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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSome links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
If YouTube is not working on a Windows 11 PC, first check whether the problem is the internet connection, YouTube itself, the browser, or video decoding. Confirm Wi‑Fi is connected, reload YouTube, and test the site in an Incognito window. Then work through the targeted fixes below—from reconnecting Wi‑Fi and clearing browser data to repairing Edge’s graphics or codec support.
Start with these quick checks
- Check the connection: select the Network, Sound, or Battery icons on the Windows 11 taskbar. Confirm Wi‑Fi is on and the network says Connected.
- Reload YouTube: select Reload in the error message or use the browser refresh button.
- Try another site: if other websites also fail, troubleshoot Windows networking before changing browser settings.
- Test another browser: if YouTube works in Chrome but not Edge, or vice versa, the problem is probably browser-specific.
- Lower the video quality: YouTube recommends lowering resolution when the selected quality exceeds the available bandwidth. Other devices sharing the connection can reduce the speed available to your PC. See YouTube’s playback troubleshooting guidance.
Run Windows 11’s network troubleshooter
Microsoft’s first recommended Windows 11 step is the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Follow its prompts and apply any recommended repair. Microsoft’s current instructions are in Fix Wi‑Fi connection issues in Windows.
Forget and reconnect to Wi‑Fi
A damaged or outdated saved network profile can prevent YouTube and other sites from loading correctly.
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi‑Fi.
- Select Manage known networks.
- Select your Wi‑Fi network and choose Forget.
- Reconnect to the network and enter its password.
Reset Windows networking from Command Prompt
Use this step when Windows reports that it is connected but websites still fail, or when DNS and TCP/IP networking may be corrupted. Open taskbar Search, type command prompt, select Run as administrator, and choose Yes. Run these commands in this order:
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netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdnsClose Command Prompt and restart Windows before testing YouTube again. These commands reset Winsock and TCP/IP, renew the IP address, and clear the DNS cache.
Check whether the PC can reach the router
This test separates a local Wi‑Fi problem from a modem, ISP, or wider internet problem.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run
ipconfig. - Find the value beside Default gateway.
- Ping that address. For example:
ping 192.168.1.1Replies mean the PC can reach the router. If YouTube still fails, the remaining fault may be the modem, internet provider, DNS service, or an upstream YouTube service. If the gateway cannot be reached, focus on Wi‑Fi, the network adapter, or the router.
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Restart the modem and router
For connection failures, Google recommends this sequence:
- Turn off the computer.
- Unplug the modem and, if separate, the wireless router.
- Wait about one minute.
- Reconnect the modem and wait for its lights to stabilize.
- Reconnect the router and wait for its lights to stabilize.
- Restart the computer and reload YouTube.
Use Network reset only when necessary
Windows 11’s current path is Start > Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. Select Reset now, then Yes. The PC restarts automatically.
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Network reset removes installed network adapters and restores their settings to defaults. You may need to reinstall VPN software, reconfigure Hyper‑V virtual switches, and reconnect to networks. Windows may also change saved networks to the Public profile. Because of these side effects, use it after the less disruptive connection and command-line fixes.
Fix YouTube in Google Chrome
Chrome problems can appear as a video that never loads, a blank or grey player, or a browser freeze or crash. Apply these fixes in order, testing YouTube after each one.
Test in Incognito mode
Select More > New Incognito window, open YouTube, and test a video. If playback works there, an extension, cached data, or browser profile setting is a likely cause.
Disable extensions
- Select More > Extensions > Manage extensions.
- Turn all extensions off.
- Return to YouTube and select Reload.
- If playback returns, enable extensions one at a time.
- When the failing extension is identified, select Remove.
Ad blockers can sometimes interfere with site playback, but YouTube’s guidance does not establish that every ad blocker causes videos to fail. Treat extensions as a troubleshooting variable rather than assuming one specific extension is always responsible.
Check JavaScript
YouTube requires JavaScript for normal playback. In Chrome, open More > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > JavaScript, select Sites can use JavaScript, then return to YouTube and select Reload.
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Clear Chrome’s cached data and cookies
- Select More > Delete browsing data.
- Choose a time range, such as Last hour, Last 24 hours, or All time.
- Select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
- Select Delete data, then reopen YouTube.
Deleting cookies can sign you out of websites, so keep account credentials available before choosing a broad time range.
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If extensions and stored data are not the cause, use More > Settings > Reset and cleanup > Restore settings to their original defaults > Reset settings.
Update Chrome
Select More > Update Google Chrome. If the option is not present, Google says Chrome is already current. Select Relaunch, then return to YouTube and select Reload.
Fix YouTube in Microsoft Edge
Edge may show a video with audio but no image, fail to play video entirely, work differently from Chrome, or display “Playback of protected content is not enabled.” These symptoms can involve graphics acceleration, codecs, HEVC support, or protected-media components.
Check graphics acceleration and video decoding
- Open
edge://settings/system. - Verify Use graphics acceleration when available is turned on.
- Restart Edge.
- Open
edge://gpuand check Video Decode. The expected value is Hardware accelerated.
To inspect the active decoder, open edge://media-internals while reproducing the problem. D3D11VideoDecoder or MediaFoundationVideoDecoder indicates hardware decoding; FFmpegVideoDecoder indicates software decoding.
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Investigate codec and HEVC failures
Edge supports H.264, VP8/VP9, and AV1. H.265/HEVC depends on a valid HEVC Video Extension and a working decoder path. XAVC and XAVC HS are not supported by the built-in Windows playback stack on Windows 10 or Windows 11.
If edge://gpu reports Failed to create HEVC decoder instance, License check for app failed (0xC00DB3B3), Microsoft identifies the HEVC extension or licensing path as the failure point. The supported repair is to reinstall the official HEVC Video Extensions package from the Microsoft Store.
For diagnostic purposes, PowerShell can list installed HEVC packages:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *HEVC* | Select-Object Name, PackageFullNameMicrosoft documents these removal commands when a damaged package must be removed before reinstalling it:
Get-AppxPackage *HEVC* | ForEach-Object { Remove-AppxPackage -Package $_.PackageFullName }
Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online |
Where-Object DisplayName -like "*HEVC*" |
ForEach-Object { Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName $_.PackageName }Restart Windows before reinstalling the official Store extension. Removing provisioned packages affects Windows image provisioning, so do not use these commands casually on a managed PC.
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Repair protected-content playback
Open edge://components and verify that Widevine Content Decryption Module is present. If protected content remains unavailable, close Edge and run this PowerShell command:
Remove-Item -Path "$env:LOCALAPPDATAMicrosoftEdgeUser DataWidevineCdm" -Recurse -ForceRestart Edge afterward. This targets the Edge user-profile Widevine folder; it does not fix ordinary Wi‑Fi or DNS failures.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Recognize YouTube-side errors
“Error loading the page, please try again.”
Select Reload in the error message or use the browser refresh button. YouTube says a rare service interruption can temporarily load a minimal version of the page: the video, title, channel name, view count, and publish date may remain visible while Like, Share, Download, the description, and comments are missing. If reloading does not help, try again later rather than repeatedly resetting Windows.
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YouTube recommends signing in, using the latest compatible browser, allowing ads or disabling ad blockers for testing, clearing cache and cookies, checking DNS settings, and restarting the device. Do not assume that replacing DNS with Google’s 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 is a universal YouTube fix: YouTube recommends verifying the preferred DNS servers and checking whether third-party software changed them, while Microsoft documents those addresses specifically for a DNS-related Edge update error.
Sign-in or age-related restrictions
Some content may require sign-in. YouTube also says signed-out users may be prevented from viewing certain videos involving offline-download attempts or some videos featuring minors. In those cases, the restriction is not necessarily a Windows 11, browser, or internet fault.
Reinstall the network adapter after a troublesome update
If the problem began after a Windows update and the network commands did not help, Microsoft’s next hardware-related step is to reinstall the adapter:
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Right-click the affected adapter and select Uninstall device.
- If shown, select Attempt to remove the driver for this device.
- Select Uninstall.
- Restart through Start > Power > Restart.
Windows may rediscover the adapter after restarting. If it does not, use the PC manufacturer’s support page or another device to obtain the correct network driver.
Which fix should you use?
| Symptom | Best next step |
|---|---|
| Other websites also fail | Run the Get Help network troubleshooter, reconnect Wi‑Fi, and test the default gateway. |
| YouTube works in Incognito | Disable extensions, then re-enable them individually. |
| Chrome shows a blank or grey player | Check JavaScript, clear cached data, reset Chrome, and update it. |
| Edge has audio but no picture | Check edge://gpu and edge://media-internals for decoder and acceleration status. |
| Edge reports protected content is not enabled | Check Widevine in edge://components and repair its profile folder if necessary. |
| Only some high-quality videos fail | Lower quality and investigate codec or HEVC support. |
| YouTube shows a minimal page or temporary error | Reload first and try again later if the service interruption continues. |
When to stop changing Windows settings
If the default gateway responds, other sites work, YouTube fails in multiple browsers, and YouTube displays a temporary-service message, further Windows resets are unlikely to help. Likewise, a sign-in requirement or unsupported protected video is different from a broken network connection. Match the fix to the symptom: repair connectivity only when connectivity is the problem, and investigate the browser’s decoder or extensions when playback fails inside one browser.
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