Huh. The YouTube app on my Vizio isn’t working.
Whatever, that’s okay. I can always watch tutorials to fix it on —
Oh, wait. That’s right…
I don’t have YouTube.
It seems like I’m stuck on an infinite loop.
But you don’t have to be…
Keep reading to discover:
- 9 effortless ways to fix the YouTube app on your Vizio.
- How to use your gaming console to watch YouTube videos.
- Which streaming device is perfect for your Vizio TV to use the YouTube app.
- The quickest way to remove cache from your TV that’s slowing down YouTube.
- And so much more…
Why won’t my YouTube app work on my Vizio TV?
The YouTube app won’t work on your Vizio TV because your model doesn’t support YouTube anymore. Cache could also overload your TV’s memory and stop your YouTube app. Slow network and outdated firmware are also known to cause this issue.
YouTube app not working on Vizio TV: 9 fixes
#1: Your TV can’t use YouTube anymore
Did the YouTube app suddenly disappear from your menu?
Without any warning, it’s just…
Gone?
Are you, by any chance, using an older Vizio TV model?
If so, YouTube has likely stopped its services on your TV.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a problem that you can’t solve.
How would you know if you can’t use YouTube anymore? Look for your model in this list of Vizio TVs.
#2: Reinstall the YouTube app
Next, try to reinstall the YouTube app on your Vizio TV.
Why?
You see, updating apps is a surefire way of fixing issues caused by the older version.
And that can include not being able to access the app itself.
But you can’t actually manually update apps on Vizio…
What you can do, however, is to reinstall the app to force an update.
Don’t fret. Reinstalling an app is really no hassle at all either.
All you have to do is:
- Tap the VIA button on your remote.
- Select the YouTube app.
- Press the Yellow button on your remote.
- Click Delete Snippet.
- Next, head to the Widget Gallery.
- Find and select YouTube.
- Tap Add Widget to Profile.
#3: Update Vizio firmware
Another thing you can try is to update the firmware on your Vizio TV.
Now, I know what you’re going to ask:
“Firmware? What’s that?”
Think of firmware as code written for your hardware.
Like all other manufacturers, Vizio releases an update for your firmware occasionally.
For what reason?
Most of the time, it introduces new functionalities to your TV.
Sometimes, it can be to patch existing issues. Like, for example, apps that don’t work right.
However, here’s the bad news:
Unlike other brands, you can’t manually update your Vizio TV’s firmware…
But you can trigger it.
How?
By checking for updates. To do that, follow these 4 easy steps:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Head to Admin & Reset.
- Select System Information.
- Tap Check for Updates.
You may also be interested in: Is Vizio A Good TV Brand? 3 Problems & 6 Reasons
#4: Clear the cache
Here’s a fun fact:
Your TV knows you.
More specifically, it knows your credentials, viewing habits, and content preferences.
How, you ask?
Through cache.
Cached data is information stored on an app.
Most of the time, it’s harmless. It’s just there to help your YouTube, for example, to find videos you might be interested in.
However, sometimes your app can be full of cache, that your TV starts to slow down…
To the point that you can’t even open 1 app.
When that happens, simply:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Head to Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Go to System Apps.
- Select YouTube.
- Clear Cache and Clear Data.
Now, I understand that not everyone’s a verbal learner.
Some people need visual demonstration to understand instructions. And it’s okay if that’s you.
You can always watch this video instead:
#5: Remove signal interference
Consider this:
What if the problem isn’t your TV or the YouTube app…
But your internet?
If you’re face-to-face with a stuck loading bar, it’s time to make changes around your house.
“Wait, what do you mean?”
Some things in your house are most likely blocking the Wi-Fi signal from your router. Commonly, these are:
- Walls.
- Water.
- Metals.
- Mirrors.
- Baby monitors.
- CCTVs and nanny cams.
- Any other 2.4 or 5.0 GHz device.
Got some of these placed near your router? Remove what you can.
Doing so can boost your network and reach the speed requirements for YouTube. Which are:
| Speed | What’s on your screen |
| Under 3 Mbps | YouTube will buffer |
| 3 to 7 Mbps | SD content |
| 7 to 13 Mbps | HD content |
| 13 to 25 Mbps | Multiple HD content with no buffer |
| More than 25 Mbps | 4K content |
Pro tip: If your Vizio TV can’t reach the maximum speed of your internet plan, consider using ethernet.
#6: Get a streaming device
Now, on to spending money.
Don’t worry. I promise you that it’s worth it.
What are you buying, you ask?
A streaming device that can install YouTube and connect to your TV through HDMI.
You might be wondering:
“I already have a smart TV. What’s the point of buying a streaming device?”
Streaming devices are great investments for these reasons:
- More secure.
- Better longevity.
- A wider range of apps.
- More regularly updated.
Convinced?
Let’s talk about options.
If I were to buy a new streaming device, here’s what I’m going to get:
- Apple TV.
- Nvidia Shield TV.
- Amazon Fire TV Cube.
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
- Chromecast with Google TV.
#7: Use your gaming console
Say you don’t want to spend money.
It’s okay to be frugal.
Can you still watch YouTube on your Vizio when the other fixes didn’t work?
The answer is a resounding yes. You have a lot of other options still.
One of which is to use your gaming consoles.
You heard that right…
Gaming isn’t the only thing you can do with your PlayStation or Xbox.
And all you need to do is install YouTube on your gaming console.
PS5
- Open your PS5.
- Head to Media.
- Select All Apps.
- Locate and press YouTube.
- Tap Install to confirm the install.
Note: You also need to turn on HDCP. What’s that?
HDCP stands for high-bandwidth digital copyright protection.
While it’s a mouthful, its function is actually straightforward:
It stops you from recording the content on your TV for distribution.
Most streaming apps, and YouTube, need this to be enabled before you can watch videos on your PS5.
Simply follow these instructions to do so:
- Head to your Settings menu.
- Go to System.
- Tap HDMI.
- Toggle on Enable HDCP.
Xbox Series X
- Press the RB button on your Xbox controller.
- Head to Apps.
- Select YouTube.
- Tap Install to confirm.
#8: Mirror your laptop
Do you have a spare HDMI cable lying around in your house? And do you have a laptop?
If so, you have everything you need to play YouTube on your TV.
How?
Simply connect your laptop to your TV using the cable.
This should automatically mirror the display on the laptop to your screen.
If not, then grab your remote and press the Source button. And then select HDMI.
Done? Now open YouTube on your browser and enjoy watching.
#9: Contact Vizio or Google
Hey now. It’s perfectly normal if you can’t fix the problem you’re facing.
You know what you could do?
Ask for help.
In this case, you can call Vizio or Google for all of your YouTube concerns.
Did Vizio remove YouTube?
Vizio didn’t remove YouTube. However, because of software upgrades to YouTube, some older Vizio TVs can’t use the app anymore. To see if your TV is one of those unlucky models, check the list under the section, “#1: Your TV can’t use YouTube anymore.”