YouTube offers uninterrupted video viewing most of the time. Despite being the world’s largest video streaming platform, sometimes it does not deliver. YouTube pauses on many devices, according to users. You’ve come to the right place if you’re experiencing the same problem.
This article will help you understand why YouTube pauses videos and provide actionable tips for resolving it. Do not be alarmed; the problem may not be as serious as it seems. Let’s get started without further ado.
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Why Does YouTube Keep Pausing?
If you’ve been using YouTube for a while, chances are you’ve experienced some kind of issue at some point. Video pausing is rarely a cause for concern. It may be necessary to investigate the problem further if it occurs too frequently.
YouTube’s default settings, browser problems, outdated software, or a slow internet connection can all cause your video to pause.
Let’s examine the most common reasons for YouTube video pausing in more detail. We will then list the steps to help solve the issue, regardless of its cause.
YouTube Default Settings
It is most likely that your YouTube video will pause because the Auto-Pause feature is set by default. When you’re inactive on the device for a while, this feature pauses the video so you don’t miss important details in the content.
Auto-pause can ruin your YouTube viewing experience if you’re cooking, working, or cleaning. In spite of YouTube’s inability to disable auto-pause, there are third-party solutions we’ll cover below.
Network Issues
YouTube videos may pause if your network is disrupted. It could be that the video is buffering, or that there is a temporary server error. When there’s a network issue (excluding downloaded videos), YouTube’s in-built algorithm pauses the video.
Browser Issues
In addition to internet issues, certain browsers can cause YouTube videos to pause. Cookies or cache files may cause a glitch, or extensions may interfere with the video’s loading.
YouTube Faults
Although YouTube is fantastic, it is not entirely free of technical problems. For ongoing technical issues on YouTube, check YouTube’s Help Center or the Known Issues page if you’re sure there’s nothing wrong on your end.
Remind Me to Take a Break Is On
How often do you use YouTube’s “Remind Me to Take a Break” feature? It may be one of the reasons why your video pauses at a certain point.
An Issue With Your Headphones
If the YouTube app thinks you have disconnected your earbuds, some headphone/phone combinations will automatically pause. Make sure you pay attention to when your video pauses. YouTube will pause if you are moving, if your wireless headphones are low on battery, or if you have a faulty headphone jack.
How to Stop YouTube From Auto Pausing?
Having listed the most common reasons for YouTube videos to pause, let’s move on to the main part – fixing the problem.
Tweak YouTube Auto-Pause Settings
If YouTube pauses a video and asks you to “Continue watching?” then Auto-pause is enabled.
Using an extension, you can disable this feature. Many options are available, but not all are compatible with all browsers. Chrome and Firefox users can download “AutoTube – YouTube nonstop”.
You can install AutoTube on Chrome by following these steps:
- By clicking “Add to Chrome,” you can download the AutoTube extension.
- Click “Add extension” to continue.
- You can watch YouTube videos without auto-pause with the extension.
Follow these steps to install AutoTube on Firefox:
- Visit the Mozilla Addons page for AutoTube.
- Then click “Add to Firefox.”
- Installing and activating the add-on is instantaneous.
When the “Continue watching?” tab appears, the video will be immediately resumed.
Continue with the steps below if the auto-pause feature is not the issue.
Check Your Internet Connection
Try playing another video on YouTube if you run into playback problems with one. You may have a connection issue if the page loads slowly or the video buffers for longer than normal.
Verify your upload and download speeds by running a speed test. You may need to switch to mobile data, restart your router, or contact your ISP if your speeds are too low for YouTube playback.
Clear YouTube Cache
YouTube caches some of your previously viewed videos and loads them faster when you play them again. Having too many videos in the cache can slow down the app, causing videos to pause too often.
To clear the YouTube cache, follow these steps:
- Go to the “Settings” page on your mobile device or browser.
- Go to the “Storage and Memory” settings in your browser or find the “YouTube” app on your mobile device.
- Apply the “Clear cache” option. If you select “Clear Data,” all your YouTube data will be deleted.
There is no way for iOS users to clean an app’s cache. It is possible, however, to offload the app’s data, thereby clearing the cache. How to do it:
- Tap General in your device’s Settings.
- Storage on a tap.
- Open the YouTube app.
- Offload data by tapping it. Confirm that you wish to offload the app’s data.
Your login information and other important data will not be erased if you offload an app’s data. Restart YouTube and try watching your video after offloading.
Disable Your Antivirus
You may encounter conflicts with your YouTube service if you use third-party apps or extensions. You may not be able to finish the video if your antivirus software or other app perceives YouTube as a threat. Your antivirus program should be shut down if you believe it may interfere with your YouTube experience.
Turn Off the “Remind Me to Take a Break” Feature (Mobile App Only)
To disable this feature, follow these steps:
- Tap the profile icon in the upper right corner of the YouTube Mobile app.
- Go to the YouTube settings page.
- Go to the “General” section.
- The “Remind me to take a break” option should be turned off.
Your YouTube videos won’t pause if this is the problem.
Update the App
Is your YouTube app pausing videos even after you cleared the cache and rebooted it? Ensure you are running the latest version of YouTube. In your phone settings, find YouTube under the “Apps” section and check for updates.
Disable Data Saver (Mobile App Only)
You can use YouTube’s Data Saver feature to reduce video quality and reserve your mobile data so you don’t go over your limit. Most carriers now offer unlimited data plans. Try disabling Data Saver if YouTube keeps pausing. How to do it:
- Tap the profile icon in the upper right corner of the YouTube app.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- Click on the Data Saving button.
- Turn the grey switch next to Data Saving Mode on.
Play your videos again to see if the pausing stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions about YouTube, keep reading.
I’m afraid not. In the traditional sense, at least. For technical support, there is no one you can call or chat with. You can submit feedback and read help articles on YouTube’s support page if you have problems.
When you lock your phone or turn off your screen, YouTube videos will stop playing. To help bypass certain restrictions, third-party services and workarounds are available as with most unpopular app features.
You can play YouTube with your phone’s screen locked by following these steps.
Watch YouTube Without Interruptions
YouTube videos that pause are never pleasant to watch. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common problem. It’s easy to fix, which is a good thing. In most cases, the problem is caused by the auto-pause feature, or your internet connection needs to be double-checked.
The article explains the most common reasons YouTube may pause your videos automatically and provides some easy fixes. Try the alternative steps listed above if the auto-pause feature isn’t the problem and your YouTube video keeps pausing.
How did you solve the problem? Comment below with your experience?