Is Your YouTube Not Working On Firestick? 9 Fixes Included!

Last week my girlfriend invited me over for a date night. She had made some delicious pasta, and I had planned to experiment with some cocktail recipes. Everything went off as per the plan until we decided to watch some recorded concerts by Ben Böhmer on YouTube. Just as we tried to turn on the YouTube TV but couldn’t, I realized, being a Home Entertainment Expert, I would have to fix the issue of YouTube not working on Firestick before making and having cocktails. And guess what? I wasn’t wrong!

As a socially responsible guy who cares about people having a good time in the evenings, the following day, I decided to write this article to list down a few common reasons why one might be facing the trouble of YouTube not working on Fire TV. 

I received a few requests for this article when I published an article about Disney Plus not working on Firestick.

Along with stating the reasons why your Youtube might not be working with Firestick, the article also talks about some of the ways you can fix the issue. After all, after surviving a series of lockdowns, having YouTube TV on our televisions is kind of an extended basic need. 

So without any further ado, let’s begin:

The Reasons For YouTube Not Working On Firestick

There are many reasons why your YouTube TV application might not be working with Firestick. However, fixing these issues is not that complicated a task. All you need to do is carefully examine the reason and try the fixes.

• Internet Connection Not Fast Enough
• YouTube Version Outdated
• YouTube Application Not Installed Properly
• Youtube or Firestick Caches Not Clear
• Software Issues
• YouTube Server Down

If your YouTube keeps crashing on Firestick or it doesn’t play at all due to any of the reasons stated above, the following list compiled by me will undoubtedly help you out.

How to Fix YouTube TV Not Working on Amazon Fire Stick TV

Facing issues like YouTube videos not playing on Firestick is normal and can happen with anyone. The problem does not require any professional intervention if you have a guide to fix it. If you are facing the problem of YouTube TV not showing up on Firestick, I advise trying the fixes given below. 

Fix 1: Recheck The Internet Connection

Whenever I hear somebody tell me about their trouble with YouTube not working on Fire TV, the first thing I recommend to them is checking the internet connection speed. It is essential that we rule out the possibility of a poor internet connection before trying other fixes. Also, there are times when the issue of YouTube not loading on Firestick is as simple as poor internet connection.

Let me tell you the easiest way to check the speed of your internet connection.

Step 1: Go to the internet browser.

Step 2: Type www.fast.com in the address bar.

Step 3: The server will take a few seconds and display the wifi speed on your screen as below: 

You need a minimum internet speed of 5-10 Mbps to play HD videos, and 20-25 Mbps to play 4K videos on YouTube on Firestick. If your connection has a speed lesser than that, YouTube won’t play on Firestick. 

In this case, you can do either of the following things:

• wait till your connection get better
• dial-up your internet service
• Try the fix given below.

Fix 2: Restart the Router

If your Youtube is not working on Firestick or YouTube Keeps Crashing On Firestick, restarting your router may sound like a makeshift fix, but it works for many. It clears the bugs in your internet connection and improves the speed. This process acts as a soft reset for the internet connection.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Unplug or switch off the router.

Step 2: Wait for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Step 3: Replug or switch on the router.

Step 4: Check if your internet connection is any better.

If the fix worked for you, you are lucky. You fixed the issue the easy way. However, if the method did not work for you, there are still ways to fix it.

Fix 3: Remove And Replug The Firestick Device

This fix is almost the same as ‘Fix 2’. Just that, in this fix you have to unplug and replug your Firestick instead of the router. 

Here’s how you can soft reset your Firestick device:

Step 1: Unplug the Firestick device from your system.

Step 2: Wait for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Step 3: Replug the device back into the system.

Step 4: Check if videos play on YouTube TV.

If the issue of YouTube not playing on Firestick is not resolved with the soft restart of Firestick, you may need to read the next fix.

Fix 4: Restart Firestick

If the above soft restart did not work for you, you should try a hard restart of your Firestick. This fix also works well if YouTube keeps crashing on Firestick. This method fixes the cut-off links, if any, between your Firestick and YouTube App.

Here’s how you can hard restart your Firestick.

Step 1: Look for the ‘HOME’ button on your Firestick remote and long-press it.

Step 2: Select ‘SETTINGS.’

Step 3: Choose the option ‘MY FIRE TV.’

Step 4: Select the ‘RESTART’ option.

Step 5: Wait for a few minutes for the restart process to complete.

After the process is complete, open the YouTube App on the Firestick. You will see that it now works. In case it still doesn’t work, head on to try the next fix.

Fix 5: Check For Software Updates For The Youtube App

If Your YouTube App has a pending update that you have not attended to, there are chances that your YouTube wont play on Firestick. So, before you are all frustrated, please update the app in case of any pending updates.

Here how,

Step 1: Go to the Google Store or the App Store.

Step 2: Seach for YouTube App. Check for the logo

Step 3: Select ‘UPDATE’ if you see the option.

Step 4: Wait for the update to complete.

In case you do not see the ‘UPDATE’ option there; it means you do not have any update pending. Hence, you must look for the next fix to try.

Fix 6: Check If YouTube-Server Is Down

Maybe the trouble is not with your YouTube on Firestick but with the YouTube Server. It does not happen quite often, but it has happened a couple of times. So, it is wise to check playing videos on YouTube from your smartphone or any other device.

Since a down server of a Youtube, owned by a giant like Google, is not a small thing, in case this happens, you may see this as a trending topic on Twitter. In this case, all that you can do is wait for the engineers to fix it.

If this is not the case, then move ahead to read the next fix. 

Fix 7:  Clear Caches On Your YouTube App

better. If you are facing the trouble of YouTube not playing on Firestick, trying this troubleshooting step is worth your time.  A cache is a fixed allotted storage space for temporary files that makes a device, browser, or app run faster and more efficiently. Since there is limited storage allocated to caches, which, if full, can start giving you troubles like YouTube videos not playing on Firestick.

To clear the caches, follow these steps:

• Go to the ‘SETTINGS‘ option.
• Select ‘APPLICATIONS.’
• Choose ‘MANAGE INSTALLED APPLICATIONS.’
• Select ‘YOUTUBE TV.’
• Click on ‘CLEAR CACHE.’

Fix 8: Uninstall and Re-install YouTube Application

If the YouTube TV still doesn’t work and the issue of YouTube TV not showing up on Firestick persists, you need to uninstall the YouTube App from your system and re-install it. 

Here’s how:

Step 1: Go to the ‘PLAY STORE’ or ‘APP STORE’ on your TV.

Step 2: Search ‘YOUTUBE.’

Step 3: Select ‘UNINSTALL.’

Step 4: After the process is finished, select ‘RE-INSTALL.’

Step 5: Wait for the App to reinstall.

Once the YouTube App has been reinstalled, YouTube will ask for your login details again. Once the login is complete, try playing videos on YouTube and see if the issue is resolved.

Fix 9: Factory Reset Firestick

If you tried all the above fixes but still do not have any luck, it’s time to Factory Reset your  Firestick. Since factory resetting Firestick deletes all data and customized settings, I recommend this step as a last resort. 

Factory resetting Firestick will remove all the data and make your Firestick like when you bought it. However, the data within your applications is not affected as they are linked to your email.

You can reset your Firestick following the steps below:

Step 1: Go to the ‘SETTINGS’ menu.

Step 2: Navigate ‘MY FIRE TV.’

Step 3: Choose ‘FACTORY RESET’ or ‘RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULT.’

Step 4: A pop-up message will appear to confirm your decision. Select ‘CONFIRM.’

Once you confirm to reset your Firestick; you will have to download all the applications again. Here’s how you can download YouTube on your FireStick.

• Select the ‘MENU’ option at the top of the homepage.
• Choose ‘SOCIAL MEDIA.’
• Search ‘YOUTUBE.’
• Click on ‘DOWNLOAD.’
• Open the YouTube app and ‘LOG IN’ with your registered email.

This resort will fix the issue of YouTube not working on Fire TV and enable you to enjoy your favorite videos without any trouble.

FAQs

Q1. What is cache, and why should I clear it?

Answer.  A cache is a fixed allotted storage space for temporary files that makes a device, browser, or app run faster and more efficiently. Since there is limited storage allocated to caches, which, if full, can start giving you troubles like YouTube videos not playing on Firestick.

Q2. Why can’t I find YouTube TV on my First-generation  Fire Stick?

Answer.  Due to a legal dispute between Amazon and Google in the past, first-generation Fire Sticks do not support YouTube TV. 

Q3. How many devices can I stream videos on with YouTube TV?

Answer. With a basic YouTube TV subscription, you can use three devices to stream content. . The 4K Plus plan of YouTube TV gives you an unlimited streaming experience. The plan also allows you to download videos.

Q4. Will I have to make in-app purchases again after factory resetting my Firestick?

Answer. Factory resetting Firestick will remove all the data and make your Firestick like when you bought it. However, the data within your applications is not affected as they are linked to your email.

Conclusion

It is common and normal to sometimes face the issue of ‘YouTube not loading on Firestick’ or ‘YouTube unavailable on Firestick’. The problem may be frustrating or annoying, but fixing this is not a complicated task. It is wise to identify the reason and find an appropriate fix to resolve the issue.

The compiled list above talks about all the possible reasons and fixes. I am sure one of the above fixes must have worked for you—comment below your experience.