9 Solutions to YouTube Not Working on Chrome

by Aria Ford

Updated on 2025-04-11

11 views

5min read

YouTube is a universal go-to destination for watching free content online. But have you ever experienced the “loading” screen when watching YouTube on Chrome? Yes, it can happen frequently, and one must say that it is frustrating. Would you like to know why YouTube is not working on Chrome? YouTube lovers would love to know why and how to resolve the issue. Let's discuss nine solutions to YouTube not working on Chrome.

This article also touches upon a unique solution that helps you to download movies and other videos from online streaming platforms like YouTube for offline viewing.

download movies | youtube not working on chrome

Part 1: Why Does YouTube Suddenly Not Work on Chrome?

“YouTube Not Working On Chrome!" Is it new? No. It happens, but knowing why and how to resolve the problem is important. How do you know that YouTube is not working on Chrome? You can see the videos refusing to play or getting stuck at a specific point. The reasons can vary from a weak internet connection to accumulated cache and outdated software to annoying browser extensions. These issues interfere with your viewing experience because people use YouTube for entertainment, educational purposes, and earning a living. It can be highly frustrating to find YouTube repeatedly becoming unresponsive. This article examines the causes and also explains how to resolve the issue.

YouTube Not Working On Chrome | youtube not working on chrome

Part 2: YouTube Not Working on Chrome — Specific Causes

Let’s understand the primary causes of YouTube not working on Chrome and how they impact your YouTube viewing experience.

1. Corrupted browser cache and cookies

Whenever you visit YouTube, it saves cookies on your system to enable you to access the site better the next time. The cache stored on your system helps speed up loading time by reducing the need to download the same data every time you visit YouTube. These cookies and cache files can get corrupted, one of the prime reasons YouTube is not working on Chrome.

Corrupted browser cache | youtube not working on chrome

2. Adblockers interfering with YouTube

Your Chrome browser usually has various extensions that help you open specific programs comfortably. For example, almost everyone has “Ad blockers” installed on Chrome. Such extensions can interfere with YouTube and hamper its ability to work.

interfering with YouTube | youtube not working on chrome

3. Outdated Chrome version

You may have an outdated version of Google Chrome on your system. Older versions can have bugs, which can cause problems like YouTube not working on Chrome.

Outdated Chrome version | youtube not working on chrome

4. Slow or sluggish network connection

Check your internet connection. It could have snapped or become sluggish. YouTube videos will load slowly when you have poor network connectivity. Under such circumstances, the screen displays the "loading" icon.

sluggish network connection | youtube not working on chrome

5. CPU conflicts

Incompatible hardware, like your GPU, might not work correctly with your CPU, causing video playback issues. As a result, YouTube crashes frequently on Chrome.

CPU conflicts | youtube not working on chrome

6. Misconfigured Chrome settings

Check your Chrome settings. They could have been misconfigured. For example, your default search engine could have changed, or you might see the screen that your connection is not private. These issues can result in "YouTube not working on Chrome."

Misconfigured Chrome settings | youtube not working on chrome

7. Malware issues

Malware could have affected your computer. Sometimes, malware can bypass antivirus firewalls, especially if you have not updated or renewed your antivirus subscription. Under such circumstances, YouTube might not function properly.

affected your computer | youtube not working on chrome

Part 3: Troubleshooting YouTube Not Working Error on Chrome

We have examined seven causes for YouTube not functioning correctly on Chrome. Don't worry. It can happen to anyone. What is more important is to know how to deal with such a situation if it arises. Let’s discuss nine solutions to troubleshoot YouTube issues.

Method 1. Clear cache and cookies

Clearing your cache and cookies can help resolve this issue.

Step 1: On Windows, press “Ctrl + Shift + Delete.” On Mac, press “Cmd + Shift + Delete.”

Step 2: Select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies.”

Step 3: Click “Clear Data.”

Step 4: Restart Chrome.

Restart Chrome | youtube not working on chrome

Method 2. Disable Chrome extensions

Turning off troublesome extensions can reduce interference with YouTube.

Step 1: Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar.

Step 2: Select the troublesome extensions, especially ad blockers, one by one.

Step 3: Refresh YouTube. It should work properly.

Refresh YouTube | youtube not working on chrome

Method 3. Update Chrome

If you use an older version, update it to the latest one.

Step 1: Go to chrome://settings/help

Step 2: Check if an update is available. Chrome usually auto-updates if available. Otherwise, update Chrome to the latest version.

Step 3: Relaunch Chrome. YouTube should start functioning.

Update Chrome | youtube not working on chrome

Method 4. Check internet connection

Refreshing your network connection can resolve connectivity issues.

Step 1: Restart your router.

Step 2: Check other websites to confirm the issue is "YouTube-specific."

Step 3: Use Incognito Mode (Ctrl + Shift + N) to test the connection without cache or extensions.

Check internet connection | youtube not working on chrome

Method 5. Disable hardware acceleration

Turning off hardware acceleration can resolve CPU conflicts and YouTube streaming issues.

Step 1: Go to chrome://settings/system

Step 2: Look for "Use hardware acceleration when available" and turn it off.

Step 3: Restart Chrome.

Restart Chrome | youtube not working on chrome

Method 6. Reset Chrome settings

Restoring Chrome settings to their original defaults can ensure YouTube functions properly.

Step 1: Go to chrome://settings/reset

Step 2: Click the option "Restore settings to their original defaults."

Step 3: Confirm your action.

Step 4: Restart Chrome.

Restart Chrome | youtube not working on chrome

Method 7. Check for malware and viruses

Ensure your antivirus and firewall are current. Then, run a scan to remove malware.

Step 1: Open your antivirus software.

Step 2: Run a detailed scan. It removes malware and cleans your system.

Step 3: Restart Chrome.

Restart Chrome | youtube not working on chrome

Method 8. Try another browser or device

Try streaming YouTube on another browser or device like your mobile. It can help if your original device is faulty.

streaming YouTube | youtube not working on chrome

Method 9. Reinstall Chrome (as a last resort)

If the above solutions do not work, reinstall Chrome as a last resort.

Step 1: Uninstall Chrome—Open Control Panel, navigate to "Programs and Features, " find "Google Chrome," click on it, and select "Uninstall."

Step 2: Remove User Data – Go to C:\Users\your name\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome. Delete “User Data.”

Step 3: Download Chrome—Open another browser. Visit Google Chrome's official website. Click Download and save the respective files to your computer.

Step 4: Install Chrome—Click on the downloaded folder and follow the instructions on the screen to install Google Chrome.

Step 5: Restore Settings—Open Chrome and sign in with your Google account. Your settings will be restored automatically.

reinstall Chrome | youtube not working on chrome

Part 4: How to Watch YouTube When Blocked by Administrator?

YouTube is a free online streaming platform where users can contribute with their own content. Some nations can find it objectionable for various reasons, such as national security. For example, China has blocked YouTube since 2009. Similarly, North Korea, Iran, and Turkmenistan have blocked the platform from functioning inside their geographical borders. Even Pakistan and Bangladesh have temporarily banned YouTube in the past.

Watch YouTube When Blocked | youtube not working on chrome

But do you know that the administrator can block YouTube for other reasons? Under such circumstances, YouTube will not run on Google Chrome. We will discuss a solution to this problem as well. However, before that, let us understand why an administrator blocks YouTube.

Other Reasons Why Administrators Block YouTube:

  • Workplace or School Restrictions: YouTube is an entertainment platform that doubles as an educational channel. However, watching YouTube can distract students and employees, affecting their output. So, administrators can block YouTube and prevent it from running on your devices.
  • Network Security: YouTube is an open-to-air online streaming platform where users can contribute content. Some organizations, such as Government departments, offices, and security agencies, find YouTube threatening because it allows malware or spyware to penetrate their networks. Hence, administrators can ban YouTube from sensitive locations.
  • Content Filtering: Since outsiders can access YouTube and post their content on the platform, it can violate user privacy. Educational institutions can find the content inappropriate, so administrators can block YouTube from their premises to restrict access to non-educational content.
  • Bandwidth Management: Online streaming consumes a lot of bandwidth. That can affect the smooth network performance of other essential tasks. Therefore, administrators can restrict or block YouTube.

Bandwidth Management | youtube not working on chrome

Here is a unique, legitimate solution that allows users to watch YouTube and download videos even if blocked by an administrator. One-stop Streaming Video Downloader—StreamFox for Video Downloader is a software tool that lets users permanently download movies, TV shows, and other videos from multiple online streaming platforms on their compatible devices for offline viewing.

StreamFox Users can download the software and use it legally. Its features and benefits make it an ideal alternative for downloading YouTube videos, even if an administrator blocks them.

  • StreamFox enables users to download videos 10 times faster than other downloaders.
  • Users can personalize their videos by selecting their preferred video output modes, adding subtitles, and changing the resolution to satisfy storage concerns.
  • Users can download YouTube videos permanently on their devices and transfer them to external hard disks or pen drives. They can also share with friends on Discord and other platforms.
  • Users can simultaneously download entire TV serial season episodes using the batch downloads facility.

Step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Open StreamFox and select YouTube as the preferred online streaming platform from the options flashed on the screen.

preferred online streaming platform | youtube not working on chrome

Step 2: To download videos, you must have a premium YouTube account. For your convenience, you can access your YouTube account through a StreamFox-integrated browser.

download videos | youtube not working on chrome

Step 3: Search for your desired YouTube video and drag the title inside the red box, “Add to Queue.”

desired YouTube video | youtube not working on chrome

Step 4: If your TV show has multiple videos, you can add them to the download list in bulk.

Step 5: Select the video resolution from 360p to 1080p, depending on your preferences and storage capacity. StreamFox chooses 1080p by default, but you can change it manually.

Select the video resolution | youtube not working on chrome

Step 6: Customize your video output by selecting the preferred format from the dropdown box. Check all the boxes and click “Convert All” to download multiple videos simultaneously.

Customize your video output | youtube not working on chrome

Step 7: Access the “Finished” section to locate your saved downloads.

locate your saved downloads | youtube not working on chrome

Part 5: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What should you do if the browser keeps loading when watching YouTube on Chrome?

You cannot watch YouTube properly if the browser keeps loading continuously. The right approach to the problem is to investigate why this happens. It could be due to poor connectivity, software conflicts, outdated browsers, malware issues, accumulated cache files, or troublesome Chrome extensions. Accordingly, you can resolve the problem using the steps highlighted in this article.

Q2. Can we prevent ads from disturbing the viewing experience on YouTube?

The best way to prevent ads from disturbing the viewing experience on YouTube is to subscribe to YouTube Premium. That eliminates the ads issue.

Q3. Does YouTube work on iPhones or iPads?

Yes. YouTube works on iPads and iPhones. You can use the YouTube app, which is available in the Apple App Store. Download and install it on your device. Login to YouTube through the app and have a great time watching It. Alternatively, you can access YouTube through Safari and other browsers. The functionalities are the same on the app and the browser version.

Conclusion

YouTube is one of the most accessible online streaming platforms for free videos. However, for various reasons, YouTube does not always work on Chrome, which we have discussed in this article. More importantly, we have also explained how to overcome the issue of "YouTube not working on Chrome." Viewers can also benefit from using StreamFox to download YouTube videos on their devices and enjoy them offline.

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