(11 Fixes) YouTube App Not Working On iPhone [2023]

How do you unwind after a long day? 

As for me, I always tune in to YouTube after work.

I just get so excited about watching my favorite YouTuber. 

But not until Youtube stopped working, too.     

Well, until I used my tricks to solve it. 

Wanna know them? 

Keep reading to discover: 

• 11 effective ways to fix your YouTube app. 
• Secret settings that’ll ensure YouTube is up and running. 
• 7 reasons why the YouTube app isn’t working on your iPhone. 
• And this is just the beginning…

Why is the YouTube app not working on my iPhone?

The YouTube app isn’t working on your iPhone because you have Internet problems. Also, your app and iPhone could be outdated. And the app won’t work if you’re using an obsolete iPhone or your iPhone’s memory is full. Otherwise, the YouTube app or your iPhone is glitching.

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YouTube app not working on iPhone: 11 fixes

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#1: Reset the YouTube app 

Resetting the YouTube app is the first and easiest fix to the problem. 

That’s because there are times when apps just need a quick restart to resolve unexpected issues. 

But you’d have to do it properly. 

With that said…

Here’s how to reset your YouTube app: 

Step 1: Open the App Switcher. 

Note #1: For iPhones with Face ID, you can do this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen until your finger’s in the center. 

Note #2: You can do this by double-clicking the button for iPhones with a Home button. 

Step 2: Locate the YouTube app by swiping. 

Step 3: Swipe up until the app fades away from the screen. 

Step 4: Reopen the YouTube app by tapping its icon on the Home Screen. 

Or you can go to the App Library by swiping right. Then, press the YouTube icon from there. 

#2: Reboot your iPhone 

You could try rebooting your iPhone if the previous tip didn’t work. 

That’s because doing it solves a lot of phone-related problems. 

And that includes fixing an unresponsive YouTube App. 

So, now…

Here’s how to reboot your iPhone: 

On iPhone X, 11, 12, and 13:

Step 1: Press and hold the volume and side button simultaneously.

Wait until your phone vibrates and the power-off slider appears on your screen. 

Step 2: Drag the Power logo to the right edge of the screen. 

Step 3: Wait 30 seconds to 1 minute. 

Step 4: Turn your iPhone ON by long-pressing the side button on the right.

Wait until the Apple logo appears.  

On iPhone 6, 7, 8, and SE (2nd and 3rd gen): 

Step 1: Press and hold the side button. 

Wait until your phone vibrates and the power-off slider appears on your screen. 

Step 2: Swipe the Power logo to the right edge of the screen. 

Step 3: Wait 30 seconds to 1 minute. 

Step 4: Long press the side button on the right until the Apple Logo appears.  

On iPhone 4, 5, and SE (1st gen): 

Step 1: Press and hold the top button. 

Wait until your phone vibrates and the power-off slider appears on your screen. 

Step 2: Drag the Power logo to the right edge of the screen. 

Step 3: Wait 30 seconds to 1 minute. 

Step 4: Turn your iPhone ON by long-pressing the top button on the right.

And wait until the Apple logo flashes on your screen. 

#3: Restart WiFi router 

Let me ask you a question…

When was the last time you turned off your router? 

I’d bet you can’t even remember. 

You don’t have to feel guilty about it, though. Because I don’t recall either. 

And that’s because we keep our routers running to give us WiFi 24/7. 

But here’s the thing: 

If they work that much without stopping…. 

Then it’s only a matter of time before they start to malfunction. And give problems like this one. 

So that’s why restarting it is necessary. 

By doing so, you’ll give them the rest they deserve. 

Don’t know how to do it properly? 

Here’s how to restart your router: 

1. Unplug your router’s power cable from the socket. 
2. Wait for about 1-2 minutes.
3. Plug it back in and turn the device ON. 

#4: Check your Internet connection

As you already know, your router’s job is to send Internet to your device using WiFi. 

So if you’ve restarted it already, and you’re still having problems with YouTube…

Then your Internet connection might be the one that’s causing it. 

After all, your router can’t give what it doesn’t have, right? 

And here’s…

How to check your Internet connection:

1. Run a speed test here. 
2. Click the GO circle in the middle of your screen. 
3. Wait for the test to finish. 

After that, recall the Internet speed you should have based on your Internet plan.  

And if your internet speed is slower than what it should be…

Then, call your Internet Service Provider to fix the issue.

And after they fix your Internet speed…

It can solve your issues with YouTube, too. 

You might be interested: YouTube App Not Working On Vizio TV

#5: Reset “Network Settings”

If your WiFi router and Internet connection aren’t the problem… 

Then your device’s WiFi software could be. 

But before you worry about it, there’s a simple fix to this one. 

And that’s resetting your iPhone’s Network Settings. 

By doing so, your device’s WiFi system will reboot, and that could solve this issue. 

With that said… 

Here’s how to reset your iPhone’s Network Settings:  

iOS 15 or later:

1. Go to Settings > General >Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Reset. 
3. Select Reset Network Settings. 

iOS 14 or earlier:

1. Go to Settings > General > Reset. 
2. Press Reset Network Settings. 

Note: After this process, you’ll need to log in again to all your WiFi networks. Also it resets cellular settings and VPN and APN settings.  

#6: Enable “Background App Refresh”

Do you find yourself often switching apps? 

Because I tend to do that a lot. 

And doing that made some of my apps unresponsive. 

Looking back, it’s because I didn’t use the Background App Refresh setting. 

And that could be the reason for you too. 

You see, this setting allows you to run selected apps in the background. 

So your phone will process those apps even if you’re not using them in the meantime. 

With that said, you can use this setting to ensure the YouTube app runs smoothly. 

Here’s how to enable Background App Refresh: 

1. Go to Settings > General. 
2. Tap Background App Refresh. 
3. Look for the YouTube app.
4. Toggle ON.  

Would you prefer a visual guide to enable Background App Refresh? 

Then, check this helpful video out: 

#7: Clear cache 

YouTube is amazing, isn’t it? 

Because whenever you stop watching a video to do something urgent…

It lets you pick up where you left off. 

Wondered how that’s possible? 

That’s because of cache.

What’s that? 

A cache is a memory stored in your iPhone to have a much better experience with your apps. 

You can think of it as the YouTube app’s way of trying to get to know you. 

And it’s taking notes on what you like and what you’re doing.

But the thing is: 

Too much cache can overload your device’s memory. 

Not only that, but it also gets corrupted from time to time. 

As a result, apps are likely to malfunction. 

For instance, the YouTube app will stop working.

So that’s why it’s good for you to clear your cache once in a while. 

Simply follow the steps below to…

Clear cache on iPhone:   

1. Go to Settings 
2. Scroll down to the YouTube app. 
3. Tap the YouTube app. 
4. Click Clear app cache on next launch. 

Note: There are times that Clear app cache on next launch isn’t available. That said, you can delete the cache by uninstalling the YouTube app. Afterward, you can just reinstall the app. 

#8: Disable VPN

Do you use VPN? 

Honestly, I don’t blame you. 

In fact, I even support you on that decision. 

After all, I find it pretty amazing that it lets people watch content worldwide. 

It’s like visiting other countries just using your iPhone. 

But here’s the thing: 

Using VPN isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. 

That’s because it can cause some apps to stop working. 

And yes, that includes the YouTube app. 

So that’s why you could try disabling your VPN.  And see whether that fixes the problem. 

But don’t worry. 

I understand that it seems inconvenient. 

But, I’m here to tell you that YouTube is already a global video-streaming platform. 

And that means you don’t need to use a VPN while watching YouTube. 

With that said, why don’t you disable your VPN in the meantime? 

You might be interested: YouTube App Not Working On Android

#9: Update the YouTube app 

Updating apps can be a hassle. And I get that. 

But not updating them can turn out to be more annoying. 

And that’s because it causes problems just like this one. 

Fortunately, Apple has a feature called automatic updates. And it saves you a lot of trouble. 

But the thing is: 

In my experience, there are times that the automatic update feature fails. 

As a result, one of my apps became outdated.

And then, I had loading issues with it.  

So I had to update that app manually to fix the problem. 

And that could be the case for you, too. 

That’s why you could check if there’s an update available for the YouTube app. 

And if so, you need to install them.  

With that said…

Here’s how to update the YouTube app manually: 

1. Visit your iPhone’s App Store. 
2. On the search bar, type “YouTube.”
3. Tap Update if it’s available.

“My YouTube app is up-to-date, but it still won’t work.”

I understand. 

If that’s the case, you may need to: 

#10: Update iOS 

Upgrading your iPhones iOS to the latest version has benefits such as: 

• New features. 
• Security updates. 
• Bug and glitch fixes. 

And because of that, your problem with the YouTube app could be solved, too. 

With that said… 

Here’s how to update your iPhone’s iOS:

Via wireless connection: 

1. Plug iPhone into a power socket. 
2. Connect the iPhone to the internet via WiFi. 
3. Go to Settings > General. 
4. Press Software Update. 
5. Select an update option you want to install. 
6. Tap Install Now. 

Note: if you don’t see Install Now, tap Download and Install instead. Next, enter your passcode. And then, tap Install Now. 

Via Mac with macOS Catalina and up: 

1. Open a Finder window. 
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer. 
3. Tap your iPhone on the left sidebar. 
4. Press General > Check for Update. 
5. Click Download and Update. 

Via Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier/Windows PC:

1. Open iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC. 
2. Connect iPhone to the computer. 
3. Tap your iPhone in the iTunes toolbar. 
4. Go to Summary > Check for Update. 
5. Click Download and Update.

Pro tip: If you’d prefer automatic updates for your iPhone. Then, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Automatic Updates. Finally, toggle Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates ON. 

#11: Upgrade your iPhone

Can’t update your YouTube app? 

Or can’t get the latest iOS version for your iPhone? 

If that’s the case, then you must have an outdated iPhone. 

Such as: 

• iPhone 4.
• iPhone 5.
• iPhone 4s.

As you already know, Apple released these iPhones almost a decade ago. 

That’s why it’s no wonder you’re having issues with the YouTube app. 

You see, these models are considered obsolete. 

And that means they can’t keep up with today’s spec requirements. 

In fact, Google dropped support for iOS 10 with their YouTube app in 2020. 

Simply because it can’t handle recent versions of YouTube.   

And that’s why you could upgrade to a newer iPhone model. 

Not only to solve the problem with YouTube…

But also get the following: 

• Smoother experience. 
• Clearer image and video quality. 
• Better phone aesthetics and feel.
• More powerful bionic chip processors. 

With that said…

Here are the iPhone models that you can consider:  

• iPhone 11. 
• iPhone 12.
• iPhone SE. 
• iPhone 12 Pro. 
• iPhone 12 Pro Max.