How to Restart YouTube TV: The Ultimate Guide to Fix App Crashes, Streaming Glitches & More

Streaming interruptions on YouTube TV can ruin your viewing experience, especially when the app crashes or freezes unexpectedly. Knowing how to restart YouTube TV is one of the quickest and most effective ways to resolve these issues. Whether you’re facing buffering problems, app freezes, or login glitches, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to get your YouTube TV app working smoothly again.

In this article, you will learn how to restart YouTube TV across all major devices — from smart TVs and streaming sticks to mobile phones. We’ll explain simple methods to reset the app, force close it safely, and restart session properly so you can get back to watching without delay. Plus, if you need help activating or setting up YouTube TV, youtubetv.com/start is here to assist you with expert guidance.

When Should You Restart YouTube TV?

Knowing when to restart YouTube TV can save you from prolonged frustration and wasted time. Here are the most common scenarios where a restart is essential:

• App crashing or freezing: If YouTube TV stops responding or shuts down unexpectedly, restarting the app can clear temporary glitches causing the crash.
  
  
• Buffering or poor playback quality: Even with a strong internet connection, the app might lag or buffer. Restarting often resolves streaming slowdowns. For more details, see why is YouTube TV buffering.
  
  
• Syncing issues: When audio and video are out of sync or captions lag, a restart can help realign the stream.
  
  
• Login or session timeout problems: Sometimes, YouTube TV sessions expire or fail to load properly. Restarting the app refreshes your login and resolves session errors.
  
  
• Stuck on the loading screen: The app hanging on “loading” or “please wait” screens is a common sign that a restart is needed.  Check YouTube TV black screen issues for troubleshooting.
  
  

If you experience any of these problems, it’s time to follow our step-by-step instructions on how to restart YouTube TV effectively on your specific device.

How to Restart YouTube TV App on Any Device

The process for how to restart YouTube TV depends on the device you’re using. Below, we break down detailed steps for smart TVs, streaming devices, and mobile phones so you can fix your app issues quickly and easily.

Restart YouTube TV on Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Android TVs)

1. Force Close the YouTube TV App:
   
   
   • Open your TV’s Settings menu.
     
     
   • Navigate to Apps or Application Manager.
     
     
   • Find and select YouTube TV.
     
     
   • Choose Force Stop or Force Close to immediately shut down the app.
     
     
2. Reopen YouTube TV:
   Return to your home screen and launch the app again.
   
   
3. Restart Your TV:
   If force closing didn’t work, try completely powering off your TV, unplugging it for 30 seconds, then powering it back on. This can help clear system-level issues.
   
   
4. Check for Software Updates:
   Keep your smart TV’s firmware updated to avoid compatibility problems.
   
   

Restart YouTube TV on Streaming Devices (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV)

• On Roku, go to Settings > Apps > YouTube TV, then select Force Close or Remove Channel (to reinstall).
  
  
• On Fire Stick, navigate to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > YouTube TV > Force Stop. See YouTube TV not working on Firestick for device-specific help.
  
  
• On Apple TV, double-press the Home button or swipe up the app switcher, then swipe up on YouTube TV to close it.
  
  
• Clear cache or data if your device supports it (mainly on Fire Stick and Android TV devices).
  
  
• Reinstall YouTube TV if restarting does not fix the problem.
  
  
• Restart your streaming device to refresh the session and improve app performance.
  
  

Restart YouTube TV on Mobile Devices (iOS & Android)

• Use the App Switcher to force close YouTube TV:
  
  
  • On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom and pause, then swipe the YouTube TV app up to close.
    
    
  • On Android, tap the Recent Apps button and swipe the app away.
    
    
• Go to Settings > Apps > YouTube TV > Storage > Clear Cache (Android only).
  
  
• Restarting the app session or rebooting your phone can also help resolve persistent issues.

Reset the YouTube TV App for Persistent Issues

If simply restarting doesn’t resolve the problems, you may need to perform a deeper reset on the YouTube TV app:

• Clear app cache/data: This removes temporary files that might be corrupted and causing the app to malfunction.
  
  
• Uninstall and reinstall the app: Sometimes app files can get damaged. Removing and reinstalling YouTube TV will give you a fresh copy.
  
  
• Follow device-specific reset instructions carefully to avoid losing any saved settings.
  
  
• Restart your entire device or internet router: Network conflicts can also cause streaming problems, so restarting your router or device can improve connectivity and performance.
  
  

Performing these steps ensures that your YouTube TV app is completely refreshed and running as it should.

Troubleshooting Guide: Still Not Working?

If you’ve tried how to restart YouTube TV and the app still isn’t working properly, try these additional troubleshooting tips:

• Update the YouTube TV app: Outdated apps often cause crashes or bugs. Make sure you’re using the latest version.
  
  
• Restart your internet router: A simple router reboot can fix slow or unstable internet connections impacting YouTube TV.
  
  
• Sign out and sign back into YouTube TV: This refreshes your account session and can resolve authentication issues.
  
  
• Check your device’s operating system: Keeping your device updated avoids compatibility issues.
  
  
• Contact YouTube TV support: For persistent problems, visit the official YouTube TV Help Center for professional assistance.

Pro Tips to Prevent Future Interruptions

To reduce the frequency of app crashes and glitches, try these preventative measures:

• Enable auto-updates for YouTube TV so you always have the latest bug fixes and features.
  
  
• Regularly clear cache on your streaming devices to keep them running smoothly.
  
  
• Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi for better streaming stability.
  
  
• Limit the number of simultaneous streams to avoid overloading your bandwidth.
  
  
• Occasionally restart your device and router even if no problems appear, to maintain optimal performance.
  
  

Following these tips will help you avoid the need to frequently restart your YouTube TV app.

Need Help Starting or Activating YouTube TV?

If you are new to YouTube TV or having trouble setting it up, YouTVStart offers 24/7 expert activation assistance. They provide:

• Quick activation support for devices like Roku, Fire Stick, and Smart TVs
  
  
• Free trial setup and troubleshooting for device compatibility
  
  
• Real-time guidance to get you streaming fast
  
  

If you’re unsure how to restart YouTube TV or need help with setup, their team is ready to assist you instantly.

Get your YouTube TV activated and working perfectly with YouTVStart.

Conclusion

Knowing how to restart YouTube TV is a vital skill for any streamer. Whether your app crashes, buffers, or fails to load, force closing, resetting the app, or restarting your session can fix most issues quickly. Regular maintenance like clearing cache and updating apps also helps keep your streaming experience uninterrupted.

For seamless setup and activation support, YouTVStart is your reliable partner. Follow this guide anytime you need to troubleshoot YouTube TV, and you’ll be back to enjoying your favorite shows in no time.