YouTube is currently experiencing a significant outage, affecting numerous users who are reporting issues accessing video previews. Since around 1:00 p.m. ET, more than 5,000 individuals have indicated problems on DownDetector, with many encountering a blank screen instead of video content.
While some users claim the platform is working albeit slowly, the widespread reports suggest that a substantial number are unable to use the website effectively. The outage seems primarily focused on YouTube’s webpage, with users expressing frustration over streaming difficulties. As of around 2:30 p.m.
ET, the number of outage reports peaked. Among those affected, 83% encountered website-related issues, while 15% reported issues specifically with video streaming, and 3% had trouble accessing the YouTube app altogether. Affected locations include major cities such as New York City, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, along with several regions in Canada and beyond.
Despite the widespread disruption, neither Google nor YouTube has made an official acknowledgment of the situation. Many users have taken to social media to discuss their experiences, with some reporting a notable increase in ad-blocker warnings on the platform. A temporary workaround suggested by users involves disabling ad blockers to regain access to the site.
It is worth noting that YouTube’s ad revenue is crucial for Google, with reports indicating that YouTube ads generated $8.93 billion in the first quarter of 2025 alone. With the ongoing outage, revenue generation for the platform may be significantly impacted. Fortunately, reports of the outage are beginning to decline, suggesting that YouTube may soon return to normal functionality.