Key Takeaways

  • Clearing the cache on the YouTube app or web browser can help resolve technical issues without deleting preferences or data.
  • On Android, navigate to the YouTube app in the settings, tap on "Storage and cache," and choose "Clear cache."
  • On desktop, you can't clear the cache for a specific website, so you'll have to clear the cache for all websites.

Whether you're binging vlogs or learning how to put a cabinet together, nothing's worse than a technical issue interrupting your YouTube viewing.

If things aren't working quite right on the app or desktop site, clearing your cache is a good place to start. Don't worry; clearing the cache won't remove your preferences or data; it'll just get rid of the app's temporary files.

In this article, we'll take you through the process of clearing your cache on Android or your web browser. Unfortunately, the iOS app doesn't allow you to clear the cache, but you can get similar results by reinstalling it, and we'll walk you through that process, too.

Clearing the YouTube app cache on Android

The exact steps will vary slightly between different phone manufacturers, but the basic process will be the same across the board.

  1. Open your phone's settings app and navigate to Apps or Apps and Notifications.
  2. Find the YouTube app in the list and select it.
  3. On the YouTube app page, tap on Storage and cache.
  4. Then, choose Clear cache.

Once that's sorted, you can head back to the YouTube app to see if your issues are resolved. Fingers crossed!

How to clear your cache on YouTube photo 2
Pocket-lint

Clearing the YouTube cache on desktop

On desktop, things work a little differently; you can't clear the cache of a specific website, so you'll have to clear the cache for all websites at the same time.

We've got instructions for the most popular web browsers listed below:

Google Chrome

  1. At the top right of your browser window, click the three dots.
  2. Select More tools, then Clear browsing data.
  3. At the top, choose a time range. To delete everything, select All time.
  4. Next to "Cached images and files," check the box.
  5. Click Clear data.

Apple Safari

  1. Click on Safari at the top left, next to the Apple icon.
  2. In the drop-down menu, choose Preferences.
  3. Navigate to the Advanced tab in the preference menu.
  4. Check the box next to the Show Develop menu in the menu bar.
  5. Go back to the menu bar up top and click Develop.
  6. In the drop-down menu, click Empty Caches.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Click on the menu icon (three horizontal lines).
  2. Go to Privacy and security.
  3. In the Cookies and Site Data section, click Clear Data.
  4. Uncheck the box next to Cookies and Site Data.
  5. Click the Clear button.

Clearing YouTube cache on iPhone and iPad

As we mentioned up top, there's no way to clear your cache on iOS, but deleting the app and reinstalling it might achieve similar results. At the very least, removing YouTube's temporary files will free up some space.

Here's what you need to do:

  1. Find the YouTube app on your home screen
  2. Tap and hold the YouTube app icon.
  3. Choose Remove App.
  4. Confirm by tapping to Delete App.
  5. Once it has been removed, download YouTube from the App Store.
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Its Now Even Easier To Loop Youtube Videos Heres How image 1Other YouTube troubleshooting tips

If you're still having issues with YouTube, there are a few other things you can try. Here are some solutions that might help.

Check your network

Are you sure that your internet is working? If you're reading this, we'd imagine so, but if you're trying to watch YouTube on a separate device, then a good first step is to ensure that it's connected to the Wi-Fi or has adequate cellular signal. If your network has a filter that blocks adult content, this could potentially cause issues, too.

Check for updates

Make sure your YouTube app and/or browser have the latest updates applied. This is good practice in general, but it will also limit compatibility issues, which might be at the root of your problem.

Sign in to YouTube

Some content on YouTube is age-restricted, so if you aren't signed in, it might not allow you to watch it. Assuming you're old enough, sign in to your YouTube account, and you'll be able to watch.

Restart your device

The classic troubleshooting advice parroted by every IT worker for decades still holds true today. If you're experiencing weird issues, it's always worth turning your device off and back on again to see if it solves the problem.