Most of the time, YouTube offers uninterrupted video watching. However, even the world’s largest video streaming platform fails to deliver sometimes. In fact, many users report YouTube pausing issues on their devices. If you’re experiencing the same problem, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will help you understand why YouTube pauses videos and provide actionable tips for resolving the issue. Fear not; the problem is likely not as serious as it seems. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Why Does YouTube Keep Pausing?
If you’ve been on YouTube for a while, chances are you’ve experienced some kind of issue with the app at one time or another. Occasional video pausing is rarely a cause for concern. However, if the issue happens too often, the problem may need further investigation.
There are many reasons why your video may pause, from YouTube’s default settings or browser problems to outdated software or a slow internet connection.
Let’s take a more detailed look at the most common reasons for YouTube video pausing. After that, we’ll list the steps to help solve the issue regardless of the cause.
YouTube Default Settings
The principal reason your YouTube video may pause is that the Auto-Pause feature is set by default. This feature is designed to pause the videos if you’ve been inactive on the device for a while and prevent you from missing important details in the content you were watching.
If you’re trying to watch a YouTube video while cooking, working, or cleaning, the auto-pause feature can ruin the experience. While YouTube doesn’t give us the option to disable auto-pause, there are third-party solutions that we’ll cover below.
Network Issues
If you experience network disruption, your YouTube video may pause. Maybe the video is buffering, or there’s a temporary server error. YouTube’s in-built algorithm pauses the video every time there’s a network issue (excluding downloaded videos).
Browser Issues
Other than internet issues, certain browsers can cause YouTube to pause videos. There can be a glitch caused by the cookies or cache files, or some extensions may interrupt the video from loading properly.
YouTube Faults
As fantastic as YouTube is, it’s not entirely resistant to technical faults or bugs. If you’re sure there’s nothing wrong on your end, it’s worth checking YouTube’s Help Center or the Known Issues page for ongoing technical issues on the platform itself.
Remind Me to Take a Break Is On
Do you use YouTube’s latest “Remind Me to Take a Break” feature? If so, it may be one of the reasons why your video pauses at a certain time.
An Issue With Your Headphones
Some headphone/phone combinations have an auto-pause function if the YouTube app thinks you disconnected your earbuds. Pay close attention to when your video pauses. If you’re moving, your wireless headphones have low battery, or you have a faulty headphone jack, YouTube will pause.
How to Stop YouTube From Auto Pausing?
Now that we listed the most common reasons why a YouTube video may pause, it’s time to move to the main part – solving the issue.
Tweak YouTube Auto-Pause Settings
If YouTube pauses a video and asks if you want to “Continue watching?” then the Auto-pause feature is enabled.
You can turn this feature off by using an extension. There are plenty of options out there, and not all work for all browsers. For example, “AutoTube – YouTube nonstop” is available for Chrome and Firefox.
To install AutoTube on Chrome, follow the steps below:
- Download the AutoTube extension by clicking on “Add to Chrome.”
- Continue by clicking “Add extension.”
- The extension will install automatically, and you can watch YouTube videos without auto-pausing.
To install AutoTube on Firefox, follow the steps below:
- Go to AutoTube on Mozilla Addons.
- Click on “Add to Firefox,” then “Add.”
- The add-on will install and be active immediately.
The next time the “Continue watching?” tab appears, the extension will immediately resume the video.
If the auto-pause feature is not the problem, continue with the steps below.
Check Your Internet Connection
If you run into a playback issue with one video on YouTube, try playing another one. If it takes longer to load the page or the video buffers for longer than seems normal, you may have a connection issue.
You can run a speed test to verify your upload and download speeds. If your speeds are too low to support YouTube playback, try switching to mobile data, restarting your router, or contacting your ISP.
Clear YouTube Cache
YouTube cache stores some of your previously watched videos and loads them faster when you play them again. Too many videos in the cache can slow down the app, resulting in videos pausing too frequently.
Here’s how to clear the YouTube cache:
- Open the “Settings” page on your mobile device or browser.
- Find the “YouTube” app on your mobile device or navigate to “Storage and Memory” in the browser settings.
- Find the “Clear cache” option and apply it. Be careful not to select “Clear Data,” as this will remove all your YouTube data.
iOS users don’t have the option to clean an app’s cache. But, you can offload the app’s data, effectively clearing the cache. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings on your device and tap General.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap on the YouTube app.
- Tap Offload Data. Then confirm you’d like to offload the app’s data.
Offloading an app’s data won’t erase your login information or any other important data. After offloading, restart YouTube and try watching your video.
Disable Your Antivirus
Third-party apps or extensions can conflict with your YouTube service. If your antivirus software or other app perceives YouTube as a threat, it can prevent you from finishing the video. Shut down any software you believe may interfere with your YouTube experience, especially the antivirus program.
Turn Off the “Remind Me to Take a Break” Feature (Mobile App Only)
Follow the steps below to turn off this feature:
- Open the YouTube Mobile app and tap on your profile icon in the upper right corner.
- Navigate to YouTube settings.
- Head to the “General” section.
- Turn the “Remind me to take a break” option off.
If this is the issue, your YouTube videos won’t pause anymore.
Update the App
Does your YouTube app keep pausing videos even after you cleared the cache and rebooted the app? Make sure you’re running YouTube’s latest version. Just find YouTube under the “Apps” section in your phone settings and check if there’s an update available.
Disable Data Saver (Mobile App Only)
YouTube has a Data Saver feature that uses lower video quality and aims to reserve your mobile data to keep users from going over their mobile data allotment. These days, most carriers offer unlimited data plans. If YouTube keeps pausing, try disabling the Data Saver feature. Here’s how:
- Open the YouTube app and tap on the profile icon in the upper right corner.
- Tap on Settings.
- Tap on Data Saving.
- Toggle the switch next to Data Saving Mode, so it turns grey.
Now, try playing your videos again to see if the pausing stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep reading this section if you still have questions about YouTube.
Does YouTube have technical support?
Unfortunately, no. At least not in the traditional sense. There isn’t anyone you can call or chat with for help with technical issues. Users who are having problems with YouTube can visit the support page to submit feedback and read through help articles.
Can I play YouTube videos with my screen locked?
The company has taken great strides to ensure YouTube videos stop playing when you lock your phone, or the screen goes to sleep. Fortunately, as with most unpopular app features, there are workarounds and third-party services to help bypass certain restrictions.
If you want to play YouTube with your phone’s screen locked, check out this article.
Watch YouTube Without Interruptions
Having your YouTube video pause is never a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, it’s a relatively common issue. The good thing is that it’s easily solvable. Most often, the problem lies in the auto-pause feature, or your internet connection needs a double-check.
This article listed the most common reasons YouTube may pause your videos automatically and provided some easy fixes. If the auto-pause feature isn’t the problem and your YouTube video keeps pausing, it’s worth trying the alternative steps listed above.
Which method helped you solve the problem? Share your experiences in the comments below.
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There’s no “General” section.