How To Fix YouTube Not Working On Roku?

Is your Roku giving 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 issues on your Roku, getting you back to your favorite channels and videos in no time.

We’ll explore a range of solutions, from simple restarts to more in-depth fixes. Whether you’re a tech whiz or a casual streamer, we’ll break it down step-by-step so you can follow along easily. No more frustration –  we’ll have you navigating YouTube on your Roku like a pro in no time. So grab your remote, ditch the buffering blues, and let’s get your Roku and YouTube functioning flawlessly!

What Is Roku?

Roku is one of the most prominent brands of streaming services and devices that allow you to watch online content on your TV.

Roku was released back in 2002 by the inventor of the DVR, Anthony Wood. In 2008, Roku took over and launched its first streaming device, the Roku DVP. Since then, Roku has released many models of streaming players, sticks, and TVs, as well as its own operating system, interface, and channel store. Right now, there are a wide range of services and options that you get with Roku TV such as:

• Roku Channel Store: This is where you can find and add streaming apps and channels to your Roku device. There are more than 10,000 channels available, including popular ones like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max. You can also find free channels, live TV channels, news channels, sports channels, music channels, and more.
• Roku Remote: This is the remote control that comes with most Roku devices. It has a few buttons for navigation, playback, volume, power, and voice search. Some remotes also have shortcut buttons for specific channels or apps. You can also use the Roku mobile app as a remote control for your Roku device.
• Roku Voice: This is the voice control feature that lets you use your voice to search for content, launch channels, control playback, and more. You can use the microphone button on your Roku remote or the Roku mobile app to activate Roku Voice. You can also use voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to control your Roku device with compatible smart speakers or displays.
• Roku Search: This is the universal search feature that lets you find content across multiple streaming apps and channels. You can search by title, actor, director, genre, or keyword. You can also see the availability and price of the content on different services.
• The Roku Channel: This is Roku’s own streaming channel that offers free and premium content. You can watch thousands of movies and shows for free with ads, or subscribe to premium services like Starz, Showtime, or Epix within the channel. You can also access live TV channels, news channels, sports channels, kids channels, and more.
• Roku Originals: These are original movies and shows produced by Roku or acquired from other sources. They are exclusive to The Roku Channel and available for free with ads. Some of the popular Roku Originals are Die Hart, #FreeRayshawn, Reno 911! , Dummy, and Chrissy’s Court.

Reasons Behind YouTube App Not Working On Roku

Even though Roku service has a pretty good reputation, there are times when Roku users struggle with some common problems.

There can be problems with a certain service such as YouTube on Roku TV even though the rest of the options are working. This is because each service or app on Roku has its own software and settings that may not be compatible with the Roku device or the internet connection. 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?

Now that you are aware of what can cause the YouTube app to not work properly on your Roku device, you can try out the solutions provided below to attempt to resolve the problem. These solutions have worked out pretty well for a lot of users and you may also benefit from these options. But, make sure you try out all of the solutions and follow the steps provided without skipping any crucial points.

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.

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.

YouTube Not Working On Roku – FAQs

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.