Watching YouTube videos on the big screen is one of the best parts of owning a smart TV. Samsung's line of smart TVs comes pre-installed with the YouTube app, allowing you to access all your favorite YouTube content directly on your TV. However, sometimes the YouTube app stops working on Samsung smart TVs, displaying error messages like "This video is not available" or just getting stuck on the loading screen.
In this article, we will cover the major reasons why Youtube is not working on samsung TV and provide the top 8 troubleshooting tips to fix the problem.
In this article
Part 1: Why YouTube Does Not Work on Samsung TV: Common Issues
YouTube is not working on samsung tv? There can be several reasons why the YouTube app fails to work properly on your Samsung TV.
- YouTube server issues: If YouTube is facing an outage or server issues, the app will fail to load or play videos on your Samsung TV too. This is a temporary issue from YouTube's side.
- Software compatibility issues: If your Samsung TV's software is outdated or the YouTube app has compatibility issues with your TV model, it can prevent videos from loading.
- Network connectivity problems: Issues with your home internet network, like weak Wi-Fi signals or disconnections, can interrupt the YouTube app on your TV.
- App performance problems: Glitches with the YouTube app itself like freezing, lagging, and signing out can stop videos from playing as intended.
Part 2: YouTube Not Working in Samsung TV? Hers’s How
If you are facing issues with YouTube on your Samsung smart TV, don't panic. Here are some of the best solutions to fix the “YouTube app on Samsung TV not working” issue.
#1 Check YouTube Server Status
Before you troubleshoot anything on your end, it’s worth checking whether YouTube's servers are up and running. Server outages are not uncommon on YouTube, which causes the app to display error messages across devices globally.
To check the real-time status of YouTube, visit the YouTube Server Status page on DownDetector.com. If you see any service degradation or outage alerts for YouTube, that means they are facing server issues on their end. All you can do is wait for YouTube to fix the problems and bring the servers back online. Keep checking the status page until the errors are resolved.
However, if YouTube's services appear normal, the problem likely lies with your Samsung TV settings and network connection. So, move on to the next solutions below.
#2 Check Samsung TV Compatibility
One common reason for YouTube not working in Samsung Smart TV is device compatibility.
To avoid such conflicts, you need to ensure you are running the latest Samsung TV software that has full support and optimization for the YouTube app.
Go to Settings > Support > Software Update and check for any pending firmware updates for your TV. Install the latest Samsung TV software update available. This will upgrade the OS and device drivers to their most recent stable version.
Also, double-check that your Samsung TV model supports the YouTube app. Most modern Samsung TV lineups like QLED, The Frame, and Crystal UHD models come with built-in YouTube support. However, some older models may need the app to be sideloaded manually.
#3 Check Network Connection
Often, YouTube fails to work on Samsung smart TVs due to network connection problems. A slow internet connection or weak Wi-Fi signal can disrupt video streaming.
Here are some tips to fix network troubles:
- Move your router closer to your Samsung TV for a better Wi-Fi signal. Remove anything blocking the path between them.
- Restart your home Wi-Fi router and modem (if separate devices). This refreshes the connections.
- Run an internet speed test on your TV’s browser. Your internet download and upload speeds should be at least 15-20 Mbps for smooth 4K streaming. Contact your ISP if required.
- Change the Wi-Fi channel on your router if there is too much interference.
After performing these network troubleshooting steps, test YouTube to see if connectivity is restored.
#4 Re-install the YouTube App
Re-installing the YouTube app often helps resolve any software bugs that may be interfering with video playback.
To reinstall YouTube, go to Home > Apps > Manage Apps. Look for the YouTube app, select it, and choose “Reinstall”. This will reinstall the app from your Samsung TV.
With the fresh app reinstallation, YouTube errors should disappear in most instances.
#5 Unlock YouTube
Tizen OS, the operating system found in Samsung TVs, includes a locking feature intended to prevent children from accessing specific apps on the television. It's possible that someone has locked the YouTube app on your Samsung TV, resulting in its unavailability.
Even if you attempt to reinstall YouTube using the previously mentioned method, the system will still prompt you to enter a PIN to unlock the app. Once you have obtained the 4-digit PIN, follow the steps below to access it:
Step 1: Navigate to the Apps menu on your Samsung TV (refer to the instructions provided above for guidance).
Step 2: Select the Settings icon located at the top.
Step 3: If YouTube is protected by a PIN, you will observe a small lock icon within the app.
Step 4: Open the app, input the PIN, and resume using YouTube as usual.
#6 Enable auto-update settings
Another probable cause for YouTube issues is having an outdated version of the app. If auto-updates are disabled, your Samsung TV will not install the latest YouTube fixes and patches.
To enable auto-updating apps to fix the YouTube is not working on samsung TV, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > General > System Manager > Auto Update
- Turn on Auto Update for apps.
This will ensure your Samsung TV always installs the newest version of the YouTube app. And you get to benefit from the latest bug fixes.
#7 Use Device Care
Slow app performance and crashes can also disrupt YouTube playback on Samsung TVs. ‘Device Care’ helps optimize your TV by clearing data and shutting down background processes.
Follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > General > System Manager > Device Care
- Select Clean Now to clear temporary files and system junk
- Check the Optimization Report and take action if needed
- Restart your TV after device care
Doing regular device care improves sluggishness caused by performance issues. Try playing YouTube videos after optimization to see if it fixes video buffering problems.
#8 Update Tizen OS
If your Samsung TV is still running an older Tizen OS version, updating to the latest Samsung TV firmware can help. Newer OS builds incorporate YouTube app improvements for better compatibility.
Here is how to update your TV software:
- Go to Settings > Support > Software Update
- Check for any pending OS updates and install them
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation
- Restart your TV and check if YouTube works fine after the firmware update
This will upgrade the core Samsung TV software and drivers. Apps like YouTube will perform better in the latest OS environment.
Part 3: Repair Corrupted or Damaged YouTube Videos with Wondershare Repairit
If the YouTube videos themselves are corrupted or damaged and won't play properly on your Samsung TV, Wondershare Repairit tool can help fix the video files.
Repairit's advanced video repair engine can fix various corruption issues like
- Black Screen Videos - Repair videos that only show a black screen and no picture.
- Frozen Frames - Fix videos stuck on one frame throughout playback.
- Video Rotation Issues - Resolve incorrect video orientation or rotation problems.
- Video Compression Errors - Repair distorted videos due to codec/compression issues.
- Missing Audio Track - Restore audio in videos with no sound.
- Video Pixelation Issues - Fix blurry, pixelated videos with poor quality.
- Corrupted Downloads - Repair partially downloaded or interrupted YouTube videos.
- Software Incompatibility - Fix format issues making video unplayable.
Repairit uses powerful AI technology to analyze video corruption and repair the files quickly. It supports MP4, MOV, M4V, and other common formats.
So, if your YouTube videos themselves are damaged, try using Repairit Video Repair tool to fix the corrupt files before playing them on your Samsung TV.
Here are the steps to fix corrupted or damaged YouTube videos using the Repairit video repair tool:
Step 1: Launch the app. Click on the “Add” button in the Import Video module and add the damaged or corrupted YouTube video files you want to fix.
Step 2: Click the “Repair” button. The video repair engine will start fixing the corrupt videos. This may take some time depending on size and damage.
Step 3: Preview the repaired videos to check video and audio quality. Ensure corruptions like black screen, freezes, pixelation, etc are fixed.
Step 4: Finally, save the repaired and playable videos to your computer.
You can now transfer the fixed YouTube videos to your Samsung TV via USB or HDMI to play them smoothly.
Try Repairit if you have damaged YouTube video files that need repairing before you can enjoy them on your Samsung television.
Conclusion
YouTube is one of the most popular apps on Samsung smart TVs for enjoying video content on the big screen. But sometimes YouTube fails to work and displays playback errors for various reasons. Fixing the YouTube is not working on Samsung TV issue involves basic troubleshooting like checking server status, and network connection, reinstalling the app, or updating TV software/firmware.
We hope these 8 solutions help you resolve the YouTube not working problems on your Samsung TV.
FAQ
Q1. Why does YouTube keep buffering on my Samsung TV?
There are a few reasons you may experience constant buffering and interruptions when playing YouTube videos on a Samsung TV. Buffering can be caused by weak internet, outdated TV software, too many apps running, video quality set too high, or YouTube server issues.Q2. How do I sign out and re-login to YouTube on Samsung Smart TV?
If you're having account issues on YouTube on your Samsung TV, try signing out and back in. Open YouTube, click your profile icon and choose "Sign out". Open YouTube again, click "Sign in" and put in your Google account details to sign back in. This can help with problems like not being able to see subscriptions or getting errors.