YouTube Not Working on iPhone 7? Here’s How to Fix It

Trying to watch your favorite YouTube videos on your iPhone 7 but nothing loads or plays? Whether you’re getting an error, a spinning wheel, or a blank screen, this issue can stem from a glitch in the app, your connection, or the phone’s software. Here’s a simple guide to help you fix YouTube playback problems on your iPhone 7.


1. Restart Your iPhone (Soft Reset)

Sometimes the issue is just a minor bug. A quick reboot can often clear it up.

  • Hold the Power button until “slide to power off” appears.
  • Slide to turn off the phone.
  • Wait 30 seconds, then press Power again to turn it back on.

If the YouTube app froze your screen, do a force restart instead:

  • Hold the Volume Down + Power button until the Apple logo shows.

2. Close and Relaunch the YouTube App

If YouTube won’t play videos, try force-quitting the app:

  • Double-press the Home button.
  • Swipe up on the YouTube app to close it.
  • Reopen the app and try again.

3. Check for App Updates

An outdated YouTube app can cause playback errors or crash unexpectedly.

  • Open the App Store
  • Tap your profile icon in the top right
  • Scroll to see pending updates
  • Tap Update next to YouTube if available

4. Delete and Reinstall the YouTube App

Still having issues? Try uninstalling and reinstalling the app to clear out any corrupted files.

  • Tap and hold the YouTube icon until it jiggles
  • Tap the X, then confirm Delete
  • Restart your iPhone
  • Reinstall the app from the App Store

5. Check Your Internet Connection

Slow or unstable Wi-Fi is one of the most common reasons YouTube videos won’t load.

  • Go to Settings > Wi-Fi
  • Toggle Wi-Fi off, then on
  • If needed, switch to another Wi-Fi network
  • Or try using Cellular data instead

6. Reset Network Settings

If your internet still seems shaky, try resetting your network settings.

  • Go to Settings > General > Reset
  • Tap Reset Network Settings
  • Enter your passcode and confirm

This will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings.


7. Update iOS

YouTube compatibility can sometimes depend on your iOS version.

  • Go to Settings > General > Software Update
  • Tap Download and Install if an update is available

8. Try Playing the Video Later

If you see the “Playback Error — Tap to Retry” message, the issue might be on YouTube’s end.

  • Wait a few minutes and try again
  • Or try playing a different video/channel to rule out a file-specific issue

9. Use a YouTube Video Converter (Optional)

For videos you really need offline:

  • Use a computer and a trusted YouTube video converter
  • Download the video in MP4 format
  • Sync it to your iPhone using iTunes

This is useful for frequent travelers or limited data plans.


Still Not Working? Try These:

  • Make sure Low Power Mode is turned off
  • Try watching on Safari or another browser instead of the app
  • Use YouTube’s mobile site: m.youtube.com

If all else fails, reach out to Apple Support or YouTube’s help center for advanced support.

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