Top 9 Ways to Fix YouTube Search Is Not Working

YouTube search is useful for finding new videos if you think the recommendations aren’t good enough. You can use the search to find your favorite songs, videos or YouTube channels. However, YouTube search may not display results or may stop working altogether.

There can be many reasons why YouTube search may not work. Either way, this guide should help you solve YouTube search problems for good. So let’s check it out.

1. Check the internet connection

When you are having trouble with YouTube, the first thing you should do is check your internet connection. If it’s slow or weak, YouTube search may not work for you. Try running a quick speed test on your device to check your internet connection.

2. Restart the application

Then you can try to restart the YouTube app. This is a common troubleshooting method that helps resolve minor issues with the app. Therefore, you can try it out before moving on to the other solutions.

3. Check the detector

It is not uncommon for services like YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. have downtime. Fortunately, websites like Downdetector help track these service outages. You can visit the Downdetector website to see if other users are facing the same issue.

Visit Downdetector

4. Check the date and time

If the time or date on your device is incorrect, the YouTube app may not be able to communicate with the YouTube servers. You need to check the system time of your device and make sure that it shows the time provided by the network.

Android

Step 1: Launch the Settings app and navigate to System.

2nd step: Tap Date & Time and make sure the toggles next to “Use network provided time” and “Use network provided time zone” are enabled.

iPhone

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone, go to General and tap on Date & time.

2nd step: Turn on the switch next to Set automatically.

5. Update YouTube

Apps like YouTube regularly receive updates that bring bug fixes and improvements. If the search issue occurs due to an app bug, updating the app to its latest version will resolve the issue.

6. Clear cache (Android)

Like any other streaming service, YouTube also collects cache data to improve load times and app performance. The problem starts when this data gets corrupted and conflicts with the application. So, you can try clearing this cache data to see if that fixes the problem. Here’s how.

Step 1: Tap and hold the YouTube app icon to visit the YouTube app info page.

2nd step: Go to Storage and cache and press the Clear cache button.

7. Allow unlimited data usage (Android)

If you have enabled a data saver on your device, YouTube may stop using mobile data or Wi-Fi on your device after this limit is reached. If this is the case, YouTube might have difficulty retrieving the search results. Here’s how to change it.

Step 1: Tap and hold the YouTube app icon to open its app information.

2nd step: Go to Mobile data and Wi-Fi and make sure the switches next to “Background data” and “Unrestricted data usage” are on.

8. Reset network settings

Another reason you might have trouble using YouTube search is if the Wi-Fi won’t connect or the signal continues to drop. In such cases, resetting the network settings on your Android or iPhone can help. Here’s how to do it.

Android

Step 1: Open the settings on your Android and go to System.

2nd step: Expand Advanced to visit the reset options. Then tap on Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile and Bluetooth.

Step 3: Finally, hit the Reset Settings button at the bottom.

iPhone

Step 1: Open the settings on your iPhone and go to General.

2nd step: Scroll down to tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 3: Tap on the Reset option at the bottom and choose Reset Network Settings.

It will ask you for the password (if applicable). Once verified, tap on Reset Network Settings to begin the restore process.

9. Reinstall YouTube

If nothing works, your last option is to reinstall the YouTube app. In this way, you can get rid of any files or data associated with the app and give it a fresh start.

Your search ends here

YouTube is the source of entertainment needs for most of us. And there is nothing more annoying than being interrupted in your free time by such problems. Hope the above solutions helped you solve the problem for good.