Video Playback Error while streaming Youtube TV on your device? Tried playing different videos, but getting this error on all videos you watch on Youtube?
Youtube TV Playback Error is one of the most common streaming errors reported worldwide by youtube users and none of the devices are immune since it occurs no matter if you’re using YouTube on your Smart TV, Firestick, Roku, Apple TV, or Mac OS device.
The following guide will explain how you can easily fix this problem on your devices by following simple steps.
Table of Contents
What Is YouTube TV Playback ID Error?
About 79% of YouTube TV subscribers report video streaming errors, followed by problems with the actual app or log-in process.
Youtube TV Playback Error is a streaming error that appears when you try to stream a video through the YouTube app.
In YouTube playback errors, you may encounter freezing or buffering, as well as black screens or constant crashes.
Most Smart TV, Firestick, and Roku TV users experience this and although it isn’t a serious issue at the same time, it is annoying nonetheless.
There has been an increase in reports of Youtube TV Playback Errors over the past few years, with some years it peaks as reported by the Downdetector website.
Additionally, 9to5Google covered it last year when it peaked.
“There is an unknown error causing video playback on YouTube to error out for some users. The quality drops from a standard resolution such as 1080p or 720p to a lower quality before crashing entirely.”
Youtube TV twitter support team also reverted and confirmed the same.
Why am I getting Youtube TV Playback Error?
According to official reports by Youtube, users encounter this error mostly when the Youtube servers are down or a minor glitch has occurred.
Nevertheless, the server issue is understandable, as can be confirmed by visiting the server monitoring websites like downdetector.com.
In spite of this, the amount of issues reported by users on their devices when servers are good has been quite substantial, and that has led to an unsatisfying experience for those using Youtube TV.
The following are common devices where this error occurs:
- Smart TV
- Apple TV
- Firestick and FireTV Devices
- Roku
- Windows
- Mac OS etc
Occasionally, playback errors are specific and can prompt you to do something to resolve the issue – such as disconnecting your device or re-entering your credentials.
How To Fix Youtube TV Playback Error?
The first thing you need to do if you encounter this error is to make sure the Youtube servers are functioning normally. Then you can proceed to troubleshoot the issue if it is specific to your device.
The following guide will show you how to fix it for your devices.
Depending on which device is affected, you will have to follow the steps below to fix it.
Check Youtube Servers
The first step in resolving this issue is to determine whether or not YouTube’s servers are down or there is some outage.
Otherwise, you might end up attempting all the below steps without success.
Downdetector.com monitors all major streaming apps, websites, and services 24×7 throughout the year, so it’s helpful if we encounter such errors.
Here is the direct link to check Youtube TV server status: https://downdetector.com/status/youtube-tv/
You can proceed to the next steps if the servers are running well without any major issues
Restart the YouTube TV app
You may encounter the Youtube TV Playback Error in addition to server errors when your app has become glitched, and you will need to restart the app.
Many users reported that exiting the YouTube app worked for them. It’s true that this solved their issue for a while, but then the streaming stopped again.
It is possible to encounter errors like these when the temporary streaming settings get stored in the app and you frequently switch from one video to another. Restarting the app will clear all temporary settings.
Clear cookies and cache
In the event that restarting the device does not resolve the issue, there is a possibility that the app’s cache and cookies, which are stored to enable the app to function quickly, have been corrupted, and you need to clear these manually.
Regardless of the device you use, deleting the temporary files and other unwanted files once in a while is essential for any streaming service to function effectively.
The steps will vary slightly depending on your device, but they are simple, and you can clear all cache, cookies, and other stored data by going to settings > application > youtube tv > delete data.
Download all updates
Also, if you’re streaming on a device, make sure it’s running the latest firmware if you have it. That goes for the YouTube TV app as well as the operating system and browser you’re using.
It is highly possible that you will experience playback errors if you have either an outdated device or an outdated YouTube app.
Wrapping It Up
Even though Youtube TV Playback Errors are not severe, they can still affect our experience and I hope with this guide you will be able to fix it on your own devices.
It usually occurs when Youtube is experiencing an outage or issue with their servers, or when the device you are using has been conflicted and has minor glitches.
As a quick summary, here’s what you can do to prevent and fix the Youtube TV Playback error on your device.
- Restart App
- Power Cycle Device and Router Internet
- Clear App Cache and Cookies
- Updates Device and Youtube TV App
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Kazhiko Kuro is the Founder of StreamingStash.com. Over a span of 8+ years, He has tested, researched, and written hundreds of articles and guides on how to fix common issues with TVs, streaming media players, streaming services, and related devices. See our Editorial Guidelines and Content Integrity.
