Is your perfect start to the day settling in with a fresh cup of coffee and catching up on the latest shows? The YouTube TV app on our TVs has become an essential part of our daily routine, bringing a world of entertainment right into our living rooms.
However, it’s not always smooth sailing. Sometimes, YouTube TV just doesn’t work as expected.
I’ve been there, and I know many others have too. Whether it’s a glitch in the morning news or a hiccup during a movie marathon, these issues can quickly turn a relaxing moment into a frustrating ordeal.
If you’re ready to tackle these YouTube TV challenges on your Samsung TV, let’s jump right into the solutions!
The Clever Fix:
To power cycle the TV, unplug it from the power socket, press the TV’s Power button for 30 seconds, and let it rest for a minute. After that, plug the TV back in.
What Causes YouTube TV to Not Work on Samsung TV?
If you have an older Samsung TV model, compatibility with YouTube TV might be a stumbling block.
Some of the older models like EH5300 or FH6200 might not be in sync with YouTube TV, which means you can’t access the YouTube TV app on these. If you’re unsure whether your model supports the app, a quick online check should clear things up.
However, if you’ve already been streaming YouTube TV on your Samsung TV, you can rule out compatibility as the culprit.
There could be other reasons such as an unstable internet connection, an outage, an outdated app or software, or even system glitches.
The good news is, apart from an outage, every other problem is solvable! So, there’s really no need to fret.
Do this before jumping in to the fixes
If it’s a malfunctioning streaming service app, I usually suggest starting with the basics – figure out if the issue is specific to your TV, or if it’s more widespread, like an outage.
Check if YouTube is down.
Visit the Downdetector to see if other users are experiencing the same problem.
You can also visit the YouTube TV official page or their social media accounts.
They usually post updates about it on their platforms to keep users informed and let you know if there’s any ongoing maintenance or resolution efforts on their end.
Now, if you determine that there is a YouTube TV server issue, all you can do is patiently wait for them to resolve it. Saves you time and trouble, right?
But if the problem seems isolated to your Samsung TV (no outage reported or the outage ended but your Youtube TV app is still not working), that’s when we’ll visit the fixes.
Pro tip: You might want to bookmark Downdetector in your phone’s browser. That way, you can easily check it whenever your streaming service app isn’t behaving.
How to fix YouTube TV app not working on Samsung TV
1.Power cycle the Samsung TV
Getting black screen whenever you try to launch YouTube?
Sometimes, the simplest solution can fix the issue on your Samsung Smart TV – power cycling usually does the trick.
Power cycling is like a power nap on your TV.
You allow it to rest for a bit, clearing out any lingering energy and minor system bugs. When it wakes up, it’s as if it’s rebooted with a fresh system.
To power cycle the TV, disconnect it from the power socket, press down the TV’s Power button for about 30 seconds, and allow it to sit idle for a minute. After the minute is up, reconnect the TV — this should refresh your connection.
The key is to wait a full minute.
Give this method a shot, particularly if a service outage has occurred but your YouTube TV app is still acting up.
2. Reset your Wi-Fi router
Just because this page is loading on your phone or laptop doesn’t necessarily mean your TV is getting a solid internet connection.
Having multiple devices hooked to the Wi-Fi all at once might be creating network congestion. Alternatively, a glitch in the internet connection could be messing with the functioning of the YouTube TV app.
Try resetting your Wi-Fi router to ensure seamless streaming of YouTube TV on your Samsung TV.
To reboot the router, disconnect it for about a minute, then plug it back in again.
Once you’ve done that, give the YouTube TV app another try.
If you can, connecting your TV with an Ethernet cable could provide a more stable and faster connection than relying on Wi-Fi.
If the connection issues persist or you keep experiencing lags and dropped connections, it might be time to ring up your Internet Service Provider.
3. Adjust the Date & Time Settings
If you’re skeptical about how adjusting the date and time can resolve the problem, let me explain it to you.
Changing the date and time settings on your Samsung TV can sometimes resolve issues with apps like YouTube TV due to the following reasons: certificate validation, data syncing, and time zone issue.
A lot of apps and services use certificates to establish secure connections. These certificates are valid for certain periods based on dates and times.
If your TV’s date and time settings are out of whack, it could lead to a certificate validation error, impeding the app’s ability to connect properly.
Also, if the time setting on your TV is off, it can affect data syncing. This could lead to syncing issues as apps need to sync with their servers based on timestamps.
As far as time zone issues go, certain content might be restricted or scheduled according to time zones. If your TV’s time zone setting is incorrect, it could affect the availability of this content.
Here’s how to adjust the date and time settings on your TV:
- Press the Menu button on your Samsung TV remote to access the main menu.
- Navigate to System > Time > Clock.
- Enable Auto in the Clock Mode settings to automatically sync your TV’s date and time settings with your internet connection.
If the problem persists, you can try setting the date and time manually by disabling Auto and entering the correct information.
After adjusting your date and time settings, check if YouTube TV is now working properly.
4. Update the YouTube TV app
Have you observed any issues with the YouTube app lately before it went completely not working, like it’s crashing unexpectedly or doesn’t even load the content at all?
In this case, an update could potentially resolve the issue.
The app developers might have identified and fixed the bug causing the crashes in the latest version.
By updating your YouTube TV app, you might find your viewing experience becomes a lot smoother, free from annoying crashes or loading woes.
Plus, if the app is outdated, it won’t be able to keep up with the latest changes on the YouTube streaming requirements.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open the app section on your Samsung Smart TV.
- Highlight and select YouTube TV.
- Click Update to start the app update.
Your TV will initiate the update process once Update is clicked.
If the app is updated, you will see Open instead of Update. There’s no update needed if this is the case.
Along the way, you will see the Auto update feature. If you haven’t yet enabled it, ensure to turn that on to keep your YouTube TV in the loop of latest software versions.
5. Update the Samsung TV’s firmware
The Samsung software developers might have the solution you need.
Updating the firmware can help because it might include bug fixes or compatibility patches that specifically address the issues you’ve been experiencing with YouTube.
In this way, your TV shall be able keep up with the latest updates of the YouTube app.
To check for a software update on your Samsung TV, follow these steps:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Navigate to the Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now.
If an update is available, your TV will automatically begin downloading it.
Remember to enable the Auto Update feature in the same menu so that your TV’s firmware stays updated without needing manual intervention.
This way, you can stay assured that your device is always running optimally.
6. Clear the YouTube TV app cache
App cache is temporary data that builds up over time. When too much cache accumulates or there are corrupted cache files, it will result in an app failing to function.
While “clearing” may sound like a big deal because it involves deletion, removing cache only erases the app’s temporary data stored on your device.
Doing this can free up space and boost your TV’s performance by increasing its speed, and you won’t lose any critical data.
Clearing the app’s cache could serve as another effective method to fix issues with your YouTube TV app.
To do this, follow the steps appropriate for your specific TV model.
2020 models and above
- Go to Home > Settings > All Settings > Support > Device Care > Manage Storage > (find and highlight) YouTube TV > View Details > Clear Cache.
2019 models
- Go to Home > Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > TV Device Manager > Manage Storage > (find and highlight) YouTube TV > View Details > Clear Cache.
7 Series TV
- Go to Home > Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > TV Device Manager > Manage Storage > (find and highlight) YouTube TV.
Samsung S/TL/Q TV Models
- Go to Home > Settings > Broadcasting > Expert Settings > HbbTV Settings > Clear Browsing Data > (select) Yes.
See if that fixes the problem.
7. Reinstall the YouTube TV App
If updating or clearing the app cache doesn’t resolve the issue, consider reinstalling the YouTube TV app.
By uninstalling and then reinstalling, you’re effectively wiping out any corrupted data that might be causing these playback issues.
Think of it as giving your YouTube app a fresh slate on your TV.
To reinstall YouTube TV app, follow these steps:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Apps > Settings (gear icon) > YouTube TV.
- Choose Reinstall.
If there’s no Reinstall option, choose Delete, then manually reinstall the app.
Just select the Search icon in the top-right corner of the screen, type in “YouTube,” pick YouTube from the list, and hit Install.
Once it’s reinstalled, hold down the Power button on your remote for 5-10 seconds. Let the TV restart and then see if your YouTube app is back in action.
Hopefully, your videos should now play without a hitch, wiping out your previous problem.
8. Reset Samsung Smart Hub
Let’s say you’ve been using your Samsung Smart TV to binge-watch videos on YouTube. Recently, you’ve noticed the YouTube app has been a bit glitchy. It’s slow to boot up, crashes often, and sometimes just flat out refuses to load your content.
If the earlier solutions didn’t do the trick, here’s another one.
Resetting your Samsung Smart Hub can revert your TV’s apps to their original state, and quite possibly get rid of any software bugs. This action can clear out any corrupted data or settings potentially causing YouTube to misbehave.
Bear in mind, this step means you’ll have to re-set your Smart TV and reinstall your apps.
Just follow the instructions specific to your TV model.
2023 model TVs
- Go to Home > Settings > All Settings > Support > Device Care > Reset Smart Hub.
- Input the TV’s PIN.
(If you didn’t change it, the default pin is 0000.)
2022 model TVs
- Go to Home > Menu > Settings > All Settings > Support > Device Care > Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub.
- Input the TV’s PIN.
(If you didn’t change it, the default pin is 0000.)
2020 and 2021 model TVs
- Go to Home > Settings > Support > Device Care Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub.
- Input the TV’s PIN.
(If you didn’t change it, the default pin is 0000.)
2016 – 2019 model TVs
- Go to Home > Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub.
- Input the TV’s PIN.
(If you didn’t change it, the default pin is 0000.)
If all your apps are giving you grief, resetting the Smart Hub might be the answer to all your woes.
9. Factory Reset the Samsung TV
If resetting the Smart Hub didn’t get the job done, then a factory reset surely will. This route will take your Samsung TV back to its default settings, potentially tackling any software-related issues you’re dealing with.
However, proceed with caution because performing a factory reset will erase all your personal settings and preferences.
Since your TV will return to its original, fresh-out-of-the-box state, you’ll need to set up your TV all over again post-reset. So, consider a factory reset as the last resort when all else fails.
To perform a factory reset on your Samsung TV, follow these steps:
- Press the Menu button on your Samsung TV remote to access the main menu.
- Navigate to Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset.
- Enter your TV’s PIN.
(The default PIN is usually 0000, but if you’ve changed it, enter your custom PIN.)
- Select Yes to confirm the factory reset.
Once the factory reset wraps up, set up your Samsung TV from scratch and reinstall the YouTube TV app.
After you’ve completed these steps, see if YouTube TV is back on track.
10. Contact the professionals
You might be grappling with a problem with your TV’s software.
Samsung’s friendly representatives are just a click or a call away!
Their official support page contains all ways you can communicate with the Samsung support team, including chat support, phone numbers, community forums, and social media links.
Choose the method that works best for you.
For your convenience, here’s their number: 1-800-726-7864. They’re at your service from 8 AM to 12 AM (EST), every day of the week.
When contacting Samsung, make sure you have the model number of your TV handy.
You can usually find the model number on a sticker at the back of your TV or in the user manual that came with it.
This information will enable their team to better understand the issue you’re facing and provide the most accurate assistance.
Moreover, don’t be shy about explaining the issue you’re having with YouTube TV in detail.
Let Samsung Support know what steps you’ve already taken to troubleshoot the problem and share any error messages you might have received.
The more information they have, the better they can help you resolve the issue.
Other Ways to Access YouTube TV
If your YouTube TV isn’t working on your Samsung TV, there are alternative ways to access and enjoy your favorite streaming content.
1. Use a streaming device
If you have a budget for a streaming device, go get one.
Not only do streaming devices grant access to apps your Samsung TV might not offer (like the Peloton app), but they also ensure compatibility with all streaming platforms.
Some of the well-liked choices include Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV.
This method allows you to bypass any issues your Samsung TV might have with the YouTube TV app and ensures a seamless streaming experience.
2. Connect a phone/PC to a Samsung TV
You also have the option to link your phone or computer directly to your TV to get to YouTube TV.
You could use an HDMI cable to connect your computer.
Ensure your computer’s display settings are adjusted to duplicate or extend your screen onto the TV.
Another way is via a USB cable (provided your Samsung TV supports USB viewing).
Once you’re all hooked up, launch the YouTube TV app on your device and get streaming!
3. Screen Mirroring
If your phone or computer supports screen mirroring, you can cast your screen to the TV.
Enable screen mirroring on your device and follow the instructions to connect it to your Samsung TV.
Got another Samsung TV problem?
CleverFixes.com can be your go-to resource for all things Samsung TV.
We’ve assembled guides tackling various Samsung TV issues, such as TV stuck on dark screen, with sound but no picture, no sound, keeps turning off every 5 seconds, and many more!
Besides the YouTube TV app, we’ve also covered fixes for other streaming services, including Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, etc.
If you’re grappling with issues regarding these apps too, feel free to explore our site.
Here’s a tip: To find articles specifically about your TV brand, simply open any article, then type “Samsung TV” into the “What are you looking for?” box on the right side of the screen.
Don’t forget to bookmark us for easy access to your tech guide needs!
Wrapping up
While enjoying YouTube TV, you might hit a snag, like the app refusing to work on your Samsung TV.
More often than not, these hitches are short-lived and can be solved with a simple power cycle of the TV. Just unplug it, wait for a minute, then switch it back on.
If that doesn’t get the job done, here’s a rundown of solutions you can try:
- Reset your Wi-Fi router
- Adjust the date & time setting
- Update the YouTube TV app
- Update the TV’s firmware
- Reinstall the YouTube TV app
- Reset Samsung Smart Hub
- Factory reset the Samsung TV
- Contact the professionals
I’m confident one of these can bring your YouTube app back to life, but I’m eager to know what worked for you.