Can’t play videos on YouTube? App keeps freezing or crashing on your iPad Pro? It’s frustrating when your go-to video app suddenly stops working. Luckily, most YouTube issues are caused by minor bugs, connection problems, or app glitches—and they’re usually easy to fix. Follow these steps to get YouTube running smoothly again.
1. Test YouTube in Safari First
Before diving into fixes, check if it’s a YouTube-wide issue.
- Open Safari and go to youtube.com.
- If videos won’t play there either, the issue might be on YouTube’s servers—not your app.
If YouTube works fine in Safari, move on to the next steps.
2. Force Quit the YouTube App and Reopen It
Restarting the app can flush out temporary bugs.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.
- Swipe left or right to find YouTube.
- Swipe up on the app preview to close it.
- Reopen the app from the Home screen.
3. Restart Your iPad Pro
A soft reset clears system cache and memory hiccups.
- Press and hold the Top (Power) button + Volume button until you see “Slide to power off.”
- Slide to turn off your iPad.
- Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the Top button again to turn it back on.
4. Refresh Your Internet Connection
YouTube needs strong internet to load content properly.
Try one of these:
- Toggle Wi-Fi Off and On:
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and turn it off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. - Enable and Disable Airplane Mode:
Go to Settings > Airplane Mode, turn it on for 10 seconds, then turn it off again. - Reboot Your Router:
If possible, unplug your router/modem for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and reconnect your iPad.
5. Reset Network Settings (If Internet Issues Persist)
This clears corrupted Wi-Fi or DNS settings.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode to confirm.
You’ll need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password afterward.
6. Check for a YouTube App Update
Older versions may not play nice with iOS updates.
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon in the upper right.
- Scroll down to YouTube and tap Update, if available.
Restart your iPad after updating to apply the changes fully.
7. Delete and Reinstall the YouTube App
If the app is corrupted, a clean install is your best bet.
- Long press the YouTube app icon on your Home screen.
- Tap Remove App > Delete App.
- Open the App Store, search for YouTube, and reinstall it.
After reinstalling, launch YouTube and sign in again.
Still Not Working? Report the Issue
- Visit YouTube Help for updates and troubleshooting tips.
- Use the “Send Feedback” option in the YouTube app or website to report persistent problems.
- If only certain videos or channels won’t play, the issue may be with the content itself—not your app or device.