“You’re offline. Check your connection” appears when the YouTube app or website can’t connect. Most of the time the cause is on your side: the network, the app or the browser. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, restart and update the app, and clear its cache. If YouTube itself is down, the only fix is to wait.
On an Android phone
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, or restart your router (YouTube Help).
- Check that YouTube is allowed to use mobile data, and turn off Data Saver (Guiding Tech).
- Close and reopen the app, restart the phone and update YouTube in the Play Store.
- Go to Settings, Apps, YouTube, Storage and tap Clear cache (YouTube Help). Don’t use Clear storage unless you have to: it deletes all of the app’s data (Android Help).
- Set the date and time to automatic and turn off any VPN (Android Authority).
- If nothing works, uninstall and reinstall the app.
On an iPhone or iPad
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, and check that mobile data is on for YouTube in Settings.
- Close and reopen the app, restart the device and update YouTube in the App Store.
- Go to Settings, General, iPhone Storage, YouTube, tap Offload App and then Reinstall App (YouTube Help).
- Set the date and time to automatic and turn off any VPN.
In a browser
- Reload the page and check whether other websites load (YouTube Help).
- Close extra tabs, restart the browser and update it.
- Open YouTube in an incognito window with extensions turned off. If it works there, an extension is the cause. YouTube says it may block playback when you use an ad blocker (YouTube Help).
- In Chrome, delete cached images and files (More, Delete browsing data) (Chrome Help). Deleting cookies for all sites signs you out of them, so if you need to clear cookies, do it for YouTube only (Chrome Help).
- On a school, work or public network, the network administrator or internet provider may be blocking YouTube (YouTube Help).
Check whether YouTube is down
YouTube’s support team posts updates about problems on its @TeamYouTube account on X (YouTube Help). In February 2026, for example, a worldwide outage was confirmed there and fixed the same night (9to5Mac). Sites such as Downdetector collect reports from other users.
Watching downloads while you’re offline
If you’re offline on purpose, downloaded videos still play for a while:
- YouTube Premium: downloads play offline for up to 29 days, then you need to reconnect. In some countries the limit is 48 hours (YouTube Help).
- Free downloads: in some countries, videos can be saved for offline viewing for up to 48 hours at a time (YouTube Help).
- Premium Lite: has had downloads since February 2026, for most videos but not Shorts or music (YouTube Blog).
When you reconnect, the app checks whether each downloaded video has changed or is still available. For the full steps, see how to save YouTube videos to watch offline.
FAQ
Why does YouTube say I’m offline when my internet works?
YouTube may not be allowed to use mobile data, a VPN or the network may be blocking it, or the app or its cache has a problem. Work through the steps for your device.
Does clearing the cache delete my downloads?
Clear cache on Android removes temporary files. Clear storage deletes all of the app’s data, so avoid it if you want to keep your downloads.
How do I know if YouTube is down?
Check @TeamYouTube on X, or a site like Downdetector.
Can I call YouTube support?
YouTube doesn’t list a phone number for viewers. Use the YouTube Help Center or @TeamYouTube on X.