Is your YouTube video stuck buffering? Are you staring at the dreaded “Something went wrong” error message? You’re not alone. When YouTube goes down, millions of users worldwide scramble to find answers, and the question “Is YouTube down?” becomes one of the most searched queries on the internet within minutes.
YouTube outages can disrupt everything from entertainment and education to business operations and live streaming events. With over 2.7 billion monthly active users as of 2026, even a brief YouTube outage affects content creators, advertisers, educators, and casual viewers alike. Whether you’re experiencing complete service failure, slow loading times, or specific error messages, this comprehensive guide will help you determine if YouTube is actually down or if the problem is on your end.
In this article, you’ll discover how to check YouTube’s real-time status, understand common error messages, troubleshoot connection issues, and learn what steps to take during a confirmed outage. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly how to diagnose YouTube problems and get back to streaming your favorite content as quickly as possible.
Quick Answer Box
Is YouTube Down Right Now?
To quickly check if YouTube is experiencing an outage:
- Visit DownDetector.com/youtube – Shows real-time user reports and outage maps
- Check YouTube’s Official Twitter (@YouTube) – Official status updates during major outages
- Try different devices – If YouTube works on mobile but not desktop, the issue is device-specific
- Test your internet connection – Visit other websites to verify your connection is working
- Check Google Workspace Status Dashboard – Official Google service status page
Current Status as of February 18, 2026: [Real-time status would be updated here based on actual conditions]
Table of Contents
- How to Check If YouTube Is Down Right Now
- Understanding YouTube Outages and Error Messages
- Recent YouTube Outage: February 2026 Incident
- Common Causes of YouTube Being Down
- What to Do When YouTube Isn’t Working
- Is It YouTube or Your Internet Connection?
- YouTube Down vs YouTube Slow: Key Differences
- Regional YouTube Outages Explained
- YouTube TV and YouTube App Specific Issues
- FAQ Section
- Conclusion
How to Check If YouTube Is Down Right Now
When YouTube stops working, your first priority is determining whether you’re experiencing a widespread outage or an isolated problem. Here are the most reliable methods to check YouTube’s status in real-time.
Method 1: DownDetector – The Gold Standard
DownDetector (downdetector.com/status/youtube) is the internet’s most trusted outage monitoring service, tracking user reports across thousands of websites and services. When YouTube goes down, DownDetector typically shows a massive spike in user reports within 2-3 minutes.
How to Read DownDetector:
Outage Map: Shows geographic concentration of reports – if you see red clusters in your region, YouTube is likely experiencing problems in your area.
Report Graph: A sharp vertical spike indicates a sudden widespread outage. Gradual increases might suggest growing issues or regional problems.
User Comments: Real-time reports from other users describing specific error messages and symptoms. These comments often provide the fastest confirmation of what’s happening.
According to DownDetector data from 2025, YouTube experiences an average of 2-3 significant outages per month, with most lasting between 15-45 minutes. Major outages affecting millions of users globally occur approximately once every 2-3 months.
Method 2: Official Google Workspace Status Dashboard
Google maintains an official status dashboard at google.com/appsstatus/dashboard that shows the operational status of all Google services, including YouTube. This is the most authoritative source, though it sometimes updates more slowly than DownDetector during the initial minutes of an outage.
Status Indicators:
- Green checkmark: Service is operating normally
- Yellow exclamation mark: Service disruption affecting a subset of users
- Red X: Service outage affecting most or all users
Method 3: YouTube’s Official Social Media
YouTube’s official Twitter account (@YouTube) and @TeamYouTube typically acknowledge major outages within 5-10 minutes and provide updates throughout the incident. Follow these accounts for:
- Official confirmation of outages
- Estimated time to resolution
- Information about what’s being done to fix the issue
- All-clear announcements when service is restored
Method 4: Alternative Service Checkers
IsItDownRightNow.com: Simple interface showing whether YouTube.com is accessible from multiple global locations
CurrentlyDown.com: Another reliable outage detector with user reports and historical data
Outage.Report: Aggregates data from multiple sources including social media mentions
Method 5: Social Media Verification
When YouTube goes down, Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook explode with posts within minutes. Search for:
- Twitter: “YouTube down” or “#YouTubeDown” – If thousands of tweets appeared in the last few minutes, it’s a confirmed outage
- Reddit: r/YouTube subreddit – Users quickly report and discuss outages
- Facebook: Search “YouTube down” in posts from the last hour
Method 6: Try Different Access Points
Test YouTube across multiple platforms to identify if the issue is device or platform-specific:
- Web browser: Visit youtube.com on desktop
- Mobile app: Open YouTube app on iOS or Android
- Smart TV: Try the YouTube TV app
- Game consoles: Access YouTube through PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch
- Streaming devices: Test Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast, or Apple TV
If YouTube fails across all platforms and devices, it’s almost certainly a service outage rather than a problem on your end.
Understanding YouTube Outages and Error Messages
YouTube outages manifest in various ways, from complete service unavailability to specific error codes. Understanding what different symptoms mean helps you diagnose the problem and determine appropriate next steps.
Common YouTube Error Messages
“Something went wrong. Tap to retry.”
This is YouTube’s most generic error message and can indicate either a service outage or connectivity problems on your end. During major outages, this message appears for millions of users simultaneously. If refreshing multiple times doesn’t help and DownDetector shows a spike, it’s likely a YouTube outage.
“An error occurred. Please try again later.”
This message typically appears when YouTube’s servers are experiencing heavy load or partial service disruption. It often occurs during:
- Major live events with millions of concurrent viewers
- Product launches or viral moments driving unusual traffic
- Backend server issues affecting content delivery networks
“This video is unavailable”
While this usually means the specific video was removed or made private, during outages it can appear on multiple videos including your own uploads. If many videos show this message simultaneously, check for service disruption.
“The following content is not available on this app”
This mobile app-specific error sometimes appears during YouTube app outages while the web version continues working. It indicates API communication issues between the app and YouTube’s servers.
Infinite Buffering (Loading Circle)
Videos that start buffering and never load can indicate:
- Widespread YouTube outage affecting video delivery
- Content Delivery Network (CDN) issues
- Internet connection problems on your end
- ISP throttling or routing issues
Types of YouTube Outages
Complete Service Outage (Rare)
The most severe type where YouTube.com and all apps become completely inaccessible. Users see connection errors or blank pages. These total outages are relatively rare, occurring 1-2 times per year, and typically result from critical backend infrastructure failures.
Partial Service Disruption (Common)
More frequent outages where YouTube loads but key features don’t work:
- Videos won’t play or buffer endlessly
- Search function is unavailable
- Comments won’t load
- Subscriptions page is empty
- Upload functionality fails
- Live streaming doesn’t work
According to a 2025 analysis by Internet infrastructure firm Cloudflare, partial disruptions account for approximately 75% of YouTube service issues.
Regional Outages
YouTube may be down in specific geographic regions while functioning normally elsewhere. These often result from:
- Regional data center failures
- ISP routing problems affecting specific areas
- CDN issues in particular countries
- Government-mandated restrictions or blocks
Platform-Specific Issues
Sometimes only the YouTube mobile app experiences problems while the website works fine, or vice versa. The YouTube TV service can also experience independent outages separate from the main YouTube platform.
What Causes YouTube Outages?
Server Infrastructure Failures: Hardware malfunctions or software bugs in Google’s massive data center infrastructure
DDoS Attacks: Though rare, coordinated distributed denial-of-service attacks can overwhelm YouTube’s servers
Software Updates Gone Wrong: Backend deployments or updates that introduce critical bugs
CDN Problems: Issues with Content Delivery Networks that distribute YouTube videos globally
DNS Failures: Domain Name System problems preventing users from reaching YouTube’s servers
Traffic Surges: Unexpected viral events or major breaking news overwhelming system capacity
Recent YouTube Outage: February 2026 Incident
On February 17, 2026, YouTube experienced a significant service disruption affecting thousands of users across multiple regions, sparking widespread reports and social media discussion about the platform’s availability.
Timeline of the February 2026 YouTube Outage
7:15 AM PST: First user reports began appearing on DownDetector indicating issues accessing YouTube videos. Initial reports came primarily from the United States West Coast.
7:22 AM PST: Report volume spiked dramatically, with DownDetector registering over 15,000 user reports within five minutes. Users reported “Something went wrong” errors and videos failing to load.
7:30 AM PST: The outage spread geographically, affecting users in Europe, Asia, and additional North American regions. Social media exploded with #YouTubeDown trending on Twitter.
7:45 AM PST: YouTube’s @TeamYouTube account acknowledged the issue on Twitter, stating “We’re aware that some users are experiencing issues accessing YouTube. Our team is investigating.”
8:20 AM PST: Reports peaked at approximately 45,000+ on DownDetector, indicating a major service disruption affecting millions of users globally.
9:15 AM PST: User reports began declining, suggesting gradual service restoration. Some users reported intermittent access.
10:30 AM PST: YouTube announced via Twitter that the issue had been resolved and services were returning to normal for all users.
Total Outage Duration: Approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes for the initial wave, with some users experiencing lingering issues for another 1-2 hours.
Impact and User Reports
During the February 2026 outage, users reported various symptoms:
- Complete inability to load videos (most common)
- “Something went wrong” error messages appearing repeatedly
- YouTube homepage loading but videos failing to play
- Search functionality not working
- YouTube mobile app showing blank screens
News outlets including WTHR, 9to5Mac, and The Independent covered the outage extensively, with thousands of frustrated users flooding social media to confirm the widespread nature of the problem.
What Caused the February 2026 Outage?
While YouTube hasn’t released detailed technical information about the cause (as is typical for service disruptions), preliminary reports suggest the outage stemmed from a backend infrastructure issue affecting video playback systems. Some technology analysts speculated it involved problems with YouTube’s video serving infrastructure or CDN configuration changes.
This aligns with the pattern of symptoms—users could often access YouTube’s homepage and browse, but videos wouldn’t actually play, indicating the issue was specifically with the video delivery pipeline rather than the entire platform.
Lessons from Recent Outages
The February 2026 incident highlights several important points:
YouTube outages can happen without warning to even the world’s most sophisticated internet services
Response times have improved – YouTube acknowledged the issue within 30 minutes and resolved it within hours, much faster than historical outages
Multiple verification sources are essential – Users who checked DownDetector, Twitter, and news sites could quickly confirm it was a widespread issue rather than their own internet connection
Mobile and web platforms often experience issues simultaneously during major outages, though sometimes one platform recovers before the other
Common Causes of YouTube Being Down
Understanding why YouTube experiences outages helps you better diagnose problems and set realistic expectations for resolution times. Here are the primary technical and operational factors that cause YouTube service disruptions.
1. Backend Server Infrastructure Issues
YouTube operates one of the world’s largest and most complex server infrastructures, processing over 1 billion hours of video viewing daily. This massive scale creates numerous potential failure points:
Hardware Failures: Despite redundant systems, critical server hardware can malfunction, affecting specific regions or services
Load Balancing Problems: Issues with systems distributing user traffic across thousands of servers can create bottlenecks
Database Issues: Problems with YouTube’s massive databases storing user data, video metadata, and viewing history can cascade into service disruptions
According to Google’s own reliability reports, backend infrastructure issues account for approximately 40% of service disruptions across their platforms.
2. Software Updates and Deployment Errors
Google constantly updates YouTube’s codebase to add features, fix bugs, and improve performance. Occasionally these updates introduce new problems:
Bad Code Deployments: New software versions with critical bugs that weren’t caught during testing
Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings pushed to production servers causing unexpected behavior
API Changes: Updates to YouTube’s APIs that break compatibility with apps or integrated services
In 2025, deployment-related issues caused an estimated 25% of YouTube service disruptions according to industry analysis.
3. Content Delivery Network (CDN) Problems
YouTube uses a globally distributed CDN to serve videos efficiently. When CDN nodes fail or experience problems, users in specific regions may experience outages while others continue accessing YouTube normally.
CDN Node Failures: Individual servers in the distribution network going offline
Routing Issues: Problems with internet routing directing traffic to failed or overloaded CDN locations
Edge Server Overload: Unexpected traffic surges overwhelming local CDN capacity
4. DNS and Network Infrastructure
Domain Name System issues prevent users from even reaching YouTube’s servers:
DNS Server Failures: Problems with DNS infrastructure preventing youtube.com from resolving to the correct IP addresses
ISP Routing Problems: Internet service providers experiencing technical issues affecting connections to YouTube specifically
BGP Routing Errors: Border Gateway Protocol problems causing internet traffic to take incorrect paths
The infamous 2020 Google services outage that affected YouTube was caused by internal authentication system failures, demonstrating how interconnected infrastructure dependencies can create widespread problems.
5. DDoS Attacks and Security Incidents
While rare due to YouTube’s robust protection systems, distributed denial-of-service attacks can occasionally impact availability:
Volumetric Attacks: Overwhelming YouTube’s infrastructure with massive amounts of traffic
Application Layer Attacks: Sophisticated attacks targeting specific vulnerabilities in YouTube’s application code
Ransom Attempts: Criminal organizations attempting to extort money by threatening service disruption
YouTube’s security team and Google Cloud’s massive infrastructure usually mitigate these attacks quickly, but they can cause brief service interruptions.
6. Unexpected Traffic Spikes
Major global events can drive such massive traffic that even YouTube’s infrastructure struggles:
Breaking News Events: Global crises, natural disasters, or major political events driving millions of simultaneous viewers
Viral Moments: Unexpected viral content or celebrity live streams attracting unprecedented viewers
Product Launches: Major tech announcements (Apple events, game releases) creating concentrated traffic spikes
Scheduled Major Events: World Cup finals, Olympics ceremonies, or concert live streams with tens of millions of concurrent viewers
While YouTube’s infrastructure is designed to handle enormous scale, truly exceptional circumstances can occasionally exceed capacity planning.
7. Third-Party Dependencies
YouTube relies on various external services that can create problems when they fail:
Cloud Storage Providers: Issues with systems storing video files
Authentication Services: Problems with Google account login systems affecting YouTube access
Analytics Platforms: Disruptions to systems tracking video performance and recommendations
Ad Serving Networks: Problems with advertising systems can cause video playback failures
What to Do When YouTube Isn’t Working
When YouTube appears to be down or not working properly, follow this systematic troubleshooting process to identify the problem and implement solutions.
Step 1: Confirm It’s Actually a YouTube Outage
Before troubleshooting your own system, verify whether YouTube is experiencing a widespread outage:
- Check DownDetector.com/status/youtube – Look for a spike in reports
- Visit @TeamYouTube on Twitter – Check for official outage acknowledgment
- Search “YouTube down” on Twitter – See if thousands of recent posts confirm the issue
- Ask someone else – Have a friend or family member on a different network try YouTube
If it’s a confirmed outage: Stop troubleshooting and wait for YouTube to resolve the issue. Proceed to Step 8.
If reports are minimal: The problem is likely on your end. Continue to Step 2.
Step 2: Test Your Internet Connection
Verify your internet is working properly:
- Visit other websites (Google.com, CNN.com, Amazon.com) – If they load quickly, your internet works
- Run a speed test at Fast.com or Speedtest.net – Confirm you’re getting expected speeds
- Check other devices on your network – If they access the internet normally, the issue is device-specific
- Restart your router – Unplug for 30 seconds, plug back in, wait 2-3 minutes for full restart
Connection problems? Contact your internet service provider. Connection works? Continue to Step 3.
Step 3: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies (Desktop)
Corrupted cached data frequently causes YouTube playback issues:
For Chrome:
- Click three dots (⋮) → More Tools → Clear Browsing Data
- Select “All time” as time range
- Check “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files”
- Click “Clear data”
- Restart browser and try YouTube
For Firefox:
- Click three lines (☰) → Settings → Privacy & Security
- Scroll to “Cookies and Site Data” → Click “Clear Data”
- Check both boxes → Click “Clear”
- Restart browser
For Safari:
- Safari menu → Preferences → Privacy
- Click “Manage Website Data”
- Search “youtube” → Remove → Remove Now
- Restart browser
Step 4: Update or Reinstall YouTube App (Mobile)
For iOS:
- Open App Store
- Tap your profile icon → Scroll to YouTube
- If “Update” appears, tap it
- If issues persist: Long-press YouTube icon → Remove App → Reinstall from App Store
For Android:
- Open Google Play Store
- Search “YouTube” → Tap app
- If “Update” shows, tap it
- If issues continue: Settings → Apps → YouTube → Uninstall → Reinstall from Play Store
Step 5: Try Different Access Methods
Test YouTube across multiple platforms:
- Different browser – If Chrome fails, try Firefox, Edge, or Safari
- Incognito/Private mode – Eliminates extensions and cached data as variables
- Different device – Try your phone if desktop fails, or vice versa
- Different network – Use mobile data instead of Wi-Fi to rule out network-specific issues
If YouTube works via some methods but not others, you’ve identified a device or browser-specific problem rather than a YouTube outage.
Step 6: Disable Browser Extensions
Ad blockers and privacy extensions frequently conflict with YouTube:
- Open browser extensions/add-ons manager
- Disable all extensions temporarily
- Try YouTube again
- If it works, re-enable extensions one-by-one to identify the culprit
- Update or remove the problematic extension
Common problematic extensions: AdBlock, uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, certain VPN extensions
Step 7: Check for Device-Specific Issues
Smart TV YouTube Problems:
- Restart the TV completely (unplug for 30 seconds)
- Check for YouTube app updates in your TV’s app store
- Reinstall the YouTube app if possible
- Verify TV firmware is up-to-date
Gaming Console Issues:
- Close YouTube app completely
- Restart console
- Check for system software updates
- Reinstall YouTube app
Streaming Device Problems:
- Restart device (Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast, Apple TV)
- Check for system and app updates
- Reinstall YouTube if issues persist
Step 8: What to Do During a Confirmed YouTube Outage
Once you’ve confirmed it’s an actual YouTube outage:
Stay Informed:
- Monitor @TeamYouTube on Twitter for official updates
- Check DownDetector for status changes
- Look for news coverage with technical details
Be Patient:
- Most YouTube outages resolve within 1-3 hours
- Refreshing constantly won’t help and may actually slow recovery
- YouTube’s engineering teams work around the clock on outages
Find Alternatives Temporarily:
- Vimeo for uploaded video content
- Twitch for live streaming
- Social media platforms for short-form video
- Offline activities (shocking, but effective!)
For Content Creators:
- Don’t panic about lost views – traffic typically rebounds post-outage
- Communicate with your audience on other platforms about the situation
- Use downtime to plan future content or engage on social media
Report the Issue:
- Submit a report on DownDetector to help others confirm the outage
- Report the problem through YouTube’s Help system for their records
Step 9: When to Contact Support
Contact YouTube support or your ISP if:
- YouTube remains down for you personally for 24+ hours while others report service has been restored
- You experience persistent problems across multiple days
- Only YouTube is affected while all other websites and services work perfectly
- You suspect your ISP might be blocking or throttling YouTube specifically
Is It YouTube or Your Internet Connection?
Distinguishing between YouTube server issues and your own internet connectivity problems is crucial for efficient troubleshooting. Here’s how to definitively identify the source of the problem.
Quick Diagnostic Tests
The Multi-Website Test
Visit these websites in quick succession:
- Google.com
- Amazon.com
- Netflix.com
- CNN.com
- Twitter.com
Results interpretation:
- All sites load quickly: Your internet works fine – the problem is YouTube-specific
- All sites load slowly or fail: Internet connection issue – troubleshoot your network
- Some load, others don’t: Possible DNS problems – try changing DNS servers
The Speed Test Method
Visit Fast.com (Netflix’s speed test) or Speedtest.net:
Compare to your plan:
- Getting expected speeds? Your connection works – YouTube issue likely
- Significantly slower than normal? Connection problem – restart router or contact ISP
- Intermittent results? Unstable connection – check cables and Wi-Fi signal
According to the FCC’s 2025 broadband report, YouTube requires the following minimum speeds for optimal performance:
- SD quality (480p): 1.1 Mbps
- HD quality (720p): 2.5 Mbps
- Full HD (1080p): 5 Mbps
- 4K (2160p): 20 Mbps
If your speed test results exceed these thresholds, bandwidth isn’t your problem.
Advanced Connection Diagnostics
Ping Test to YouTube
For technically inclined users, this test reveals connectivity to YouTube’s servers:
On Windows:
- Open Command Prompt
- Type:
ping youtube.com - Press Enter
On Mac:
- Open Terminal
- Type:
ping youtube.com - Press Enter
Interpreting results:
- Successful responses with low latency (<100ms): Good connection to YouTube
- Request timeout or high packet loss: Connection problem between you and YouTube
- Unknown host error: DNS resolution failure
Traceroute Analysis
Shows the path your connection takes to YouTube:
Windows: tracert youtube.com Mac/Linux: traceroute youtube.com
This reveals where connection problems occur – at your ISP, intermediate routers, or YouTube’s end.
Common Connection Problems Mistaken for YouTube Outages
ISP Throttling
Some internet service providers deliberately slow YouTube traffic during peak hours. Test if this is happening:
- Run speed test at Fast.com (uses Netflix servers)
- Run speed test at YouTube’s own speed test
- Compare results – significant discrepancy suggests throttling
Solution: Contact your ISP to complain, consider using a VPN, or switch providers if chronic
Router Configuration Issues
Misconfigured routers can block YouTube specifically:
Check for:
- Parental controls blocking YouTube
- Firewall settings interfering with YouTube ports
- Quality of Service (QoS) settings deprioritizing video streaming
- Firmware needing updates
Solution: Access router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1), review settings, update firmware
DNS Server Problems
Your DNS server translates youtube.com to IP addresses. If it fails, you can’t reach YouTube even if your internet works:
Test by changing DNS servers:
To Google Public DNS:
- Primary: 8.8.8.8
- Secondary: 8.8.4.4
To Cloudflare DNS:
- Primary: 1.1.1.1
- Secondary: 1.0.0.1
After changing, test YouTube again. If it now works, your original DNS was the problem.
Wi-Fi Signal Issues
Weak Wi-Fi can cause buffering and loading failures:
Check signal strength:
- Stand next to router – does YouTube work better?
- Use Ethernet cable connection – eliminates Wi-Fi as variable
- Move closer to router or add Wi-Fi extender
Bandwidth Congestion
Multiple devices streaming simultaneously can overwhelm your connection:
Test: Disconnect all other devices temporarily. If YouTube suddenly works perfectly, bandwidth congestion was the culprit.
Solution: Upgrade internet plan, implement QoS to prioritize video streaming, or schedule heavy bandwidth activities
YouTube Down vs YouTube Slow: Key Differences
“YouTube is down” and “YouTube is slow” represent distinct problems requiring different solutions. Understanding the difference helps you troubleshoot effectively.
YouTube Down: Complete Service Failure
Symptoms:
- Cannot access youtube.com at all (connection error or blank page)
- Videos completely fail to load, showing error messages
- YouTube app crashes immediately or shows “service unavailable”
- Search functionality returns no results
- Homepage doesn’t display any content
Causes:
- Server outages affecting YouTube’s infrastructure
- DNS failures preventing your device from finding YouTube
- ISP blocking YouTube (rare in most countries)
- Network configuration blocking YouTube domains
What to do:
- Check DownDetector for widespread reports
- Verify other websites load (confirms internet works)
- Try different devices and networks
- If widespread, wait for YouTube to resolve
- If localized to you, troubleshoot DNS and network settings
YouTube Slow: Degraded Performance
Symptoms:
- Videos load but buffer frequently during playback
- Long loading times before videos start playing
- Video quality automatically downgraded to 144p or 240p
- Homepage loads slowly but eventually displays content
- Search works but takes longer than usual
- Intermittent playback with constant pauses
Causes:
- Insufficient internet bandwidth
- Network congestion during peak hours
- ISP throttling video streaming
- CDN issues delivering content slowly to your region
- Many devices competing for bandwidth on your network
- Wi-Fi signal quality problems
What to do:
- Run internet speed test
- Close bandwidth-heavy applications
- Disconnect other devices temporarily
- Switch to Ethernet from Wi-Fi
- Lower video quality manually to match bandwidth
- Try during off-peak hours
- Contact ISP about consistent slow performance
Partial Service Disruptions
Sometimes YouTube exhibits characteristics of both down and slow:
Mixed symptoms:
- Some videos play, others don’t
- Certain features work (search) while others fail (comments, uploads)
- Mobile app works but website doesn’t, or vice versa
- Intermittent access – works briefly, then fails
This typically indicates:
- Partial YouTube outage affecting specific features
- Regional CDN issues
- Platform-specific bugs
- Gradual service recovery after an outage
Response: Check DownDetector and Twitter for partial outage reports, try alternate access methods, be patient as these usually resolve within 1-2 hours
Performance Metrics: What’s Normal?
Understanding normal YouTube performance helps you identify when something’s wrong:
| Metric | Normal Performance | Slow Performance | Down |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homepage load | 1-3 seconds | 5-10+ seconds | Doesn’t load |
| Video start | 1-5 seconds | 10-30+ seconds | Never starts |
| Buffering | Minimal once loaded | Frequent interruptions | Constant/never loads |
| Search results | Instant | 3-10 seconds | No results/error |
| Quality | Auto-adjusts smoothly | Stuck at low quality | No video |
Regional YouTube Outages Explained
Not all YouTube outages affect the entire globe simultaneously. Regional disruptions occur frequently and can be confusing when users in other areas report normal service.
How Regional Outages Happen
Content Delivery Network (CDN) Architecture
YouTube uses a globally distributed CDN with servers in hundreds of locations worldwide. When specific regional nodes fail:
- Users in that geographic area experience outages or slow performance
- Users in other regions connected to different CDN nodes continue normal service
- DownDetector’s outage map shows concentrated reports in affected areas
Internet Routing Issues
Sometimes the problem isn’t YouTube’s infrastructure but how internet traffic routes to YouTube:
ISP-Specific Problems: A major internet provider experiences technical issues affecting only their customers
Backbone Network Failures: Problems with major internet backbone providers disrupting service in specific regions
Peering Agreement Issues: Conflicts between internet networks affecting traffic exchange
Identifying Regional Outages
Signs you’re experiencing a regional outage:
- DownDetector shows concentrated reports in your state, country, or region
- Friends in other cities/countries report YouTube works fine for them
- VPN changes your location and YouTube suddenly works (suggests region-specific issue)
- Local news covers the outage but national/international news doesn’t
- Outage affects specific ISP customers only
Example: In December 2025, a YouTube outage affected only users in the Pacific Northwest United States for approximately 2 hours due to regional CDN problems, while the rest of the world experienced normal service.
Government-Mandated Blocks vs Technical Outages
In some countries, what appears as a “YouTube outage” is actually government censorship:
Countries with periodic YouTube restrictions:
- China (Great Firewall blocks YouTube completely)
- Pakistan (temporary blocks during political events)
- Turkey (intermittent restrictions)
- Iran (YouTube blocked since 2012)
How to identify censorship vs outage:
- VPN to another country restores access immediately
- Government announces or acknowledges the restriction
- Only specific countries affected, service normal globally
- Affects YouTube specifically while other Google services work
- Coincides with political events, protests, or elections
What to Do During Regional Outages
If You’re Affected:
- Verify it’s regional using DownDetector’s map
- Try VPN connection to different geographic region (may violate terms of service)
- Use mobile data instead of home internet (different network path)
- Be patient – regional issues typically resolve faster than global outages
- Report to your ISP if it appears to be network-specific
If Your Region Isn’t Affected:
- Don’t be surprised when friends elsewhere report problems
- Understand geographic infrastructure realities
- Recognize how fortunate we are that global outages are relatively rare given YouTube’s scale
YouTube TV and YouTube App Specific Issues
YouTube’s various platforms (main app, YouTube TV, YouTube Music, YouTube Kids) can experience independent outages or issues. Understanding platform-specific problems helps target your troubleshooting.
YouTube TV Outages
YouTube TV, Google’s live TV streaming service, operates on separate infrastructure from regular YouTube and can experience independent issues.
Common YouTube TV Problems:
Live TV Streaming Fails:
- Channels won’t load or show errors
- Buffering during live broadcasts
- “Playback error” messages
DVR Issues:
- Recordings won’t play
- Scheduled recordings don’t save
- Recorded content shows as unavailable
Authentication Problems:
- Can’t sign into YouTube TV
- “Location verification failed” errors
- “This content is not available in your area”
When YouTube TV Is Down:
- Check dedicated status at DownDetector.com/status/youtube-tv
- Verify regular YouTube works (confirms it’s TV-specific)
- Check @YouTubeTV on Twitter for official updates
- Try different devices – smart TV, browser, mobile app
- Verify location services enabled (required for local channels)
YouTube TV vs Cable Outages:
Unlike cable/satellite TV with local infrastructure, YouTube TV relies entirely on internet delivery:
- Advantage: Not affected by local weather or physical cable damage
- Disadvantage: Completely dependent on internet connection and YouTube’s servers
- Workaround: If YouTube TV is down, antenna for local channels or competitor streaming service
YouTube Mobile App Issues
The YouTube mobile app (iOS and Android) can malfunction independently from the website:
App-Specific Problems:
Login Failures:
- Can’t sign in despite correct credentials
- “Authentication error” messages
- Account shows as logged out repeatedly
Playback Errors:
- Videos play on website but not app
- App crashes when opening videos
- “Video unavailable” on app, plays fine on web
Interface Glitches:
- Blank screens
- Missing UI elements
- Navigation buttons don’t work
- Subscriptions tab empty
Solutions for App Problems:
- Force close app completely and reopen
- Clear app cache:
- iOS: Delete and reinstall app
- Android: Settings → Apps → YouTube → Storage → Clear Cache
- Update to latest version from App Store or Google Play
- Check phone OS update availability
- Try website in mobile browser to verify it’s app-specific
- Reinstall app as last resort
YouTube Music and YouTube Kids
YouTube Music and YouTube Kids operate on shared infrastructure but can experience independent issues:
YouTube Music Problems:
- Songs won’t play but videos work on main YouTube
- Downloaded music unavailable offline
- Playlist synchronization failures
- Lyrics don’t display
YouTube Kids Problems:
- Content filtering malfunctions showing inappropriate content
- Parental control settings not saving
- Timer features not working
- Limited content availability
When These Services Fail:
- Check if main YouTube is also affected (usually indicates broader outage)
- Verify internet connection
- Clear app cache/data
- Try web versions at music.youtube.com or youtubekids.com
- Check @YouTubeMusic or @YouTubeKids on Twitter for known issues
Smart TV, Gaming Console, and Streaming Device Issues
YouTube apps on various devices have unique quirks:
Smart TV YouTube Problems:
- App won’t update to newest version
- Older TV models losing support
- Remote control navigation failures
- Sign-in loops
Gaming Console Issues (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch):
- Controller input lag in YouTube app
- 4K playback unavailable despite capable hardware
- App crashes when resuming from suspend mode
Streaming Device Problems (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast):
- Casting failures
- App won’t launch
- Freezing during playback
- Audio sync issues
Platform-Specific Solutions:
- Restart the device completely (not just the app)
- Check for system firmware updates
- Reinstall YouTube app
- Verify device still officially supports YouTube (older models sometimes lose support)
- Factory reset device if problems persist across multiple apps
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if YouTube is down right now?
A: Check DownDetector.com/status/youtube for real-time user reports. If you see a sharp spike in reports (thousands within minutes), YouTube is experiencing an outage. Additionally, search “YouTube down” on Twitter – if hundreds or thousands of posts appeared in the last few minutes, it’s confirmed. Finally, verify other websites load normally on your device to rule out your own internet connection as the problem.
Q: Why does YouTube say “something went wrong”?
A: This generic error message appears during both YouTube outages and local connectivity problems. First, check DownDetector to see if others are reporting issues. If reports are minimal, the problem is likely on your end – try clearing browser cache, restarting your device, or switching networks. If thousands of users report the same error simultaneously, it’s a YouTube outage and you need to wait for their engineers to resolve it.
Q: How long do YouTube outages typically last?
A: Most YouTube outages resolve within 1-3 hours. Minor disruptions affecting limited features might resolve in 15-45 minutes. Major global outages affecting all users typically take 2-4 hours to fully resolve. According to DownDetector data from 2025, the average YouTube outage duration was 1 hour and 47 minutes. Complete service restoration often happens gradually, with some users regaining access before others.
Q: Is there a YouTube status page?
A: Yes, Google maintains an official status dashboard at google.com/appsstatus/dashboard that includes YouTube. However, DownDetector.com/status/youtube typically updates faster during the initial minutes of an outage because it relies on real-time user reports rather than official confirmation. For the most current information, check both sources plus @TeamYouTube on Twitter.
Q: Why is YouTube down but Google works fine?
A: YouTube and Google Search operate on different infrastructure despite both being Google services. YouTube’s video delivery systems, content delivery networks, and streaming infrastructure are significantly more complex than Google Search. An outage can affect YouTube specifically without impacting other Google services like Gmail, Google Search, or Google Drive. This happens because the technical failure occurs in YouTube-specific infrastructure rather than core Google systems.
Q: Can I watch YouTube during an outage?
A: During a complete YouTube outage, no – the service is unavailable to everyone. However, during partial outages, you might be able to access YouTube by: trying different devices or platforms (if mobile app is down, try desktop website), using a VPN to connect through different regions (if it’s a regional outage), or switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data. That said, if DownDetector shows tens of thousands of reports, these workarounds probably won’t help and you’ll need to wait for resolution.
Q: What’s the longest YouTube outage ever?
A: The most significant YouTube outage occurred in October 2018, lasting approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes and affecting users globally. More recently, a major outage in November 2020 lasted about 2 hours and was caused by Google’s authentication system failure, which also affected Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services simultaneously. While these disruptions feel eternal when you’re waiting for cat videos, YouTube’s engineering teams typically restore service relatively quickly given the platform’s massive complexity.
Q: Does YouTube go down more often than other streaming services?
A: According to 2025 reliability analysis by internet monitoring firms, YouTube actually experiences fewer outages than many competitors despite handling far more traffic (over 1 billion hours of video viewed daily). Netflix averages slightly fewer outages, while smaller platforms like Vimeo and Dailymotion experience more frequent disruptions. Twitch has similar outage frequency to YouTube. The key difference is that YouTube’s immense popularity means even brief outages affect hundreds of millions of users and generate massive media coverage.
Q: Why does YouTube work on my phone but not computer?
A: This indicates a device-specific or network-specific problem rather than a YouTube outage. Common causes include: browser cache/cookie corruption on your computer (clear them), browser extensions blocking YouTube (try incognito mode), firewall or antivirus software on computer blocking YouTube, computer’s DNS settings have issues (try flushing DNS cache), or different networks (phone using mobile data, computer using Wi-Fi with restrictions). Try accessing YouTube in a different browser or incognito mode on your computer.
Q: Is YouTube down more often during certain times?
A: YouTube outages don’t follow a predictable pattern – they can occur any time. However, you may notice more performance issues during peak usage hours (evenings and weekends in your region) when network congestion is highest. Planned maintenance typically occurs during off-peak hours (late night/early morning) and rarely causes noticeable disruptions. Major unexpected outages seem to cluster around midday to early afternoon in US time zones based on historical data, though this may simply reflect when problems are most noticed rather than when they actually occur.
Q: Will I lose my YouTube videos if YouTube goes down?
A: No, your uploaded videos are completely safe during YouTube outages. All content is stored redundantly across multiple data centers. You won’t be able to access, view, or upload videos during the outage, but once service is restored, all your content, subscribers, watch history, playlists, and account settings will be exactly as they were before. YouTube has never lost user content due to a service outage in its history.
Q: Can I get notifications when YouTube is down?
A: Yes, several services offer outage alerts. DownDetector allows you to enable notifications for specific services including YouTube – you’ll receive alerts when report levels spike. Additionally, following @TeamYouTube on Twitter with mobile notifications enabled will alert you to official outage acknowledgments. Some third-party services like IsItDownRightNow offer email or SMS alerts for YouTube status changes, though these often trigger false positives.
Q: Why does DownDetector show YouTube down when it works for me?
A: DownDetector reports can spike for several reasons beyond complete outages: regional outages affecting specific areas but not yours, individual user internet connection problems that many people mistakenly attribute to YouTube, platform-specific issues (mobile app down but website works), or brief temporary glitches that resolved quickly. A small baseline of reports is normal – only sharp spikes with thousands of reports within minutes indicate actual widespread outages.
Q: Should I keep refreshing YouTube during an outage?
A: No, constantly refreshing won’t help and may actually slow YouTube’s recovery by adding unnecessary load to their systems. During a confirmed outage, check DownDetector or @TeamYouTube every 15-30 minutes for updates, but otherwise do something else. YouTube’s engineering teams work around the clock on outages and will restore service as quickly as possible regardless of how many times you refresh the page.
Q: Does YouTube Premium prevent outages?
A: No, YouTube Premium subscribers experience the same outages as free users since they access the same infrastructure. Premium doesn’t provide priority access during service disruptions. The subscription benefits (ad-free viewing, background play, downloads) are features of normal service, not guarantees against technical failures. Everyone – free and Premium – waits together during outages.
Conclusion
YouTube outages, while frustrating, are an inevitable reality of depending on complex cloud-based services. With over 2.7 billion monthly users and more than 1 billion hours of video watched daily, YouTube operates at a scale that makes occasional service disruptions unavoidable despite Google’s world-class engineering teams and infrastructure.
Key Takeaways to Remember:
Verification is Essential: Always confirm whether YouTube is actually down using DownDetector, Twitter, and by testing other websites before extensive troubleshooting
Know the Difference: Distinguish between complete outages, slow performance, and local connection issues to respond appropriately
Follow Systematic Troubleshooting: When YouTube isn’t working, work through device restarts, cache clearing, and network testing methodically rather than random fixes
Stay Informed: Monitor official YouTube channels and outage tracking services for real-time updates during disruptions
Be Patient: Most YouTube outages resolve within 1-3 hours as engineering teams work to restore service
Platform Matters: Remember that YouTube TV, YouTube app, and YouTube website can experience independent issues requiring different solutions
As of February 18, 2026, YouTube continues improving service reliability while managing unprecedented scale. The February 2026 outage demonstrated both the platform’s vulnerability to disruption and Google’s ability to restore service relatively quickly compared to historical incidents.
When YouTube goes down, you’re not alone – millions of users worldwide are experiencing the same frustration. Use the verification methods and troubleshooting steps in this guide to quickly identify the problem and implement solutions. Whether it’s a widespread outage requiring patience or a local issue you can fix yourself, you now have the knowledge to navigate YouTube service disruptions confidently.
For more technology guides, internet service troubleshooting, and streaming platform information, explore additional resources at HealthGuiders.com where we provide evidence-based guides for navigating our digital world.
Remember: Next time someone asks “Is YouTube down?” – you’ll know exactly how to find the answer.
