Downloaded YouTube Videos Won't Play: Easy Fixes

YouTube is a treasury filled with helpful and entertaining content. You can find anything from tutorials to learning channels, all the way up to entertaining videos, within one platform. You may even wish to download your favorite videos to play them without an internet connection. However, what if you can’t play your favorite downloaded YouTube videos? If you are currently experiencing this issue, we come to the rescue. We will explain why your downloaded videos aren’t playing and help you solve this problem.

Why Downloaded YouTube Videos Aren’t Playing?

Numerous reasons may lead to you being unable to play your downloaded YouTube videos, such as:

These are the most common issues you may experience with your downloaded files.

How to Fix YouTube Download Videos Not Playing on a Computer?

If you’ve downloaded a YouTube video on your computer, you can try the solutions below to fix the playback issue.

Fix 1: Use Wondershare Repairit (Desktop Repair)

One of the best ways to repair your videos and make them as good as new is to use a third-party software solution like Wondershare Repairit. This tool covers numerous corruption and video damage scenarios, meaning you can fix any video, no matter the issue.

The best part is the Advanced Repair to enhance video and sound quality. You will get a new, better video if you use this option.

Here’s how to repair your downloaded videos from YouTube using Wondershare Repairit:

Step 1: Download the tool from the official source and start the program.

Step 2: Click Add and choose the video you want to repair. You can also drag and drop your video into the program.

Step 3: After adding your videos, click Repair.

Step 4: Preview the file once the program fixes it to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Step 5: Click Save and choose where to store your video.

Another beneficial feature of this software is that you can repair multiple videos simultaneously. Thus, this tool is the way to go if you need to fix a few downloaded YouTube videos.

You can always use the online option if you don’t want to download the tool. Head to the official website and use the online platform to solve the playback issue.

Fix 2: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

If cache and cookies accumulate on your browser, they may affect its performance, leading to poorer download quality. Your browser may be unable to meet your requests, leaving you with a downloaded YouTube video that isn’t playing correctly. Here’s how to fix this issue:

Step 1: If you use Google Chrome, open your browser and click the three-dot icon in the upper right section.

Step 2: Head to History , then select History again.

Step 3: Click Clear browsing data.

Step 4: You can choose the time range if needed. Click Clear Data to finish the process.

Apple users can follow this guide to clear cache and cookies in the Safari browser:

Step 5: Open Safari and head to History.

Step 6: Select Clear History at the bottom of the drop-down menu.

Step 7: Choose the timeframe and click Clear History.

Fix 3: Update Graphics Drivers

Sometimes, the reason you can’t play downloaded YouTube videos hides in the graphics driver. If the driver is outdated, it may cause lags and playback issues. Thus, update the driver by following the steps below:

Step 1: Open Device Manager.

Step 2: Expand Display Adapters and right-click your GPU.

Step 3: Click Update driver.

Mac devices will update the graphics driver through system updates (more on that shortly).

Fix 4: Use a Different Media Player

The media player you use may not support downloaded videos from YouTube. Before trying more complex solutions, install another media player on your computer to check if it causes the issue. You can try several different applications to ensure they aren’t the problem.

Fix 5: Update Your OS

Outdated operating systems can often cause random issues, such as the inability to play your videos or open specific apps. Ensure your operating system is up to date to avoid possible problems. Here’s how to update your OS if you have a Windows device:

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Type Updates in the search bar and click Check for updates.

Step 3: Click Check for updates again.

Step 4: Install the new version if available.

Mac users can update their graphics drivers and operating systems simultaneously. To do so, follow this guide:

Step 1: Choose System Settings in the Apple menu.

Step 2: Navigate to General > Software Updates.

Step 3: Install an update if available.

Fix 6: Turn off Hardware Acceleration

Although turning on hardware acceleration may sound like a good idea, the feature may only sometimes be beneficial. For instance, it can significantly impact video quality or prevent you from playing downloaded YouTube videos. To fix that, turn off hardware acceleration by following these steps:

Step 1: Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select Display settings.

Step 2: Click Advanced display settings in the next window.

Step 3: Click the Display adapter properties for Display 1.

Step 4: Navigate to the Troubleshoot tab in the dialog box.

Step 5: Click Change settings.

Step 6: Find Hardware Acceleration and move the bar to the left (None).

Step 7: Click OK.

Fix 7: Convert Files to a Different Format

The most common reason your downloaded YouTube videos won’t play on your computer is because your PC doesn’t support the format. In this case, you must convert the files into a compatible format and watch the magic happen.

There are no built-in format conversion features, meaning you will need a helping hand with this method. You can use free tools like Wondershare UniConverter to transform your videos.

How to Fix YouTube Downloaded Videos Not Playing on a Smartphone

If you can’t play a downloaded YouTube video on your smartphone, check out some of the best solutions below.

Fix 1: Update Your OS

Using the latest version of your phone’s operating system is essential for the best performance and experience. If you don’t regularly update your phone, it may slow down or even affect your security.

Another issue an outdated OS can cause is the inability to play downloaded YouTube videos. Thus, follow these steps to update your Android operating system:

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Head to About phone.

Step 3: Tap Check for updates.

Step 4: You will see an Update button if an update is available. Tap it to finish the process.

If you use an Apple device, you can update your OS by following the steps below:

Step 5: Head to Settings > General.

Step 6: Click Software Update.

Step 7: You will see an update option if an update is available. Tap Download and Install to finish the process.

Fix 2: Reinstall Your Video App

The application you use to play downloaded YouTube videos may not work. Before suspecting more complex issues, uninstall and reinstall your video app. You can also try other applications to ensure the file is causing the problem.

Fix 3: Check Battery Settings

Most smartphones today have advanced, battery-saving features you can customize. For instance, if your battery is running low, you can use a power-saving mode to make your phone last as long as possible.

However, when this feature is on, your phone’s performance will significantly decrease, and you may be unable to play your favorite videos. Thus, check the settings to ensure you haven’t activated the power-saving option. You can do that by following the steps below:

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Head to Battery.

Step 3: Find the Power Saving Mode and check if it’s on. If it is, turn it off by toggling the switch.

If you are an iPhone user, you can check this option by following these steps:

Step 1: Head to Settings > Battery.

Step 2: Scroll down until you find the Low Battery mode. If it is enabled, turn it off.

Fix 4: Restart Your Phone

Minor issues may lead to you being unable to play downloaded videos. In most cases, a quick phone restart should do the trick and make your videos playable again. Therefore, restart your device before considering more significant software issues or logical errors. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Long-press the Power button.

Step 2: Tap Restart or drag the slider.

If you are an iPhone user, you can follow this guide to restart your device:

Step 1: Long-press the Power button.

Step 2: Drag the slider on the Power off screen.

Step 3: Turn your phone back on after a few seconds.

Conclusion

YouTube offers some of the best content on the internet. You can learn from it, watch entertaining videos, and listen to your favorite jams on the go. Sometimes, you may even download videos you love so you can watch them without an internet connection. However, things may go sideways, and you may be unable to play your downloaded files.

If so, you have come to the right place. We have presented some of the best solutions to the playback issue that will get your videos up and running again. If you encounter more significant problems, we recommend using Wondershare Repairit since it can restore your video to its former glory.