How to Use YouTube Autoplay? Why Is YouTube Autoplay Not Working?

YouTube’s autoplay feature is a handy tool that automatically plays the next video once the current one ends. It’s great for binge-watching, finding something to watch, and even letting videos play in the background without clicking to play the next video. But every so often, autoplay doesn’t work as it’s supposed to or at all.

This article will cover how YouTube autoplay works, how you can enable or disable it, and what to do if all of a sudden it suddenly stops working. It doesn’t matter if you’re using your phone, tablet, or computer; we have basic tips to get you back up and running quickly.

What is Autoplay on YouTube?

Autoplay is a default YouTube setting that plays a related video after the video you are watching finishes. It crafts those same elements into a stream of videos that don’t require you to press play yourself, so you can watch them back to back without having to deal with anything, whether you’re following a playlist, browsing recommendations, or are just letting YouTube’s recommendation algorithm choose what comes next.

Autoplay is typically on by default, especially if you’re signed in. You will see a small toggle switch at the top right of the video player or near the “Up Next” section, which you can turn on at any time or off when you are done.

There are also rules and limitations on autoplay for YouTube. For instance, autoplay might work in a different way when you’re watching videos geared toward kids, or if you’re on a slow connection. It may also pause after some time if you haven’t been active for a long period, in a further bid to prevent endless background playback and wasted bandwidth on its servers. This autoplay feature also doesn't work offline. But you can try other free players to play back YouTube playlist offline in a chain if you have downloaded them.

How to Turn On or Turn Off Autoplay on YouTube?

No matter if you’re using the YouTube app on your phone, computer, smart TV or smart display, you can easily tweak the autoplay feature in a few steps. Autoplay can be a useful feature when you do want videos to continue playing automatically, but it can also be a distraction or a strain on your data usage when you don’t, so it pays to know how to control it.

1. Directly Switch YouTube Autoplay with A Click

The easiest way to enable or disable autoplay is to click the switch on the video player screen. This toggle is usually labelled “Autoplay” and is located near the top right corner of your screen, just above the “Up Next” queue, on most devices.

This toggle functions immediately and without having to delve into any menus. That memory persists for next time, too, especially if you are signed in to your Google account.

2. Enable Or Disable YouTube Autoplay in Your Settings

If you prefer to control autoplay settings on Android, iOS, or TV, you also have that option, YouTube says. On the YouTube app, visit: Settings > Autoplay > Turn autoplay on or off.

Here, the toggle switch for autoplay is just one simple click away. This is the same setting as what the video-page toggle controls, but it’s a useful catch-all if you want to tweak things from the settings menu instead, or you don’t see the toggle during playback (as occasionally can be the case, depending on device, or app version).

3. Use Autoplay on Smart Displays

If you’re watching YouTube on a smart display, like a Google Nest Hub, autoplay can be controlled either via voice or the device’s settings. You can say something like, "Hey Google, turn off autoplay on YouTube", and the device will reply in kind or direct you to the appropriate settings. Or you can launch the Home app on your mobile device to choose the smart display, tap Settings > Notifications and digital wellbeing > YouTube settings, and you’ll see the autoplay toggle the same way you do on other devices.

YouTube Autoplay Not Working, How to Fix It?

YouTube’s autoplay function is super useful until it stops working out of nowhere. Autoplay is a handy feature for watching a playlist, relaxing with background music, or listening to videos as a podcast or talk show. It can be a little frustrating when it falls flat.

Fortunately, with most of these conditions, it’s not something to be concerned about. It is rarely the case that an autoplay issue is caused by anything more than minor glitches, a switch that was flipped off or something blocking the way. Here, in a step-by-step format, is a checklist of what you can verify and what you can fix.

1. Make Sure Autoplay Is Turned On

It's one of those things that might seem obvious, but it's still worth checking in with yourself. Search for the autoplay switch on the video player (it often appears at the top right of the screen, with the “Up Next” queue just below it). If it’s off (or grey), click it to turn it on (it should turn blue). You can also navigate to Settings > Autoplay within the YouTube app or website to ensure it’s turned on. Remember: if you’re not logged into your Google account, your autoplay preferences may not be persist across sessions.

2. Refresh the Page or Restart the App

Other times, YouTube has plain old glitches like any other app or site. If autoplay isn’t working, even in such cases as in the case above, in the settings of a browser (or settings of a browser for the desktop platform), try to refresh the browser tab or close and reopen the application. Temporary issues can sometimes be solved by restarting the YouTube app or rebooting your smart TV or streaming device.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

We use autoplay, which requires a fast internet connection to preload your next video. However, due to a spotty mobile data signal, the next video might not load in time. Run a speed test or try another network and check if the problem persists. And if you’re on mobile data, autoplay may be automatically off to save on bandwidth. Open the YouTube app, navigate to Settings > Autoplay and ensure the Autoplay on mobile data toggle is switched on.

4. Clear Cache or App Data

As time goes by, your browser or app might accumulate data that causes problems when using YouTube. Attempt to clear your browser cache (on a computer) or clear the YouTube app cache (on Android) from your phone settings. Restart the app or browser once you have cleared the data, and see if autoplay works.

5. Disable Browser Extensions or Ad Blockers

If you’re accessing YouTube through a desktop browser, some browser extensions, including ad blockers and privacy tools, might cause issues with autoplay. You can try to disable these extensions temporarily and refresh the page. One of the extensions was probably responsible if it begins to work now. You can also use YouTube on incognito/private windows or try using another browser to determine whether it's a specific browser issue.

6. Autoplay May Be Disabled by YouTube

Sometimes, the playback in autoplay is restricted considering the type of content. For example:

• Videos marked as "Made for Kids" may have autoplay disabled.
• If you’ve been inactive for a while, YouTube may pause autoplay and ask if you’re still watching.
• In restricted or embedded players, autoplay might not work depending on the platform or device.

Unfortunately, in these cases, there's not much you can do. YouTube limits autoplay to follow privacy and content guidelines. If you still want to play YouTube video list automatically, you can use tools like CleverGet to save the playlist for offline playback. This tool also supports streaming platforms like Netflix, Tubi, Prime, Hulu, etc.

Conclusion

If YouTube autoplay isn’t working, it’s usually a quick fix, whether it's toggling a setting, clearing some cache, or simply restarting the app. If none of these solutions work, double-check if you're using an outdated app or browser version, and consider updating to the latest version for best performance.