Key Takeaways
- If you’re having issues with the YouTube TV app, try closing and restarting the app or browser. If that doesn’t work, restart your device. If either is out-of-date, you might have to update your app and device to avoid compatibility issues.
- Next, check if you have internet connectivity and review your location permissions and the number of devices streaming simultaneously.
- You can also reduce your broadcast delay/video resolution to minimize buffering.
YouTube TV gives you the best of both worlds: access to more than 100 channels without the hassle of contracts and hidden fees that your cable provider might tack on to your charges. The only limitation is that if YouTube TV is down, you’ll likely have to troubleshoot and fix the issue yourself (as opposed to being able to call the cable guy). To make this easier for you, I’ve whipped up a list of fixes that might come in handy if you ever face issues with the platform.
1. Close and Restart the App or Browser
Sometimes, the easiest fix is the most effective. If you’re having trouble accessing content on YouTube TV when using your phone or tablet, kill the app and relaunch it. When you do this, check that the app isn’t running in the background on your Android device or iPhone.
Alternatively, if you’re streaming through your laptop or computer, close the browser and restart it. Sometimes, streaming errors are caused by temporary glitches, and killing the app or browser and restarting either will usually resolve the underlying issue.
2. Restart Your Device
If killing the app or browser and restarting doesn’t work, or if you’re trying to access YouTube TV through your TV, I recommend going one step further and restarting the device. This means you’ll have to fully turn off your phone, tablet, laptop, or TV, wait a couple of minutes, and power it back up.
Now, ensure you’re connected to the internet and try accessing YouTube TV again. If this doesn’t work, check whether you can stream content via other apps on your streaming device. If other apps are also throwing up issues, this might point to a larger issue with the device itself. In this case, it’s best to perform a factory reset or, as a last resort, reach out to the manufacturer for support.
3. Look for App and Device Updates
If auto-updates aren’t turned on, you might have to manually update the YouTube TV app. An out-of-date app can cause all kinds of glitches, which might affect your ability to stream content through it.
In my case, my YouTube TV app was up-to-date, but the device I was using to stream needed an OS update. This didn’t take much time, and I could stream content normally through the app after the update finished. The process can vary slightly between devices, so check what you need to do to successfully update your iPhone or iPad, Android device, or TV before you get started.
4. Check if You Have Internet Connectivity
If you have sporadic Wi-Fi connectivity, this will affect your ability to stream content via YouTube TV. Restarting your router and modem might help. If it doesn’t, contact your ISP for a resolution. Alternatively, the problem could be that your internet plan isn’t fast enough to stream live television.
Google recommends having an internet connection with a speed of at least 3 Mbps for optimal streaming. If you test your internet speed and find that it is lower than this, you might want to switch to a better plan. I’ve also found that I have better Wi-Fi speeds in select areas of my house. Moving to these areas will often improve my streaming experience without having to do anything too drastic.
5. Check Your Location Permissions
The kind of content you can watch on YouTube TV depends on your location. When you sign up for YouTube TV, you’ll have to key in your home zip code and even provide access to your device’s location permissions so YouTube TV can stream the right content for you. If you’ve recently moved and are trying to stream local content, you’ll want to check whether your home zip code and the current playback area match by navigating to your account settings.
If they’re not the same, change them immediately to access local channels. You can change your home zip code twice a year, but you’ll have to be physically present at the location to do so. That said, keep in mind that if you’re in a different country that doesn’t have access to YouTube TV, you likely won’t be able to stream content until you return to an eligible location.
6. Reduce Broadcast Delay or Video Resolution
Broadcast delay refers to the delay between the camera at the event capturing the footage and the time it takes to appear on the screen. This usually only happens during live events. It’s safe to say that the lower the broadcast delay, the more likely you are to experience issues with the playback on YouTube TV. Combined with issues like network congestion, app/browser issues, or spotty Wi-Fi connectivity, your feed might be further delayed or even interrupted entirely.
The good news is that you can delay the broadcast through the YouTube app on your smart TV. All you need to do is launch your app, tap the three-dot menu, and select Broadcast Delay. You can then select Decrease or Default. What this does is create a gap between the capture of the live event and when you get to see it on your screen, allowing for more buffering time and reducing the chances of any interruptions in the feed. If you’re streaming through your laptop instead, where you don’t see this option, reduce the video resolution to minimize buffering.
7. Make Sure Too Many Devices Aren’t Streaming at the Same Time
If you’re subscribed to the base version of YouTube TV, keep in mind that only three devices can stream content at a time. Even if you’re watching the same content on your smartphone and laptop, that counts as two devices. So, if you have multiple people on your plan trying to access the platform, some of you might have trouble streaming if you exceed the device limit.
To keep this from happening, make sure you let people know about the device limitations before you share your login credentials with them. During popular events, communicate with your friends, family, or housemates to coordinate viewing times so no more than three devices are streaming at a time.
YouTube TV offers a wealth of features that make it a pretty viable alternative if you’re thinking of cutting the cord. But before you go cable-free, make sure you’re aware of everything there is to know about the platform, so you can make the most of the perks.
