While there’s no native YouTube app for Windows or Mac, you’re limited to using it in a browser. So, you can use Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari to access it. However, that isn’t as smooth as one would expect. Sometimes, YouTube stops working on Chrome, or the browser stops responding randomly.
Multiple factors are affecting the YouTube experience on Google Chrome. Let’s discuss the most common ones first and then move to the advanced troubleshooting fixes.
1. Check Internet Speed
YouTube allows you to stream videos in up to 4K resolution. These crisp videos will require a significant internet bandwidth. You can use the tools like Speedtest or Fast.com and make sure you have at least 25 Mbps speed.
Pro tip: Modern Wi-Fi routers these days support both the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. For the best experience, try to connect your device to the 5.0GHz frequency.
2. Use YouTube In Incognito Mode
Sometimes, the YouTube issue might not be from YouTube or Chrome. YouTube not working properly might be associated with your Google account.
Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu icon at the upper right corner. Select Incognito mode from the following menu to open a fresh tab. Then, start browsing YouTube privately.
3. Check YouTube Servers
If the YouTube servers are having a hard day, none of the tricks from the post will work to resolve the issue for you. Go to Downdetector and search for YouTube. If you notice a heavy spike of recent outrage, you have no option but to wait for Google to fix the issue.
4. Disable Ad Blockers
An ad blocker might be interfering with the YouTube playback on Google Chrome. You can pause the Ad blocker on the YouTube platform or, even better, turn it off entirely from the Chrome Settings menu. Go through the steps below.
Step 1: Open Google Chrome, tap on the three-dot menu at the top.
Step 2: Navigate to More tools > Extensions.
Step 3: It will open the Extension menu. Tap on the Remove button beside the potential problematic extension to erase it from the browser.
5. Clear Cache and Cookies from Google Chrome
A corrupted cache also makes Chrome act up randomly. It’s almost always safe to clear the cache, so there’s no reason not to try it.
If there is overburdened browsing data in your Google Chrome, cleaning it might give the browser new wheels. Although, the sites might load a bit slow initially to gather new data.
Step 1: Open Google Chrome, tap on the three-dot menu at the top.
Step 2: Navigate to More tools > Clear browsing data.
Step 3: Go to Advanced and select Cache and Cookies files to delete from the following menu.
Then relaunch the Google Chrome browser and inspect if problems with YouTube have been fixed or not.
6. Enable JavaScript
If JavaScript is disabled in the Chrome browser, enable it for smooth video playback. Go through the steps below.
Step 1: Open Chrome, tap on the three-dot menu at the upper right corner, and select Settings.
Step 2: Use the search bar at the top and type JavaScript.
Step 3: Find the option under the Content menu.
Step 4: Click on JavaScript and make sure it’s enabled from the following menu.
7. Turn off Hardware Acceleration
The hardware acceleration feature in Chrome can sometimes prevent videos from playing.
Step 1: Open Chrome, tap on the three-dot menu at the upper right corner, and select Settings.
Step 2: Use the search bar at the top and type hardware acceleration.
Step 3: Disable the option from the search suggestions.
Go ahead and try the YouTube playback again in the Chrome browser.
8. Update Graphics Drivers
Updating graphics drivers might troubleshoot the YouTube not working on Chrome issue for you. Go through the steps below.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Device Manager.
Step 2: Open the Device Manager and look for Display adapters.
Step 3: Under the Display adapters, you will find the graphics drivers on the device.
Step 4: Right-click on it and select Update Driver.
Windows OS will automatically find and install the latest graphics drivers on the device.
9. Use Google Chrome Alternatives
If you are still facing YouTube not working on Google Chrome, it’s time to look for Chrome alternatives. We recommend going with Microsoft Edge or Firefox to play YouTube videos without any glitch.
Start Using YouTube on Chrome
YouTube is a go-to video platform for many for different purposes. So when it doesn’t work on Chrome, you might want to fix it. Go through the steps above and troubleshoot the YouTube not working on the Chrome issue. While you are at it, do let us know which trick worked for you in the comments section below.
Next up: Are you getting too many notification spam from Google Chrome? Read the post to learn how to turn off notifications from Google Chrome.
