How to Fix YouTube TV Not Working on LG Smart TV: The Ultimate Guide

Struggling to get YouTube TV working on your LG smart TV? We’ll walk you through 34 proven fixes to get YouTube and other apps back up and running.

Having YouTube TV issues on your LG smart TV? You try opening the app but it crashes or gets stuck at the loading screen? Maybe YouTube TV keeps logging you out on the LG TV or says “you’re offline” when your internet is working fine?

We feel your pain. Few things are more frustrating than sitting down to relax and being blocked from watching your favorite YouTube shows.

But don’t smash your remote in anger just yet! We have 27 troubleshooting tips to get YouTube TV working again on your LG smart TV.

We’ll also cover how to fix other common problems like:

• LG TV AirPlay not working
• LG TV remote app not working
• LG TV sound not working

From quick power cycling solutions to resetting your TV, you’ll find a proven fix here in this 2024 update.

Let’s start bringing YouTube TV back from the dead on your LG TV!

Step-by-Step YouTube TV Troubleshooting for LG Smart TVs

Without further ado, let’s start resurrecting your YouTube TV app on that LG television!

1. Confirm LG TV and YouTube TV Compatibility

Before troubleshooting, verify:

• Your LG smart television is a 2014 model or newer. YouTube TV is not available on 2013 or earlier models.
• Your TV software is webOS 3.0 or above. Check under Settings > General > About This TV.
• You have a valid YouTube TV subscription. The app allows 5 home location changes per year.

Once confirmed as compatible, move on to troubleshooting!

2. Soft Reset Your LG Smart TV

Start simple by power cycling or “soft resetting” your LG TV:

1. Unplug TV power cable from electrical outlet.
2. Press and hold power button on TV itself for 10 seconds (not the remote).
3. Release power button and wait 1-2 minutes.
4. Plug power cable back in and power TV back on.

This discharge static electricity that could be interrupting connectivity. Apps and internet may start working properly again after a quick power cycle.

Give YouTube TV a try after soft resetting. 9 times out of 10 this breathe new life to fix apps not loading!

3. Update Your LG TV Firmware

An outdated LG TV software version can cause YouTube TV crashing or loading issues.

Here’s how to update:

1. Using LG remote, select the Settings cog icon > All Settings > General.
2. Choose About This TV > Check for Updates.
3. If update available, follow prompts to download and install.
4. Once update completes, TV will auto restart.

Now test if YouTube TV works after the LG TV firmware update. This eliminates software bugs that can interrupt app functionality.

4. Restart Your WiFi Router

Internet connectivity issues between your LG TV and ISP often manifest as apps “not working”.

Let’s rule that out next:

1. Unplug power cable from back of your WiFi router and modem (may be combo unit).
2. Wait 30 seconds before reconnecting power cable.
3. Turn router and modem back on and let boot up completely.
4. On LG TV, check if YouTube TV loads properly after router restart.

This clears any network conflicts so internet and WiFi connectivity work smoothly between ISP equipment and your television.

5. Reconnect Your LG TV to Your WiFi Network

Alternatively, simply reconnecting WiFi often kicks network issues:

1. Using LG remote, go to Settings > Network > Wireless Connection.
2. Select current WiFi network, select Disconnect.
3. Search and select your home WiFi SSID again.
4. Enter WiFi password when prompted.
5. Check if YouTube TV works after reassociating WiFi network on the LG TV.

Verify internet is working normally on LG TV through other apps and sites before further troubleshooting.

6. Adjust LG TV DNS Server Settings

Domain name system (DNS) resolves server addresses for streaming to function properly. Switch to reliable public DNS servers:

1. From network settings, go to DNS server menu.
2. Select Manual instead of Auto.
3. Enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 under DNS servers. These point to Google public DNS.
4. Save settings and reconnect internet.

Google DNS servers are 99.9% reliable, eliminating this as an issue causing LG TV app problems.

7. Allow Cookies and Site Data

Apps may fail if the LG TV blocks essential cookies and site data needed to verify accounts and load content:

1. Go to Settings > General > Smart TV Settings.
2. Set Allow Cookies and Allow Site Data to On.
3. Clear existing browser history and data after enabling.
4. Relaunch YouTube TV app.

If other accounts and services work fine while YouTube TV fails, adjusting cookie and site data permissions can help isolate the issue on LG smart televisions.

8. Clear Cache and Data for YouTube TV

Corrupted cached app data is another common culprit behind YouTube TV login, loading and playback issues on LG TVs:

1. From Home Launcher Menu, select the YouTube TV app.
2. Press and hold Select button on remote for 3-5 seconds until options appear.
3. Select App Info from options.
4. Choose Clear Cache and/or Clear Data options.
5. Restart YouTube TV app afterwards.

Wiping the YouTube TV cache forces the app to rebuild clean data files, solving glitches.

9. Toggle IPv6 On and Off in LG TV Network Settings

In some cases, IPv4 vs IPv6 conflicts cause YouTube TV problems on LG smart TVs:

1. Go to network settings > Wired (Ethernet) or Wireless Connection > Advanced WiFi Settings.
2. Locate IPv6 option. Toggle On and then back Off.
3. If already Off by default, toggle On first and then turn Off again.
4. This clears any conflict between IPv4 and IPv6 configurations.

Now recheck if YouTube TV works properly after this network settings adjustment.

10. Reset All Network Settings on Your LG TV

If adjusting DNS, reconnecting WiFi, or changing IPv6 options didn’t get YouTube TV working again, do a full reset:

1. From the LG Home Launcher, go to Settings (cog wheel) > Network > Network Reset.
2. Follow prompts to confirm reset of all network configurations. The TV will restart into network setup.
3. Reconnect to your home WiFi SSID and re-enter WiFi password. Follow device activation steps as needed for streaming apps.

After network settings reset, check if YouTube TV or other apps load correctly on your LG television.

11. Double Check Date, Time and Time Zone

Date and time conflicts can create issues with account verifications, content licensing and streaming functionality.

On your LG TV, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and verify:

• Date and time are set correctly in your local time zone.
• Time zone region is properly set for your geography.
• Enable Set Automatically if menu options available to synch internet time.

Inconsistent date and time information cause all kinds of havoc, blocking access and content delivery for streaming services like YouTube TV.

After adjusting, relaunch YouTube TV to see if error resolves.

12. Ensure Location is Set Correctly

Your physical location must match YouTube TV licensing agreements for your geographic region. Conflicts here can block access:

1. Go to Settings > General > Location.
2. Disable Set Automatically if enabled. Input correct zip code instead and select Done.
3. Confirm Location Information below updated properly, showing correct nearest major city.

Once location settings updated, launch YouTube TV again. Apps like YouTube TV use this to confirm regional licensing rights and legal streaming access.

13. Check if YouTube TV Service Having Outages

Before you pull more of your hair out…head to Downdetector to check if YouTube TV is down or experiencing widespread outages:

Status pages also helpful to examine:

• YouTube TV Twitter

If indeed a major service disruption from YouTube TV servers, simply try again later when resolved on their end. Their engineering team will be working hard to mitigate the issue ASAP!

14. Test YouTube TV on Other Devices

Does YouTube TV work fine when you login to the same account on your smartphone, tablet, computer or other devices connected to the same home internet?

If yes, this confirms the issue isolated to your LG smart TV rather than network or account settings. Time to dig deeper into fixes directly on the television itself…

15. Reinstall the YouTube TV App on Your LG TV

Glitches within the YouTube TV app itself on your LG TV frequently causes issues like crashing, buffering, errors.

Simply reinstalling the app often clears up such problems:

1. From LG Home Launcher, highlight the YouTtube TV app.
2. Press and hold the Settings cog button on LG remote until options pop up.
3. Select Remove > Confirm on next prompt.

4. Open LG Content Store from home launcher.

5. Search for “YouTube TV“.
6. Select app and choose Install.

7. Once installed, launch app and sign into your account.

This will rebuild clean app files which commonly fixes functional problems.

16. Delete Browsing History and Cookies

Corrupted browsing history and cookies can also manifest as YouTube TV login and streaming issues:

1. Open web browser app on your LG TV.
2. Via browser settings menu, find option to delete browsing history and cookies.
3. Confirm deletion. Close browser app afterwards.
4. Launch YouTube TV app again. When prompted, login to your Google account.

This forces your LG TV to download a fresh set of cookies for access and streaming authorization.

17. Attempt Different YouTube TV User Accounts

Do you have another household member with their own YouTube TV subscription? Before further troubleshooting the LG TV itself…

• Sign out completely of existing YouTube TV account.
• Relaunch YouTube TV app.
• Sign in using different user credentials (Google/YouTube account).

If that other account streams YouTube TV fine, it indicates an issue with the original LG TV user profile rather than a device-wide problem. Often simple reauthentication resolves this.

18. Enable Location Access on Your LG TV for YouTube TV

Geographic rights checks requires sharing location data:

1. Open device Settings > Privacy > Location Services on LG TV.
2. Ensure Location Services enabled for device level.
3. Then choose YouTube TV app.
4. Enable location access for the YouTube TV app specifically.

Once granted at both device and app level, relaunch YouTube TV. This fulfills location data compliance needed for streaming access.

19. Disable Any VPN or Proxy Connections

Active VPN connections masks device location, causing YouTube TV licensing conflicts:

1. On your LG TV, open Settings > Network > VPN Connections.
2. Disable or delete any configured VPN apps/connections.
3. Now launch YouTube TV app again without VPN interference.

Likewise for any proxy connections and extensions. Temporarily disable those as well if enabled.

Geolocation must be based on native IP for streaming certification checks.

20. Whitelist YouTube TV Traffic on Firewall/Router

Network firewalls throws another wrench that blocks essential connections:

• On router admin interface, find firewall or access control settings.
• Under blocked sites or restriction rules, create allow exception for:
  • youtube.com
  • youtube-nocookie.com
  • googlevideo.com
• Save updated firewall whitelist rules.

This permits communication between your LG TV and YouTube servers.

After whitelisting those domains, give YouTube TV another go. Buffer icons begone! 🙏

21. Enable HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color Settings

LG smart TVs have an Enhanced HDMI mode for 4K video compatibility:

1. From the settings menu, choose…
2. All Settings > General > Devices > External Devices > HDMI ULTRA HD Deep Color
3. Enable feature for all HDMI ports connected to 4K devices like streaming box or Blu-ray player.

This setting sometimes needs a toggle On/Off after connecting new external media devices to enable 2160p 4K video output correctly to the television.

If you mainly watch YouTube TV directly though LG native apps, likely unrelated. But doesn’t hurt double checking!

22. Swap HDMI Cables and Change Input Port

Here’s a handy wiring checklist:

• For 4K YouTube TV streaming, use Premium Certified 18Gbps High Speed HDMI® Cable.
• Connect source device directly into LG TV HDMI port. Avoid intermediary adapters/splitters.
• Try different HDMI input ports on the television.
• Attempt alternate HDMI cables to rule out defects.

Damaged HDMI cables and flaky ports notoriously cause functional issues from no video signal to HDCP handshaking failures.

Eliminate cabling and hardware connectivity as potential culprits behind LG TV app trouble.

23. Connect Soundbar via Optical Audio Rather Than HDMI

Soundbars hooked up via HDMI-ARC are notoriously glitchy with CEC control signals causing video dropout issues.

As workaround, connect to LG TV optical audio port instead:

1. Turn off LG TV and soundbar.
2. Disconnect HDMI cable between bar and television.
3. Use optical audio cable from soundbar to Optical port on LG TV.
4. Turn on and retry YouTube TV.

Optical output port doesn’t suffer HDMI-ARC failures plaguing audio sync and signal integrity. If problem disappears after switching to Optical, it’s an HDMI-CEC issue disrupting video.

24. Test Other 4K Video Sources Like Blu-ray

HDMI connectivity troubles affects all devices equally, not just YouTube TV on your LG TV.

Further diagnose by attempting playback from alternate 4K HDMI video sources like:

• 4K Blu-ray player
• Roku or Fire TV 4K
• Gaming consoles like PS4 Pro

If those 4K video sources also exhibit signal dropouts and scaling issues, zero in on hardware.

On the flip side – if native LG apps like YouTube TV fail but other 4K HDMI devices work fine? Pinpoint software glitches on the TV itself such as app, firmware and network problems.

25. Adjust Video Output Resolution Setting on LG TV

HDMI signal chain could struggle if combinations of TV output and source input resolutions aren’t lined up:

1. Go to LG TV settings > Picture > Additional Settings
2. Find and open HDMI ULTRA HD Deep Color settings

3. Disable feature for that input port.

4. While still in settings, choose Picture > Picture Mode Settings
5. Adjust picture mode to Standard instead of Vivid, Cinema, etc.

6. Under picture mode settings also adjust:
   • Sharpness: 10
   • Color: 50
   • Tint: 0
7. Exit settings and attempt YouTube TV again at baseline 1440p output resolution.

If able to stream YouTube TV normally at these basic settings, slowly re-enable 4K options one by one while testing. Zero in on exactly what resolution or HDMI enhancement setting causes failure.

26. Check Energy Saving Settings

Check that power saving mode isn’t triggering after period of inactivity:

1. Press Settings cog wheel on LG remote.
2. Choose General > Timers > Sleep Timer.
3. Set to Off.

Power saving and auto power down can interrupt streaming connectivity. Disable such energy saving modes if YouTube TV stops responding after long idle periods.

The television shouldn’t suddenly cut power with incoming video streams active. Rectify via Timer settings.

27. Factory Reset the LG Smart TV

If you’ve made it this far with no relief…time for the nuclear option – full factory reset:

Warning: Back up settings and PREPARE TO LOG INTO APPS AGAIN AFTER RESET!

1. Go to Settings > General > Reset to Initial Settings
2. Select OK to confirm factory reset.
3. Let TV reboot and complete first-time setup again:
   • Select language
   • Accept terms
   • Connect to wifi
   • Set up accounts
4. Reconnect to your WiFi network and enter password.
5. Redownload YouTube TV and other streaming apps from the LG Content Store.
6. Sign into each app again using your credentials.

Factory reset will clear any corrupted app data, caches, cookies and permissions that can prevent YouTube TV or other services from working correctly.

The nuclear approach often works when all else fails! Just the hassle of setting everything back up…

28. Call LG Support for Hardware Diagnosis

Well, you’ve made your best troubleshooting effort unless…

Underlying defects within the LG television itself can cause seemingly random issues like YouTube TV failing or apps crashing: bad components, faulty motherboard, etc.

If you’ve worked through all software fixes and YouTube TV still misbehaves, underlying hardware problems often the culprit to blame.

Reach out to LG TV support in such cases requesting warranty inspection or paid diagnosis of the television electronics itself:

• 800-243-0000
• Live chat here

Describe the exact YouTube TV problems occurring and troubleshooting steps attempted so far. Hopefully they can resolve firmware flaws through software updates or pinpoint any parts needing replacement under warranty.

29. Use Streaming Device as YouTube TV Alternative

If compatible with your TV model, alternatively stream YouTube TV through media boxes like:

• Roku
• Amazon Fire TV
• Apple TV
• Chromecast

Attach streaming box instead of relying on native LG smart apps. Separates streaming functionality from the television’s internal software and hardware. Isolates the fault away from your LG TV system.

For older LG TVs without updating firmwares, streaming media devices often the only route for app access.

Check streaming box settings for necessary app permissions, software and account eligibility as needed if issues surface there next. But overall liberates you from manufacturer limitations!

Bonus Tips for Using YouTube TV on LG Smart TVs

Beyond just troubleshooting problems, let’s up your streaming game on those LG televisions!

Here are 8 tips and tricks:

30. Adjust App Settings for Data Saver

Helps limit high bandwidth consumption from 24/7 streaming. Enable app Data Saver mode:

1. Open YouTube TV app settings.
2. Choose playback quality option.
3. Select Data Saver to cap resolution feed.

31. Set Up Customized Live Channel Guide

Surf only channels you care about instead of endless scrolling:

1. Sign into YouTube TV account via web browser.
2. Click your profile icon > Settings.
3. Choose Live Guide from left menu.
4. Add/remove channels from your customized guide.

Now only those subscribed channels appear within LG TV app!

Now only those subscribed channels appear within LG TV app! Find this same trick for Samsung TVs here.

32. Set Up Multiple User Profiles

Personalized watch history and recommendations for each household member:

1. Click account icon in upper right of YouTube TV screen.
2. Select Settings > Users.
3. Manage profiles from there.

Grant customized homescreens for different users!

33. Limit Video Quality for Data Caps

Helps avoid cellular/ISP overage charges from 4K video streams. Works great for Vizio Smart TVs too!

1. Tap profile icon from YouTube TV homescreen.
2. Choose Settings > Video Quality.
3. Select Limit Data Usage instead of Best Quality.

34. Enable Offline Viewing to Download Shows

Watch saved content without internet connection needed:

1. On app homepage, select a show episode with Download icon visible.
2. Choose Download option.
3. Find downloaded episodes in Library tab for offline playback!

Now enjoy YouTube TV sans buffering during flights or commutes 🙂

35. Cast YouTube TV from Mobile to LG TV

Effortlessly fling video from smartphone or tablet:

1. Ensure TV and mobile on same WiFi network.
2. Start playing show on mobile YouTube TV app.
3. Tap Cast button and select television.

Boom, program starts playing on that big screen!

36. Setup Live Streaming Alerts on Lock Screen

Get notifications any time your team is playing or favorite channel goes live:

1. Tap Notifications icon on app header.
2. Toggle alerts on for specific teams and channels.

No more missing the action once enabled!

37. Add YouTube TV to LG Magic Remote Universal Control

Conveniently controls TV volume/power and YouTube TV navigation:

1. Press Home button on LG remote to open launcher ribbon.
2. Click Settings (gear) icon > General > Universal Control Settings.
3. Under TV Control choose YouTube TV app. Pair when prompted.

That wraps up 34 proven fixes for resolving problems with YouTube TV not working on LG smart televisions!