YouTube not working on your TV: what to do
The YouTube app on a Smart TV won't open, videos spin forever or show "No connection". Causes for Samsung, LG, Android TV and set-top boxes, and how to get normal speed back.
A TV is the most awkward place for YouTube when the service is throttled: it asks for high-quality video, and installing a VPN on it is harder than on a phone. Step by step: what to check and how to get normal speed back.
Rule out the simple things first
- Does the TV have internet? Open another video app. If it plays, the problem is YouTube specifically.
- Update the app. Old YouTube versions on Smart TVs stop being supported.
- Date and time. With a wrong date, secure connections fail and YouTube says "No connection". Turn on automatic time.
- Real reboot. Unplug the TV for a minute: on many models the remote only puts it to sleep.
If YouTube then opens but videos load painfully slowly or never go above 360p, it's throttling and you need a workaround.
Why a TV has it worse than a phone
- It requests 1080p or 4K by default, and under throttling the video simply can't keep up.
- Samsung (Tizen) and LG (webOS) have no VPN apps in their stores.
- Built-in Wi-Fi on many TVs is weak.
Option 1. Android TV and set-top boxes
On Android TV, Google TV or an Android box, just install a VPN app on the TV itself. Surok's Android app works on Android TV. Turn on split routing so only YouTube goes through the VPN.
Option 2. VPN on the router
For Samsung, LG and other TVs without the Android store, the only full solution is a VPN on the router (Keenetic, OpenWrt firmware). Then the whole home, TV included, goes through the tunnel. Set up rules so only YouTube uses it.
Option 3. Mirror from your phone
Fastest with no setup: turn on the VPN on your phone and mirror the screen. Note: regular casting makes the TV download the video over its own connection, so the phone's VPN doesn't help. Only screen mirroring (Screen Mirroring, AirPlay mirroring) works.
What to choose
- Android TV or a box — a VPN app on the TV.
- Samsung or LG — VPN on the router, or an inexpensive Android box.
- Need it right now — mirror your phone screen.
More in VPN for your TV; Surok apps for every platform are on the download page.