Is YouTube down?

Understanding YouTube availability

YouTube availability can fail in different ways. The homepage, search, video playback, comments, subscriptions, sign-in, and uploads may be affected independently, so one broken feature does not necessarily mean that YouTube is down overall.

A broader outage or regional problem becomes more plausible when several functions fail at the same time and the same symptoms appear on different devices and internet connections. If only one video, browser, device, network, account, or feature is affected, investigate that specific layer first.

The Google Apps Status Dashboard can provide relevant Google service information, but it may not show every brief, regional, or feature-specific YouTube problem. Combine status information with direct tests on YouTube.

Troubleshooting YouTube problems

Check for a broader or regional problem

1. Open the YouTube homepage and try several unrelated videos.
2. Check whether search, sign-in, comments, subscriptions, or uploads are also affected.
3. Repeat the test on another device or a different connection, such as mobile data.
4. Check the Google Apps Status Dashboard for relevant Google service information.

If the same failures occur across devices and networks, a wider service or regional problem is more plausible. If YouTube works on another connection or device, focus on the layer that differs.

Browser and app causes

If YouTube works in a private window or another browser, an extension, cookie, cached site data, or browser setting is a likely cause. Disable extensions one at a time, especially content blockers and privacy tools, then clear YouTube site data and retry.

On a phone or tablet, compare the YouTube app with YouTube in a browser. If only the app fails, update or restart the app and check whether the same action works in the browser. A blank page, repeated reload, or video that never starts can result from stale app or browser data and script interference.

Network and DNS causes

If YouTube works on mobile data but not on Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi network, router, DNS resolver, filtering, or internet-provider route is more likely than a general YouTube outage. Compare another device on the same Wi-Fi and check whether other sites are affected.

Buffering on one connection while playback works normally on another can indicate congestion or a route-specific problem. Restart the router only if you are authorized to do so and understand that it will briefly interrupt the connection.

Account- and feature-specific failures

If videos play but sign-in, comments, subscriptions, or uploads fail, focus on the affected feature or account first. Record the exact message and check whether ordinary playback still works. Where appropriate, compare the feature while signed out or with another authorized account.

Sign out only when you know the account credentials and any required verification method. A failed upload or unavailable comment function does not by itself show that all of YouTube is down.

HTTP errors and gateway responses

HTTP 500, 502, 503, or 504 responses can originate with YouTube or with an intermediary such as a proxy or gateway. Record the exact code, time, affected action, and whether another network reproduces it. Use the relevant error guides below for more targeted explanations.

When to stop changing settings

If the issue occurs across browsers, devices, and networks but status information does not explain it, preserve the exact symptoms instead of repeatedly clearing data or changing settings. If only one browser, device, network, or account is affected, investigate that layer first and document any change that resolves the problem.