(13 Fixes) YouTube App Not Working On Samsung TV [2023]

Let’s talk about bad habits.

Mine?

I can’t eat without watching YouTube.

It’s a habit I picked up in college and couldn’t kick.

So, imagine how pissed I was when YouTube stopped working on my Samsung.

But I was stubborn.

I didn’t eat. I just tried to find a solution to this problem…

Let me help you out with yours as well…

Keep reading to discover:

• 3 DIY solutions to reach YouTube’s required network speed.
• 13 simple ways to fix a Samsung TV that won’t open YouTube.
• 3 out-of-the-box methods to watch YouTube on your Samsung TV.
• How to update your Samsung’s firmware if it’s causing a glitch with your apps.
• And so much more…

Why won’t my YouTube app work on my Samsung TV?

Your YouTube app isn’t working on Samsung TV because it’s incompatible or YouTube itself is down. Network speed, bad cache, and glitches also factor in an unresponsive YouTube app. An outdated YouTube app or firmware could also cause this issue. Or your ISP is blocking YouTube.

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YouTube app not working on Samsung TV: 13 fixes

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#1: Your TV is incompatible

Consider this:

What if the reason your Samsung TV can’t launch YouTube is…

Your TV is no longer compatible with YouTube?

I know—what a bummer.

And how will you know if your TV can’t use YouTube anymore, you ask?

Information is available on their website…

But, while you’re here, why don’t I just tell you?

YouTube ceased its support for Samsung TVs released before 2011 in March 2015.

Not only that, but do you also use YouTube TV?

It’s YouTube’s answer to cable TV, in which they offer more than 85 live channels for $64.99 a month.

Sound like a good deal, right?

Unfortunately, you can’t use this service for Samsung TVs sold before 2016.

#2: See if YouTube is down

Grab your phone. Or maybe a laptop.

Then, try to access YouTube from there.

Can you?

If not, there’s a chance that YouTube’s down for everyone.

To be sure, you can check YouTube’s Twitter account for updates regarding the situation.

And to be extra sure, there are 3rd party down detectors that you can use.

As for fixing the issue:

There’s nothing you can do when this happens…

Except wait. 

Maybe read a book in the meantime? Or follow up on that chore you said you were gonna do.

#3: Power cycle

You know what else you can do?

Restart your TV.

I know, I know. It sounds like the obvious fix.

And, chances are, you’ve already tried it yourself.

However, are you doing it right? And what I mean by restarting your TV “right” is:

1. Turn your TV off.
2. Unplug it from the socket.
3. Don’t do anything for 30 seconds.
4. Plug it back in.
5. Turn your TV on.

That’s how you thoroughly restart a TV.

This process is called a power cycle.

You see, as long as your TV is connected to your socket…

There’ll be charges that power your Samsung.

A power cycle gets rid of all the charges…

Thus, allowing your TV to truly and fully restart.

#4: Check your network speed

Is your video stuck on loading?

That sucks.

But, you know what?

There are a couple of ways you can fix this.

And it all starts with improving your internet.

First, check how fast your internet is using a speed test.

Then, compare the result to YouTube’s recommended speed for each resolution:

Resolution	Required Speed
360p (640 x 360)	0.7 Mbps
480p (720 x 480)	1.1 Mbps
720p (1280 x 720)	2.5 Mbps
1080p (1920 x 1080)	5 Mbps
4K (3840 x 2160)	2 Mbps

Now, don’t go calling your ISP and asking for an upgrade just yet.

Because you could actually improve your network speed by doing these:

Change DNS

Domain Name System.

Does that term ring a bell?

Whether yes or no, here’s how I’d explain this concept:

The language in which we people speak is different from how computers communicate.

And when we enter URLs or search terms, it needs to be translated.

This is what the DNS does.

Problem is:

DNS runs on a remote server. 

Sometimes these servers go down, which often results in slow internet.

So, what can you do?

Switch to a DNS server that doesn’t go down.

Google’s own public DNS ensures a faster and more reliable internet connection.

Thanks, Google.

Now, heres…

How to connect to other DNS servers

1. Press Menu on your remote.
2. Head to Network.
3. Go to Network Status.
4. Tap IP Settings.
5. Switch DNS Setting from “Get Automatically” to “Enter Manually.”
6. Change DNS Server to 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.

Remove interference

Take note of the items between your Samsung TV and the router.

Are any of them:

• Mirrors.
• Microwave.
• Baby monitors.
• Metallic objects.
• Walls, floors, and ceiling.
• Bluetooth-emitting devices.

In that case, remove what you can.

Why?

Because those objects are known to block Wi-Fi signals.

And do you know what the biggest offender is?

Distance.

A regular 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi should reach around 1.5 KM. While a 5.0 GHz can reach a maximum of 700 M.

But that’s on open space.

In fact, that number drastically goes down inside a home.

So, to be sure, move your router closer to your Samsung. Or… 

Use an ethernet cable

You can also use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.

How?

Use an ethernet cable.

Not only is this mode of connection way faster, but it’s also:

• More secure.
• More reliable.
• Better in latency.

#5: Clear cache

Do you ever wonder how YouTube saves your recent searches?

Or how YouTube knows the perfect video to recommend?

That’s all thanks to cache.

Cached data is information stored by your TV to get to know you better.

You might say:

“Wait. That sounds like a good thing.”

And it is. At first, at least.

How so?

You see, these data can be corrupted over time.

Once they are, all sorts of glitches can happen with your apps, like:

• Crashing.
• Not opening.
• Stuck on loading.
• Not letting you sign in.

And more.

So, to delete cached data, what you have to do is:

1. Press Home on your remote.
2. Head to Settings.
3. Under Support, go to Device Care.
4. After scanning, select Manage Storage.
5. Highlight YouTube and press More Details.
6. Clear Cache and Clear Data.

Note: This only works on Samsung TVs launched in 2020 or after.

You may also be interested in: How to Restart Apps on Samsung TV

#6: Optimize your TV

When your Samsung can’t play YouTube, or any other app…

Why don’t you try to give it a boost?

How?

By optimizing your TV.

You know what? It’s also really no hassle at all.

Simply follow these 4 quick steps:

1. Press Home on your remote.
2. Head to Settings.
3. Under Support, go to Device Care.
4. Select Optimize Now.

#7: Reset Smart Hub

Have you ever come across a sign that said:

“Break glass in case of emergency.”

This method is a bit like that. Something that you should do as a last resort.

And that is to reset your Samsung’s Smart Hub.

What does this type of reset do, you ask?

It gets rid of all your:

• Accounts.
• App cache.
• Settings changes.

Are you okay with losing those? Then, what you have to do is:

For 2020 or later

1. Press Home on your remote.
2. Head to Settings.
3. Under Support, go to Device Care.
4. Tap Self Diagnosis.
5. Select Reset Smart Hub.
6. Enter your PIN to confirm.

Note: The default PIN for your TV is 0000. Use that if you haven’t touched this setting.

For other models

1. 2016 to 2019: Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub > PIN.
2. 2015: Menu > Smart Hub > Reset Smart Hub > PIN.
3. 2014: Menu > Smart Features > Smart Hub Reset > PIN.
4. 2013: Menu > Smart Hub > Smart Hub Reset > PIN.
5. 2012: Smart Hub > Tools > Settings > Reset > PIN.

Reset PIN

Notice anything with the methods listed above?

What do they all have in common?

In the end, you have to enter the PIN of your TV to confirm the reset.

Riddle me this:

How can you reset your TV if you changed its password but forgot the new one?

Simple. You reset your PIN first.

And this is how:

1. Boot up your TV and place it on empty input.
2. Press these buttons in this exact order:

Volume Up, Volume Up, Return, Volume Down, Return, Volume Up, Return.

Your PIN should now be back to 0000.

#8: Update firmware

Next, do you know what else you can do?

Update your TV’s firmware.

You see, your TV might’ve already updated itself unbeknownst to you.

After all, the auto-update feature is on by default.

The thing is:

Developers can sometimes roll out updates that can slow down your TV…

Or maybe something went wrong with the update process.

Nevertheless, both of those scenarios could cause your YouTube to stop working.

If you think this is your problem, then you must…

Update your firmware manually

Through settings

1. Press Settings on your remote.
2. Go to Support.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. Select Update Now.

With USB

1. Get a flash drive.

Ensure that this flash drive:

• Has 2 Gb of free space.
• Formatted as FAT32 or NTFS.

Got yours? Next…

2. Go to the Samsung Download Center.
3. Enter and download your TV’s latest firmware.
4. Extract the downloaded file into your USB.
5. Turn on your Samsung TV.
6. Insert the flash drive into the USB port.
7. Follow this direction: Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now.

If that last part looks familiar, it’s because it’s the same way you can update through settings.

Only difference is:

This time, it’ll first look for an update inside the flash drive, not online.

What’s that? You want a video to go along with the written instructions?

All good. You can watch this:

#9: Update YouTube

Speaking of updates…

Let’s try to update your YouTube app as well.

Don’t worry. This is easier than updating your firmware.

In fact, it wouldn’t take more than a minute to:

1. Press the Smart Hub button on your remote, then go to Featured.
2. Highlight YouTube until a pop-up appears.
3. Go to Update Apps.
4. Enter Select All.
5. Select Update.

See? I told you it’s easy.

#10: Reinstall YouTube

If updating YouTube didn’t work…

Try to reinstall it next.

And, like updating your app…

I promise you this will be quick as well.

But that doesn’t make it any less effective.

So, to start:

1. Press Home on your remote.
2. Highlight YouTube and press the Down button.
3. Select Remove.
4. Tap Remove again to confirm.
5. Next, to reinstall YouTube, return to Home.
6. Go to Apps.
7. Search for YouTube.
8. Select Install.

#11: YouTube is blocked

Ever notice how there are some websites or apps that you can’t use?

No matter what you do.

And when you try to access these sites on your PC, all you’ll get is:

“This site can’t be reached.”

How does this happen?

Well, some ISPs or network administrators block websites that they deem…

Untrustworthy.

Or, sometimes, they just block websites and apps by accident.

You’ll have to phone your network admin for help to fix this.

#12: Stream YouTube elsewhere

Now, if you still can’t get the YouTube app to work…

Stream YouTube somewhere else.

And then connect that to your TV.

How can you do that?

You have 3 choices:

• Through a laptop.
• Using a gaming console.
• With a streaming device.

Let’s go through them 1 by 1, shall we?

Laptop

Have you got a spare laptop lying around in your home?

One that you can afford not to use while watching YouTube?

Then this method is for you.

You just have to:

1. Open Google Chrome on your laptop.
2. Press Cast.
3. Select your TV.

And done.

Alternatively, you can also use an HDMI cable to connect the laptop to your TV.

Gaming console

Do you own a PlayStation? Or perhaps, an Xbox?

You know, you can use either of them to watch YouTube.

All you have to do is install the app.

How?

Xbox

1. Switch to your Xbox input.
2. Press RB on your controller.
3. Go to Apps.
4. Find YouTube.
5. Select Install.

PS4 or PS5

1. Switch to your PS5 input.
2. Go to Media.
3. Head to All Apps.
4. Find YouTube.
5. Select Install.

Streaming device

And lastly, the best way to watch YouTube is through a streaming device.

The catch? You’re going to spend a little cash.

However, it doesn’t have to be a lot.

There are budget options out there that are just as good as the more expensive ones.

In fact, here’s my list of affordable but fantastic streaming devices:

• Roku Express 4K Plus: $29.99.
• Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite: $19.99.
• Chromecast with Google TV: $49.99.

#13: Ask for assistance

After all that, your YouTube app still isn’t working?

Relax. Do you know what my mom always liked to say?

“Nothing’s a lost cause.”

Not you, nor your stupid Samsung TV that can’t open YouTube.

All you have to do is ask for help.

You can contact Google for all your YouTube assistance needs. And you can contact Samsung if you want to request a repair.