Have you been streaming YouTube TV and suddenly your device or the application began to freeze? YouTube TV has one of the best online streaming experiences.
However, like all services that use the internet, it can stop working or keep freezing, buffering, or crashing.
YouTube TV will freeze if your streaming device does not have enough memory to buffer or streaming videos over the internet.
Another cause may be a faulty Wi-Fi network or poor internet connection.
If you are using an outdated app, it might crash from time to time. Other reasons include technical issues with YouTube, cached data that is causing the app to malfunction, and outdated device software that no longer supports YouTube TV.
This guide will help you to troubleshoot YouTube when it freezes, buffers, or crashes.
If you are experiencing other issues, here is a comprehensive YouTube TV troubleshooting guide. Check it out.
Solutions to YouTube TV freezing, buffering or crashing issues
You can fix streaming issues on YouTube TV in several ways. They are:
1. Restart your device
Restarting your device helps it to dump cache and free up storage to allow apps to run smoothly. As simple as this solution may sound, it is particularly helpful when YouTube TV has frozen or if it keeps crashing.
To restart your device, hold down the power button for a few seconds until the screen turns off (for computers) or unplug the electrical cord from the wall outlet.
Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then power it on or plug back the electrical wire.
Once done, open the YouTube app and try again. It should be working fine by now. If it doesn’t, proceed to the next step.
2. Check your internet connection
An unstable internet connection is one of the most common reasons for buffering issues on YouTube. Follow these steps to troubleshoot internet issues.
- Make sure you have connected your streaming device to the internet.
- If you are streaming on a mobile device, turn your mobile data connection OFF then ON, and then try again.
- Change the video quality to a lower setting if the app stops playing. You can do this by going to the Menu and select Quality.
- Close the video player then reopen it.
Note that YouTube TV requires at least 3 Mbps for a better streaming experience.
However, if you want to watch HD videos reliably when other devices are using the same network, you need at least 13 Mbps.
But if you only have one device using the network, you need at least 7 Mbps.
3. Close and reopen YouTube TV
Closing and reopening YouTube TV is an easy way to refresh the app. You will have to exit the app and then reopen it.
Note that you don’t have to log out. Once the app opens, try watching a video again to see whether you have fixed the YouTube TV lag.
4. Check for device software updates
If YouTube TV keeps crashing even after attempting the above-mentioned steps, check whether the device software is up-to-date.
In most cases, running a new app on an old firmware often leads to numerous problems including freezing and crashing.
To make it easier for you, the guide below covers how to update the firmware on some of the most popular streaming devices.
How to update the software on Samsung TV
- Go to Settings.
- Select Support.
- Select Software Update.
- Choose Update Now.
How to update the software on Roku
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Scroll to select Settings.
- Select System.
- Select System update.
How to update the software on Fire Stick
- Go to Settings.
- Select My Fire TV and go to About.
- Select Check for System Update.
How to update the software on Vizio
Unlike other devices, Vizio does not offer software updates upon request. You only need to connect the device to the internet to get the latest firmware.
5. Uninstall and reinstall the app
If the YouTube TV app keeps crashing, consider uninstalling and reinstalling it from your device.
This way, you will be removing an old application that has accumulated corrupted data and causes the app to crash. You will also have a new app that comes with the latest updates and features.
6. Clear app cache data
Cached data are junk files that accumulate when using the YouTube app. If YouTube TV is constantly freezing, it means the files are slowing down your streaming device and the app too.
If you are using a mobile phone, here is what to do:
- Go to Settings.
- Locate the Apps list.
- Tap on YouTube TV.
- Find the option to clear the cache.
Once you clear the cache, restart your device, open YouTube TV, and try again.
If you are using Roku:
- Select the Home Menu.
- Press the Home button five times.
- Press the UP button.
- Click the Rewind button two times.
- Press Fast Forward two times.
Once you have done the above, wait for at least 30 seconds. Your Roku will clear the cache and other junk files.
It will then reboot and help you to fix the issue. This step is also helpful if YouTube TV was freezing on ads.
7. Check on your location permission
When signing up for YouTube TV, you are required to share your home zip code. This is in addition to your location which is granted through device location permissions.
The requirement is necessary to ensure you get access to the right local networks.
Here’s how to turn location permissions ON if YouTube freezes.
If you are using a computer:
- Open YouTube TV.
- Select your profile picture.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select Area.
- Select Home area.
- Click on Update.
In most cases, people tend to get the issue when trying to watch YouTube TV while traveling. You will have to update your current playback area to fix the problem.
- Open the YouTube TV app on your TV.
- Select your profile picture.
- Navigate to Settings then select Area
- Select Current Playback Area.
- On your mobile device, go to tv.youtube.com/verify.
Allow the website to access your device’s location to update your current playback area.
You can also update your current playback area if you are using a mobile device to stream YouTube TV:
- Open YouTube TV.
- Select your profile picture.
- Select Settings > Area.
- Tap Update which is beside the Current Playback Area
If the service cannot identify your area, you will have to visit tv.youtube.com/verify. In that case, allow the website to access the location of your device.
Conclusion
If you are using YouTube TV and the application keeps freezing, you can do several things to fix it. For example, you can change the picture quality to a lower setting and try again.
Also, check to ensure you have connected your device to the internet.
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