Status check
Is YouTube Down? How to Check Right Now
Is YouTube down? Check YouTube on Downdetector for a spike in reports, then look at the TeamYouTube account on X for official updates. If both look normal, YouTube is working, and the fixes below will help.
Updated
YouTube status: there is no official page
YouTube down right now: four quick checks
- Downdetector: a tall spike in the last hour.
- TeamYouTube on X: posts about known problems.
- X search: "YouTube down," sorted by Latest.
- Another video: if only one fails, it is that video.
Our Downdetector YouTube guide explains the chart and outage map.
Is YouTube down or just me? Test three screens
Try YouTube on your phone, your TV, and a web browser. The pattern points to the cause.
| Phone app | TV app | Browser | Likely cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works | Works | Fails | Your browser: an extension or old cache |
| Works | Fails | Works | The TV app: update or reinstall it |
| Fails | Fails | Fails | YouTube or your home internet |
If everything fails, open another site. If nothing loads, your internet is down. More tests: down for everyone or just me.
How to fix YouTube when it is only you
In a browser
- Try a private window
- Turn off ad blockers
- Clear cookies for youtube.com
On a phone
- Restart the app
- Update YouTube
- Lower the video quality
On a smart TV
- Unplug the TV for a minute
- Update the TV's apps
- Restart your router
For fixes sorted by symptom, see YouTube not working.
Why is YouTube down today?
Real Google server problems are rare but huge. More often, a change to YouTube's site breaks ad blockers, or an internet provider outage stalls every video site at once. Some problems hit one region only.
Watching live TV? YouTube TV has its own reports: see Downdetector YouTube TV.
YouTube error messages and what they mean
| Message | Usually means | Try |
|---|---|---|
| "An error occurred. Please try again later." | The video could not load | Another video, then refresh |
| "Something went wrong" | A server or app glitch | Restart the app |
| "You're offline. Check your connection." | The app cannot reach YouTube | Switch networks |
| Endless buffering circle | Slow connection or busy servers | Lower the quality |
| Black screen with sound | A device or browser graphics issue | Turn off hardware acceleration |
If many people see the same message at the same time on Downdetector, it is an outage. If not, the fix is on your side.
When YouTube goes down with Google
YouTube shares sign-in with your Google account. On December 14, 2020, a Google login failure took down YouTube, Gmail, and other Google services for about 45 minutes. Signed-out viewers could still watch some videos, while signed-in users saw errors.
That gives you a handy test. If YouTube, Gmail, and Google Drive all fail together, the problem is Google's shared systems. Check the Google Workspace Status page, which covers Google's sign-in. If only YouTube fails, the cause is YouTube itself, your device, or your connection.
YouTube down right now on one device?
The YouTube app on a smart TV, a game console, and a phone are separate apps that update on their own schedules. One can break after an update while the others keep working. If only one device fails, update or reinstall that app, then restart the device. Our YouTube not working guide has steps for each device.
Is YouTube down or just me? A two-minute test
- Play a popular video on your phone using mobile data.
- Play the same video on a computer on Wi-Fi.
- Open Downdetector's YouTube page.
Both fail and Downdetector spikes: it is YouTube. Only Wi-Fi fails: it is your home network. Only one device fails: it is that device.
YouTube status for creators
Creators see problems that viewers do not. YouTube Studio, uploads, and comments can fail while videos still play.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Upload stuck at a percent | Keep the tab open. If it fails, upload again later from the start. |
| "Processing" for hours | Long or high-quality videos take time. Check TeamYouTube for known delays. |
| Studio analytics not updating | Numbers can lag by a day. It is rarely an outage. |
| Live stream will not start | Restart your streaming software and check the stream key. |
What to do while YouTube is down
Downloaded videos in the YouTube app, a Premium feature, often still play offline. Creators should hold uploads until the outage ends, since a failed upload can get stuck in processing. Live streamers should post a note on another platform so viewers know the stream will start late. Most YouTube outages end within an hour.
Frequently asked questions
Does YouTube have a status page?
No. YouTube does not run a public status page. Official updates come from the TeamYouTube account on X and the YouTube Help Center. That is why Downdetector is the fastest check.
Why does YouTube say "An error occurred, please try again later"?
This error appears when the video cannot load. It can be a YouTube outage, a slow connection, or a browser problem. If Downdetector shows no spike, clear your browser cache or restart the app.
Why do YouTube videos play with no sound or a black screen?
That is usually your device or browser, not YouTube. Turn off hardware acceleration in your browser settings, update your graphics drivers, or try a different browser.
Is YouTube Music down when YouTube is down?
Often, since they share Google’s systems and your Google account. But either can fail alone. Check the YouTube Music page on Downdetector to compare.
Is YouTube down or just me on my TV?
Try YouTube on your phone with the same Wi-Fi. If the phone works, the TV app is the problem. Unplug the TV for a minute and update the YouTube app. If nothing works on any device, check Downdetector.
Why are YouTube comments or likes not loading?
Comments and likes use different systems from video playback, so they can fail on their own. If Downdetector shows reports about comments, wait. If not, refresh the page or update the app.
How long does a YouTube outage last?
Most are fixed within an hour. Some small problems, like slow loading in one region, clear in minutes. Watch the Downdetector line fall back into the shaded area to see when it is over.
Independent guide. Not affiliated with Downdetector or Ookla.