Resolving the "Something Went Wrong" YouTube Error (iOS and Mac) (r) (r)

Jul 4, 2023
Learning how to fix the "something went wrong in YouTube" error

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YouTube is the most frequently utilized video sharing platform on the internet today and is used by hundreds of millions of people daily. Unfortunately, it isn't immune to occasional issues. The "Something was Wrong" error is one of the most frequently encountered errors that users will encounter whenever things aren't functioning in the way they ought to.

It can also be difficult to read this kind of vague information because it doesn't give viewers much info on how to correct the issue which appears to be wrong.

So, what can you do if you encounter the all-too-common YouTube error message?

In this post, we will provide an in-depth and complete guide on how to fix the "Something Went Wrong" error that appears on YouTube on desktops and mobiles devices. In addition, we will discuss the possible causes of the error and provide tips on how to avoid it at some point in the future. At the end of this article, you'll understand the reasons you're seeing this error, and you'll know exactly what steps you need to do to correct it right now.

What is the "Something Went Wrong" Error on YouTube?

If you're an YouTube user, you have most likely experienced the "Something was Wrong" error message several times. This error can appear when you're launching a video while watching the video, or trying to perform a certain move using the platform. The error signifies a technical issue that stops YouTube from loading and playing the video exactly as you would expect.

Whether you're using the YouTube site or mobile application, you may see slightly different versions of messages. It could be "An error has occurred. Please try again later" on your desktop, or "Tap to try again" from your iPhone.

This error can disrupt the playback of your videos and limit the access you have to specific functions on YouTube. This isn't all.

No matter if you're an end user or a host, finding the cause of these errors is the first step to finding the root of the issue.

The Something went wrong error on the iOS YouTube app
The app was not working properly. the iOS YouTube app

What causes a "Something Went Wrong" YouTube Error?

  • Low cellular connectivity: When you have an unstable or weak cell phone network this can affect the proper functioning of YouTube and lead to this error.
  • Slow WiFi: Similar to cellular service A slow or insecure WiFi connection may contribute to the occurrence of the error.
  • Outdated YouTube version: Using an outdated YouTube app could cause compatibility issues and cause errors.
  • Outdated browser: If you encounter an error when you try to access YouTube in a desktop browser this may be because of an outdated version.
  • App-related glitches There are times when a glitch or temporary issue inside the YouTube application itself could trigger an error.
  • Software issues Like all software, YouTube can have occasional bugs that affect its functionality.
  • Software Beta Beta version of the YouTube app on your device or its operating system increases the likelihood of running into issues.
  • Server problems: Sometimes, the error may be caused by problems with the server's temporary configuration on YouTube.

Understanding these common causes of the "Something Went Wrong" YouTube error will enable you to determine the cause of the problem and then take the appropriate action to resolve it, ensuring an improved YouTube experience.

Why Do Servers Go Down?

Servers may go offline because of a myriad of causes for instance:

  • Maintenance The planned maintenance actions performed by YouTube or hosting service providers could lead to temporary server outages.
  • Issues with software or hardware: Servers may experience malfunctions or errors in hardware components or software systems and cause sudden interruptions.
  • Increased traffic A sudden increase in user traffic, such as during major events or viral videos, may overload servers and lead to temporarily downtimes.
  • Natural disasters, or power outages Unpredicted events such as natural disasters, power outages or even power failures can physically damage servers or disrupt the infrastructure, resulting in delays.

Where Can You Find Out the reason YouTube Servers are Down?

9 Tips to Resolve the "Something Went Wrong" YouTube Error on Mobile (iPhone as well as iPad)

Encountering the "Something Went Wrong" error appearing on YouTube can be a bit frustrating but there are steps you can take to fix it for your iOS mobile device. Here are nine ways to fix this error so that you can enjoy uninterrupted YouTube videos with either your iPhone and iPad.

Turn Airplane Mode On/Off (Disconnect/Reconnect to WiFi or Cellular)

  1. Scroll down from the upper-right edge of your screen (iPhone X or later) or swipe up at the bottom of your screen (iPhone 8 and older) to access Control Center. Control Center.
  2. Tap the icon of an airplane to turn on Airplane Mode. Take a couple of seconds, after that, tap the airplane icon again to disable Airplane Mode.
  3. After you've disabled Airplane Mode, reconnect to the WiFi network or your cellular data by navigating to Settings > WiFi, or Settings > Cellular and then selecting the network you want to connect to.
  4. Start the YouTube application and verify if the "Something Went Wrong" issue persists. If so, move on through the steps.

Ensure YouTube App is Up To the Date (How to Update YouTube App) YouTube App)

  1. Start the App Store on the iPhone or iPad.
  2. Select your image at the top-right corner of the App Store screen.
  3. Find the "Available updates" section. If an update to YouTube is available, click on it. YouTube application is in the works, you'll see it listed below.
An outdated youtube app, which can cause the something went wrong error
Make sure to update the app
  1. Press"Update" or click the "Update" button next to the YouTube app to download and install the latest version.
  2. After the update has been completed, relaunch the YouTube application and verify if the error is resolved.

Restart Your Device

A device restart may help resolve various software glitches such as the "Something went Wrong" problem. Before proceeding, follow these steps to start your iPhone and iPad:

  1. Press and hold the power button (located or on the sides or on the top) until the "Slide to Power Off" slider is displayed.
  2. Move the slider left to right in order to switch off your device.
  3. You should wait between five and minutes, and after which press and hold the power button for another five to ten seconds until Apple logo is displayed.
  4. Press the power button, then allow your device to complete the process of restarting. When your device is restarted start the YouTube app to check if the error persists.

Check if Your Device Software Is Up-to-Date

  1. Click on the "Settings" application on the iPhone or iPad.
  2. Scroll down and tap on "General."
  3. Tap on "Software Update."
  4. If a new software update is out, you'll be able to see the option of "Download and install." Tap on it to start the upgrade process.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the software update. When your device is upgraded, reopen the YouTube application and check whether the problem persists.

Log In/Log Out to Your YouTube Account

  1. Start the YouTube app on either your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Select your profile photo or avatar icon in the upper-right part of the screen.
  3. Scroll to the bottom and then tap on the "Sign out" or "Switch Account" option.
  4. You can confirm the change by choosing "Sign out" or the account you wish to change to.
  5. When you're exited, click "Sign Login" then "Add Account" for logging back in.
  6. Log in using your YouTube account credentials and follow the instructions to login. Once you have signed in, verify whether the "Something Went Wrong" issue has been resolved.

Let the background app refresh and cellular data be refreshed for YouTube App

To ensure a smooth YouTube experience, you can enable cellular data usage and background app refresh on YouTube: YouTube app:

  1. Click on the "Settings" application to the iPhone or iPad.
  2. Scroll down and tap on "Cellular" (or "Mobile Data."
  3. Locate the YouTube app on the list of apps installed.
  4. Switch the toggle next to YouTube to enable mobile data use in the app.
  5. In addition, go back to the settings menu from before and click "General."
  6. Scroll to the bottom and choose "Background Application Refresh."
  7. Choose the YouTube app from the list and toggle the switch to allow background refresh. Exit the Settings app, and launch the YouTube application to see whether the problem persists.

Clear Cache

Cleaning the cache in the YouTube app can help resolve temporary data issues and could even solve the "Something was Wrong" error. Here's how to remove the cache:

  1. Start the "Settings" application for your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Scroll to the bottom, and then tap "General."
  3. Choose "iPhone Storage" as well as "iPad Storage."
  4. Select and then tap the YouTube app from the list of installed applications.
  5. Then, on the YouTube storage screen, tap to "Offload App" (this removes the application, but retains its information) (or "Delete App" (this removes the app and its data).
  6. Reconfirm the action and just wait for the app to stop loading or be deleted.
  7. You can go to the App Store, look for the YouTube application and then install the app. Start the YouTube application, and see if the error is gone.

Utilize the VPN VPN

  1. Download and install a dependable VPN application via the App Store. A variety of reliable VPN service providers are offered, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost.
  2. Open the VPN app once it's running on your phone.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure and set up the VPN application. It usually involves registering an account, and choosing an appropriate server location.
  4. After you have the VPN application is installed and you are connected to the server location of your choice. Selecting a server that is close to the physical location you reside in is advised to get the best performance.
  5. After establishing the VPN connection, you can open the YouTube application and verify that the error no longer persists.

Change DNS Settings

  1. Go to the "Settings" application on your phone.
  2. Scroll to the bottom and click on "WiFi" as well as "Cellular" (depending upon the current connection to your network).
  3. Find the network which you're connected to, and then tap on the "i" or the information icon beside it.
  4. In the screen for network information Scroll down until you reach on the "Configure DNS" option.
  5. Pick the "Manual" option.
  6. Tap on "Add Server" and enter the new DNS server address. There are public DNS servers like Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1).
Change DNS settings on iPhone
Modify DNS settings on iPhone
  1. Click on "Save" to set the updated DNS settings.
  2. Shut down the Settings application and then open the YouTube application to see if the error is repaired.

By trying these nine fixes, including turning airplane mode on/off making sure the YouTube application is current and up to current, ensuring that your device is running for updates to software, leaving the device before logging in again to the YouTube account, and allowing mobile data and background app updates for YouTube. By logging out of the YouTube app, clearing the cache and restarting your device by using VPN VPN as well as changing the DNS settings, you can effectively solve the "Something went wrong, tap to Retry" error message on mobile.

8 Ways To Fix the "Something Went Wrong" YouTube Error On Desktop (Mac)

When encountering "Something was Wrong" error on YouTube while using your desktop Mac computer There are a variety of options you could try to resolve the issue.

Connect/disconnect from WiFi

  1. Click on the WiFi icon in the menu bar at the top-right edge of your Mac display.
  2. Choose "Turn off WiFi" to disconnect from your WiFi connection.
  3. Take a few minutes. Then, click the WiFi icon once more and select "Turn WiFi On" to reconnect with the internet. When you're connected, launch your internet browser and browse YouTube to determine whether the issue persists.

Restart Computer

  1. Select the Apple menu in the top-left edge of the display.
  2. Choose "Restart" from the drop-down menu.
  3. Wait until your Mac to shut down, then reboot. Once your Mac has been restarted, you can open your internet browser, then navigate to YouTube to check if the error persists.

Make sure your desktop browser is up to date

  1. Launch your web browser for Mac (e.g., Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox).
  2. Click on the browser's menu button, which is usually represented with three dots vertically or lines within the windows upper-right corner.
  3. From the drop-down menu, select "About [Browser Name]" (e.g., "About Safari" for Safari browser).
  4. A new window, or tab opens, with information about the browser and the version it is running.
  5. Check if you have the most recent version of your browser you are using. If there is an update available, follow the prompts to update your web browser with the most recent version.
  6. After updating, relaunch your browser, and then go to YouTube to check whether the problem persists.

Try a Different Desktop Browser

  1. If you are currently experiencing an "Something Went Wrong" error when you watch YouTube using one web browser, like Safari try another one such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
  2. Open the alternative web browser you have installed by your Mac.
  3. Visit the YouTube website and check whether the issue persists. If the error does not occur on the other browser, this suggests this issue is unique to the first browser that you used.

Log in and out of Your YouTube Account

  1. You can open YouTube using your internet browser.
  2. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the YouTube page.
  3. Choose "Sign Out" in the drop-down menu to log out of YouTube.
  4. After signing out, click the "Sign In" or"Profile" icon once more.
  5. Input your YouTube credentials to sign in again. Once you're logged into YouTube, you can try opening videos or performing actions on YouTube to determine whether the issue has gone away.

Clear Cache

  1. Open your web browser.
  2. Click "Safari" in the top left-hand corner of your menu bar and select "preferences."
  3. Locate the option for "Advance" settings on the top right and select the option to enable it.
  4. Check the box on the bottom of the screen, labeled "Show develop menu in menu bar
Advanced settings in Safari
Safari advanced settings
  1. Shut down the page on settings and return to your Safari browser.
  2. At the top menu bar you can hover your mouse over"Develop. "Develop" button.
Safari menu bar on Mac
The Safari menu bar appears on Mac
  1. Locate and click to open the menu to "Empty Caches"

Utilize VPN VPN

With a VPN (Virtual Private Network) will help YouTube fix its "Something Went Wrong" error through bypassing restriction on networks or fixing connectivity issues. Learn how to utilize a VPN for your Mac:

  1. Subscribe to a reputable VPN service supplier. Like we said, a number of alternatives, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost, are available.
  2. Install and download and install the VPN client software offered by your chosen VPN service.
  3. Launch the VPN application from your Mac.
  4. Follow the screen instructions to sign in to your VPN account.
  5. After logging in, choose the server location you want to use from the available options. Selecting a server that is physically closer to the actual website is suggested for improved performance.
  6. When you've selected the server, click"Connect" or the "Connect" and "On" button to establish a VPN connection. After the VPN has been established, you can open your web browser and visit YouTube.

How Can I Prevent My YouTube Videos from getting the "Something was Wrong" error?

Preventing the occurrence of the "Something went wrong" error that occurs on YouTube requires proactive measures to provide a seamless video playback for the viewers. While certain factors that cause this error could be out of your control however, there are ways you can reduce the chance of experiencing this problem.

Are there alternatives to YouTube?

While YouTube remains the dominant video-sharing platform, alternatives that cater to specific desires and needs are also accessible. Investigating these options can offer numerous opportunities for creators of content and viewers alike.

Explore new platforms that align with your goals and your audience. They offer unique experiences and opportunities for content creation and consumption.

Summary

YouTube is an essential instrument for people as well as businesses, offering a vast source of sharing and consumption video content. The "Something Went Wrong" error may hinder users' experience, and affect businesses' online presence.

This is where a dependable hosting service like Hostgator can help. Its 24/7 customer support 24/7, and troubleshooting features help ensure that your apps as well as websites are available and free of technical glitches as possible.

Thus, companies are able to ensure a seamless user experience, minimize any SEO harm from broken links, and expand their impact by selecting a hosting provider that prioritizes speed and reliability.