhone, you can try the following solutions:

Solution 9: Restart Your Phone

The first thing you should do when you encounter any problem with your phone is to restart it. This can help you clear any temporary cache or memory issues that may affect YouTube playback. To restart your phone, you can follow these steps:

On Android, press and hold the Power button until a menu appears. Then, tap on Restart or Power off and then Power on.
On iPhone, press and hold the Power button and either Volume button until a slider appears. Then, drag the slider to turn off your phone. Then, press and hold the Power button again until the Apple logo appears.

After restarting your phone, try to play the video again.

Solution 10: Check Your Mobile Data Connection

Another common cause of the YouTube playback error on your smartphone is a poor or unstable mobile data connection. To watch YouTube videos smoothly and without buffering or freezing, you need a fast and reliable mobile data connection. You can check your mobile data speed by using an online tool like Speedtest.net or Fast.com. The table below shows the approximate speeds recommended to play each video resolution on YouTube:

Video Resolution	Recommended sustained speed
4K	20 Mbps
HD 1080p	5 Mbps
HD 720p	2.5 Mbps
SD 480p	1.1 Mbps
SD 360p	0.7 Mbps

If your mobile data speed is lower than the recommended one for the video resolution you are watching, you may experience playback issues. You can try to lower the video quality by tapping on the three-dot icon at the top right corner of the video player and selecting a lower resolution. You can also pause the video and let it buffer for a while before resuming it.

If your mobile data speed is sufficient but you still see the YouTube playback error, you may have a problem with your mobile network provider or your phone’s settings. You can try to switch to another mobile network provider or use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data if possible. You can also try to enable or disable Airplane mode on your phone to reset your mobile data connection.

Solution 11: Clear Your App’s Cache and Data

Sometimes, your YouTube app may be the source of the playback error. This can happen if your app is outdated, corrupted, or overloaded with too much cache or data. To fix this, you can try to clear your app’s cache and data and update it to the latest version. This can help you improve your app’s performance and security, as well as fix any bugs or glitches that may affect YouTube playback. To clear your app’s cache and data and update it, you can follow these steps:

On Android, go to Settings > Apps > YouTube. Then, tap on Storage and then Clear cache. Then, tap on Clear data and then OK.
On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > YouTube. Then, tap on Offload App and then Offload App again. Then, tap on Reinstall App.
To update your app, go to Google Play Store or App Store and search for YouTube. Then, tap on Update and install the latest version of the app.

After clearing your app’s cache and data and updating it, try to play the video again.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about how to fix YouTube playback errors:

Q: Why do I get a playback error on YouTube?

A: There are many possible reasons why you may get a playback error on YouTube, such as:

A poor or unstable internet connection
A problem with your device’s settings or software
A problem with your browser’s settings or extensions
A problem with the YouTube app’s settings or cache
A problem with the video itself, such as geo-restrictions or corrupted files

Q: How do I fix a playback error on YouTube?

A: Depending on the cause of the error, you can try different solutions to fix it, such as:

Refreshing the page or opening the video again
Checking your internet connection and network hardware
Disabling ad blockers and extensions
Restarting your browser or app
Clearing your cache and cookies
Running the app with admin rights
Updating Windows or your device’s firmware
Changing the audio format
Reinstalling the app or Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages
Fixing any corrupt system files
Using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions

Q: How do I fix a playback error on YouTube TV?

A: If you are using YouTube TV, which is a live TV streaming service that lets you watch live TV from major broadcast and popular cable networks, you may encounter some playback errors as well. To fix them, you can try some of these solutions:

Check if there are any known issues with YouTube TV by visiting their Help Center or Twitter account.
Check if there are any issues with your local channels by visiting their websites or social media accounts.
Check if there are any issues with your internet service provider or your network hardware and try to restart them if needed.
Adjust your video quality settings by tapping on the three-dot icon at the top right corner of the video player and selecting a lower resolution.
Restart your YouTube TV app by closing it completely and opening it again.
Clear your YouTube TV app’s cache and data by following the steps in Solution 11 above.
Update your YouTube TV app to the latest version by following the steps in Solution 11 above.
Contact YouTube TV support or report the issue on their official forum if none of the above solutions work.

Q: How do I fix a playback error on YouTube Music?

A: If you are using YouTube Music, which is a music streaming service that lets you listen to official songs, albums, playlists, artist radio, and more, you may encounter some playback errors as well. To fix them, you can try some of these solutions:

Check if there are any known issues with YouTube Music by visiting their Help Center or Twitter account.
Check if there are any issues with your internet connection or your network hardware and try to restart them if needed.
Restart your YouTube Music app by closing it completely and opening it again.
Clear your YouTube Music app’s cache and data by following the steps in Solution 11 above.
Update your YouTube Music app to the latest version by following the steps in Solution 11 above.
Contact YouTube Music support or report the issue on their official forum if none of the above solutions work.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you learn how to fix YouTube playback errors on various devices. By following the solutions we have provided, you should be able to enjoy your favourite YouTube videos without any issues. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!