Is YouTube down right now or is it just you? How to check and fix it

Videos won't load, the app spins forever, or you're stuck on "Something went wrong." You want to know if YouTube is broken or if your setup is.

In about 60 seconds you'll know which one it is, and you'll have a fix for your phone, computer, TV or network if the problem is on your end.

The short answer

Check Downdetector and TeamYouTube's account on X first. If lots of people are reporting the same problem, wait it out, because nothing you do at home will fix it.

If it's just you, force-close the app or browser, power-cycle the device for 30 seconds, and update YouTube. That clears most cases.

As of Sunday, November 1, 2026, people in the US, India and other countries are reporting YouTube problems. Most reports are about the app, server connections and video streaming. The outage trackers don't agree with each other, and no widespread US outage has been confirmed. TeamYouTube has acknowledged the reports and says a fix is in progress, with no timeline.

Before you start

Time: 1 minute to check for an outage, 5–15 minutes for the fixes.
What you need: a second device (any phone works) and access to your router.
Data risk: none. Clearing YouTube's cache or cookies doesn't touch your photos or files. On a browser, it will sign you out of some sites.

Step 1: Check whether YouTube is down for everyone

YouTube has no official public status page, and it usually doesn't announce outages. You'll need to piece it together yourself.

Open Downdetector and search YouTube. A sharp spike on the chart means a real outage.
Check StatusGator's YouTube page for current and recent incidents.
Look at the TeamYouTube account on X. That's YouTube's official support account, and it's where they post when they know about a problem.
Try YouTube on a second device on a different network. For example, use your phone on cellular data with Wi-Fi turned off.

If YouTube works on the second device, the problem is on your end. Keep reading. If it fails everywhere and the trackers are spiking, it's YouTube. Close the app and try again in an hour.

Outages have come up a lot lately. StatusGator logged several in October 2026 alone, including a roughly two-hour worldwide playback outage on October 28.

Step 2: Fix the YouTube app on your phone

iPhone

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause, then swipe the YouTube app away to close it.
Open the App Store, tap your profile picture, and update YouTube if an update is listed.
Restart the iPhone.
If it's still broken, press and hold the YouTube icon, tap Remove App → Delete App, then reinstall it from the App Store. Your subscriptions and history are stored in your Google account, so you won't lose them.

Android (Samsung or Pixel)

Close YouTube from the recent apps screen.
Clear the cache. On Pixel, go to Settings → Apps → See all apps → YouTube → Storage & cache → Clear cache. On Samsung, go to Settings → Apps → YouTube → Storage → Clear cache. Older Android versions put this under Apps & notifications.
Update YouTube in the Play Store.
Restart the phone.

A stale cache can hold a broken copy of the app's data. Clearing it makes YouTube download fresh data.

Step 3: Fix "Something went wrong" on youtube.com

This applies to Windows 11 and Mac. Google's own fix list for this error starts with ad blockers, so start there too.

Pause your ad blocker for youtube.com and reload. Google lists ad blockers as a known cause of this error.
Test in a private window. Press Ctrl+Shift+N in Chrome on Windows (Cmd+Shift+N on Mac) and open YouTube there. Private windows don't use your saved cookies, and extensions are usually off in them. If YouTube works there, an extension or cookie is the culprit.
Clear YouTube's cookies and cache.
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Delete browsing data (called Clear browsing data on older versions).
- Safari on Mac: Safari → Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data, search "youtube," then click Remove.
Update the browser. Google supports current Chrome, Firefox and Safari.
Close extra tabs, quit the browser and restart the computer.

If your computer is crawling in general, it may not be YouTube's fault at all. See why your computer is so slow.

Step 4: Fix YouTube on a smart TV, Roku or streaming stick

Press Home on the remote, then reopen YouTube.
Power-cycle the device. Unplug the TV or streaming stick from the wall for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Google calls this often the most effective fix for TV errors, because it clears memory that a simple off and on through the remote doesn't.
In the YouTube app, sign out and back in. You may need to enter a code on your phone.
Update the YouTube app and the TV's system software in the TV's settings menu.
Run a speed test on your phone while standing next to the TV. Google recommends at least 7 Mbps for HD and 20 Mbps for 4K.

To narrow down the problem, cast to the TV from your phone or plug in a laptop with an HDMI cable. If that plays fine, the TV's app is the problem, not your internet.

Still not working? Try these

Switch networks. Toggle from Wi-Fi to cellular, or the other way. If one works, the problem is your network, not the device.
Restart your router and modem. Unplug both for 30 seconds, plug the modem in first, then the router once the modem's lights settle. For ongoing Wi-Fi trouble, see why your Wi-Fi is so bad all of a sudden.
Check your DNS settings. DNS is the system that turns "youtube.com" into an address your device can reach. Google warns that other apps can change it without asking.
- Windows 11: go to Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) → Hardware properties, and confirm DNS server assignment is Automatic (DHCP) unless you set it yourself.
- Mac: go to System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details → DNS, and remove any servers you don't recognize.
Check for an internet outage. If nothing loads at all, see checking for an Optimum outage. The same steps work for any provider.

Keep it from happening again

Turn on automatic updates for the YouTube app and your TV's system software. Old app versions break first.
Unplug streaming devices once a month to clear out stuck memory.
Don't let random apps or "speed booster" tools change your DNS.
Running a lobby screen, training video or livestream for your business? Keep a downloaded copy of key videos on a USB drive or the local computer. That way a YouTube outage doesn't leave a blank screen at your Midtown front desk.

Quick answers

Why do likes and comments disappear but the video still plays? During service problems, YouTube can load a stripped-down "minimal" watch page. Reload, or try again later.

Does YouTube post outages anywhere official? Not on a status page. TeamYouTube on X is the closest thing, and trackers like Downdetector catch problems YouTube never confirms.

Will reinstalling the app delete my subscriptions or playlists? No. Those are saved to your Google account and come back when you sign in.

Sources

Still stuck? We'll sort it out

If YouTube works for everyone but you, an ITGoNYC tech can connect remotely, find the extension, DNS change or network problem causing it, and fix it while you watch. If the trouble is your router or a TV setup, we'll send a tech on-site. Call or text 347-549-9059 now for same-day help, or open a ticket.