Getting the YouTube Playback Error? Try this

You were enjoying your favorite YouTube playlist, but suddenly it shows a playback error. Does this scenario sound familiar? If so, worry not – this is a common issue that’s relatively easy to fix.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about playback errors on YouTube.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error?

Fixing a YouTube playback error involves similar steps across all devices. Most of the time, you can solve the issue by refreshing the YouTube video page or checking on your internet connection. But sometimes, the solution is not as simple. That’s why we’re going to provide you with different methods to apply across all devices.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error on Windows?

Here are a few methods that can help if you’re a Windows user. Feel free to try or skip any of these, depending on the problem you’re experiencing.

1. Re-Open Your Browser Tabs

It might sound silly, but this technique helps more often than not. Close your current YouTube tab by holding Ctrl + W keys on your keyboard, then re-open it by pressing Ctrl + Shift + T. Alternatively, try refreshing the tab.

2. Clear Your Cookies and Cache

There’s always a chance some temporary file is in the way of your smooth streaming experience. Make sure to clear the cache, cookies, and temporary files from your browser.

Tip: If you don’t want to delete all files, try deleting cookies for YouTube only.

3. Use Google Chrome

Switch to Chrome if you’re using another browser. It’s no secret that YouTube runs more smoothly on Chrome as it’s now a Google product.

4. Adjust YouTube Video Quality

If your internet connection is slow and the video resolution is manually set to high, this might result in a playback error due to continuous loading. Try lowering the video quality one step at a time.

5. Check for Issues on Google Servers

Visit Downdetector to verify whether other users have been experiencing the same issue at the moment.

6. Make Sure Your Browser Runs on the Latest Version

Maybe you missed an important browser update that results in occasional glitches when playing YouTube videos.

7. Restart Your PC

Try restarting your computer to check whether it will solve the playback error issue. A fresh new start is usually helpful with all the minor problems.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error on Mac?

1. Close and Open Your Browser Tab Again

Start with the most straightforward technique: close and re-open the tab with the YouTube playback error. To do so in a blink of an eye, just hold Command + W keys to close the tab, then re-open with Command + Shift + T. Alternatively, you can refresh the tab.

2. Restart Your Browser

You can apply this step next if restarting the specific YouTube tab didn’t work.

3. Adjust YouTube Video Quality

If your internet connection is slow and the video resolution is manually set too high, it might result in a playback error. Try lowering the video quality one step at a time.

4. Check if It’s a Global Problem

If you keep receiving the playback error with no trace of your internet connection being down, the problem might be coming from the other side. You can visit Downdetector to check whether other users have been reporting the same problem.

5. Clear Your Cookies and Cache

Clear the cache, cookies, and temporary files from your browser – maybe an unwanted temporary file got in the way. Alternatively, you can try cleaning the cookies for YouTube only.

6. Restart Your Mac

Give your Mac a fresh new boot and re-open the YouTube video.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error on iPhone?

1. Restart the App.

An easy fix to the YouTube playback error is simply going back to your home screen and closing the YouTube app from the multitasking menu. Then open the app once again.

2. Clear Cookies and Cache

Try clearing the cache, cookies, and temporary files from your browser. Maybe there’s an unwanted temporary file interfering with your YouTube video streaming.

Tip: If you don’t want to delete all these files, try deleting cookies for YouTube only.

3. Use Google Chrome

Try loading your video from Chrome in case you’re using Safari or other browsers. YouTube runs best on Chrome since it’s Google’s product.

4. Adjust the YouTube Video Quality

Set the video quality for that specific YouTube video to the lowest. If this helps, it means your internet connection is slow, and you should check in with your internet provider or restart your router.

5. Update Your App

Make sure you’re running the latest YouTube or browser app to avoid glitches, including this one.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error on Android?

1. Restart Your YouTube App

Simply close the app from the multitasking menu and re-run it. Play the same video (or any other for that matter) to check if the issue is fixed.

2. Switch From Browser to App and Vice Versa

If you watched the video in the browser, switch to the YouTube app, and vice versa. This will help you identify if the problem was in one of the two. Then simply close and re-open the app that was causing the problem. Ideally, use Google Chrome to watch YouTube videos on Android.

3. Clear Your Browser’s Cookies and Cache

Maybe there’s a random file that stops you from accessing a certain YouTube video. Try cleaning the cookies, cache, and temporary files from your browser.

4. Adjust the Video Quality

It could be that your internet connection is slow, and it’s having a hard time loading the video. Try reducing its video quality to the lowest setting to see whether this was the cause of the issue.

5. Run the Latest Browser or YouTube App Version.

Doing so will help avoid some issues that might arise due to outdated app versions – including the YouTube playback error.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error on Chrome?

Here are some of the most common (and simple) steps to take if you get a playback error on Chrome:

1. Reload your YouTube video.
2. Try closing tabs in case there are too many.
3. Restart Chrome.
4. Restart your router.
   
5. Restart your PC.
   
6. Make sure your browser runs on the latest version.
7. Delete the “YouTube Flash Video Player 57.0” extension if you have it.
8. Disable AdBlock.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error on Safari?

Try these easy fixes to solve your YouTube playback error on Safari:

1. Make sure you’re running the latest browser version. You can install Safari from the Mac App Store.
2. Check on your internet connection. Restart your router or modem.
   
3. Disable the Safari plugins you’re using. Launch Safari > Preferences > Security, then uncheck the “Allow Plug-ins” box.
   
4. Enable JavaScript. Here’s how you can do so: Go to Settings > Show Advanced Settings > Privacy section > Content Settings. When you reach JavaScript, select the “Allow sites to run JavaScript” option, hit “OK,” and refresh Safari.
   
5. Adjust your YouTube video quality in the bottom right-hand corner of the video (The settings gear > Quality).
   
6. Try playing the video in another browser (preferably Chrome).
7. Try watching the video in the Safe Mode.
8. Remove your history, cache, and cookies. Alternatively, only delete YouTube cookies.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error on TV?

If you see a YouTube playback issue on your TV, the first thing you should do is try loading another video. If this doesn’t help, try the following:

1. Exit and re-open your YouTube app on the TV.
2. Check for app updates – make sure you’re running YouTube on its latest version.
3. Reinstall the YouTube TV app.
4. Reboot your TV and try playing the video again.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error on Apple TV?

1. Force close the YouTube app and start it again. Alternatively, force close all apps running at the time.
2. Make sure you’re not missing any YouTube or Apple TV updates.
3. Check on your internet connection.
4. Reinstall your Apple TV YouTube app.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error on Roku?

Here’s what you can do if you get a playback error on Roku:

1. Go to “Display type” settings and turn off HDR. Here’s how to do so: Settings > Display type > and choose the 4K 30 (or 60) Hz TV or 4K HDR 60 Hz option.
2. Restart your Roku player. Settings > System > System restart.
3. Restart your Roku TV. Settings > System > Power > System restart.
4. Power cycle your Roku.
5. Remove and add YouTube TV to Roku.

How to Fix a YouTube Playback Error on Chromecast?

1. Restart the YouTube app.
2. Perform a hard restart on your Chromecast.
3. Make sure you’re running the latest Chromecast and YouTube version.

How to Fix Choppy Video Playback on YouTube?

There are multiple reasons why your YouTube video can be choppy. Most likely, the problem will be due to one of the three causes below:

• Slow internet connection
• Hardware problem
• Web browser problem

In response, there are a couple of solutions you can try:

1. Switch to another web browser and play the video again.
2. Play your video when it’s wholly buffered. Maybe your internet connection is slow, and this will help run the video smoothly.
3. Drop the video quality. Click on the gear icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the YouTube video and reduce the quality gradually.
   
4. For Android and iPhone: Try switching from the browser to the YouTube app and vice versa.
5. Download the video to your PC or Mac. If you’re really into the concert or video and want to watch it now, simply download it to your computer to watch without interruptions.

Additional FAQs

Here are some more questions to help you better understand common YouTube playback errors.

What Does Playback Error Mean?

If you received a YouTube playback error while watching a video, it most likely means a browser or internet connection got in the way. Not having a stable internet connection can cause your browser to be laggy, affecting how YouTube works. Fortunately, there are tons of easy fixes for this issue, many of which are provided in this article.

What Is Playback ID Error in YouTube?

Playback ID error is a common error that appears across devices for many users worldwide. Some of the most common issues that cause this problem include:

• Corrupted files inside the browser

• Modified network connection

• Automatic DNS

• DNS data that was badly cached

Mostly, the solution to this issue lies in reinstalling browsers, restarting your router, and flushing your DNS cache.

Why Can’t I Stream Videos?

Here are some of the most probable reasons why you can’t stream a video on YouTube:

1. Your internet connection is poor.

2. Your live stream got blocked globally.

3. You’ve reached a daily limit. In this case, you can try again in 24 hours.

4. You don’t have access to streaming. You can check this here.

5. You have less than 1,000 subscribers. However, this is only valid for streaming on mobile. You should be able to stream through your computer in case you didn’t pass the 1,000 subscribers milestone yet.

Winning the YouTube Playback Error Battle

Having to stop watching your favorite YouTube video due to an error is undoubtedly an unpleasant experience – but we’ve all been there. Fortunately, two things are in your favor – it’s an easy fix, and there are plenty of helpful methods to solve it. We’ve provided you with the ones that are sure to work, whether there was just a glitch in the browser or on your device.

Which method helped you solve the YouTube playback error? Do you run into this issue often? Share your experiences in the comments section below.