This video is not available” – How to Fix the Error on YouTube?

youtube, play button, social media

YouTube is one of the most famous social media platforms for video sharing. But, it can be a dissatisfaction to see “This video is not available” when you’re eagerly attempting to watch your favorite content. The causes why videos may be unavailable on YouTube are multiple, ranging from regional restrictions to technical problems.

But, there are several straightforward and efficient methods to troubleshoot this error message. In this article, we will examine some of the most useful methods to resolve the “This video is not available” error on YouTube. By following the recommended steps, you can enjoy uninterrupted video streaming on YouTube.

About the “The video is not available” message on YouTube

Many users complain of the error “The video is not available” when they try to play a video on YouTube.

Sometimes this error happens due to minor problems with browser settings or corrupt files. The frequency of this error is unexpected, and one cannot tell the actual reason behind it. It is irritating to users when they don’t get access to desired details at the right time. So, we have found some possible causes and solutions to help in resolving the problem.

Solutions for “This video is not available” message on YouTube

Multiple workarounds can help users resolve an error like the “This video is not available” message.

These solutions rely upon the reasons which can be responsible for the problem. If you are not sure about the reason, you can track a trial-and-error process to get access to the YouTube video again. Check the following solutions to resolve the video not playing issue.

1. Refresh the web browser

  • First, check the existing internet connection, and network speed, and refresh the web page a few times. If it doesn’t aid, close the presently opened web browser for viewing the video and then restart the web browser. Then test opening the YouTube video again.
  • Other possibilities are re-installing the existing web browser and using another web browser for running the YouTube video.

2. Empty the cache

The corrupted cached files on your device can block the functioning of the web browser, leading to an error like “This video is not available” on YouTube. These files keep temporary data on devices, which can be cleared to improve YouTube video-playing issues. Complete these steps to clear the cache:

  1. Launch your web browser, click on the 3 dots on the top right, and click on Settings.
  2. Then choose the Privacy, search, and Services option from the left panel.
  3. Now, proceed to the right panel and scroll to the Clear browsing data section.
  4. Next, click on Select what to clear option and then choose from the given options. Click on Clear now to clear the cache.

3. Try disabling or removing the extensions

Some false extensions to your web browser can create problems in running online videos, including YouTube videos. So, you need to determine those extensions and disable/remove them. If you have newly installed any extension and the problem began after that, that is a cause for concern. Here is the procedure to disable the problematic extension.

  1. Click on the 3 dots on the top right of your web browser.
  2. Then click on the Extensions option from the drop-down list.
  3. Go to the Installed Extensions section, and against the selected extension, toggle off the switch to disable it. Or you can instantly click on the Remove option underneath it to remove that individual extension.

4. Disable the hardware acceleration (if enabled on your system)

The hardware acceleration feature on the systems uses the CPU for rendering videos. However it can impact the performance of the CPU and can make problems like the “The video is not available” message on YouTube. So, you should disable the hardware acceleration feature on your browser.

  1. Click on the browser Settings option.
  2. Then, click on the System option from the left panel.
  3. On the right panel, toggle off the switch against Usage hardware acceleration when available.
  4. Click on the Restart option to restart the web browser and make the setting shift take result.

5. Change the video quality settings

The present quality settings of the video may not be suitable for running certain HD videos and may be impacted by slow internet speed or hardware issues. So, try changing the Video Quality from the YouTube settings.

  1. Open the YouTube video, which is throwing the error.
  2. Click on the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the video.
  3. Go to the Quality section and choose a different solution for the video.
  4. Now close the video and try re-opening it.

6. Try the default web browser settings

If the users have changed the web browser settings randomly for various requirements, it is possible that the new combination of the browser settings is not appropriate for online videos. So, it is recommended to change back to the default web browser settings and then run the YouTube video.

To reset the default settings of your web browser, these are the steps.

  1. Open the browser settings.
  2. Go to the Reset settings section and click on it.
  3. Next, click on the option Reset settings to their default values.
  4. Ensure this operation and wait until the resetting procedure is completed.

7. Use a VPN-

If you face the “This video is not available” error message on YouTube, it may be due to geo-restrictions set by the content uploader or your location. In this case, utilizing a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can allow bypass these limitations and allow you to view the content.

A VPN encrypts your internet connection switches your IP address and delivers you access to content from other regions. It’s important to choose a respectable VPN provider and connect to a server in a region where the content is available.

8. Try changing the video quality-

To restore the “This video is not available” error on YouTube, try modifying the video quality settings. If you are experiencing this problem, there may be a problem with the video’s original resolution. Lowering the video quality options can often fix this error and permit you to watch the video.

To adjust the video quality, click the gear icon in the video player and choose a lower resolution option. If this doesn’t function, try restarting your device.

9. Uninstall and reinstall the browser-

If none of the above strategies have worked out for you, then an unidentified problem in the web browser could be behind all the problems. A simple way to fix this is by uninstalling the browser. After a while, reinstall it and start fresh.

We have discussed some manual answers for the YouTube video problem “The video is not available.” But, if you are encountering such an error with the video file on your system (including downloaded YouTube videos), the video file may be crooked. You need to repair it with a trustworthy Video repair solution.

Conclusion

When it comes to setting the “This video is not available” error on YouTube, users are required to first check their internet connection, keep their browser up to date clear cached files, and carry out other steps included in the post. They should also test refreshing the page or watching the video on a distinct device.

If all previous steps fail, then users should think of downloading special software such as Kernel Video Repair that can help fix videos with corruptions or errors. With these steps, users will be able to resolve this common issue and continue watching their favorite YouTube videos without any interruption.

Eram N.
Author: Eram N.

I have been serving web content with my passionate writing skills since 2020. My skills have benefited clients from 20 countries, resulting in 10x audience interactions, improved readability, and SEO-friendly content.

Eram N.
I have been serving web content with my passionate writing skills since 2020. My skills have benefited clients from 20 countries, resulting in 10x audience interactions, improved readability, and SEO-friendly content.