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An outdated YouTube app can cause playback errors or crash unexpectedly.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