5 Ways to Fix “Something Went Wrong” on YouTube for iPhone

Can’t watch YouTube on your iPhone due to the “Something went wrong, tap to retry” error? Here’s how to fix it.

Why Does YouTube Keep Showing “Something Went Wrong” Error

The “Something went wrong” error message in the YouTube app is primarily caused by a weak or unstable internet connection on your iPhone. That said, problems with your Google account, DNS server, and other network settings can also lead to this error.

Before you move on to the solutions, it’s a good idea to visit Downdetector to ensure YouTube’s servers are running fine. If there is a widespread issue, your only option is to wait for YouTube to fix the issue on its end.

Fix 1. Ensure YouTube is Allowed to Use Mobile Data

Your first step is to ensure that YouTube is allowed to use mobile data on your iPhone. For that, open the Settings app and scroll down to tap on YouTube. Then, enable the toggle next to Mobile Data.

Fix 2. Sign Out and Sign Back In

Another thing you can do is sign out of the YouTube app and sign back in. If the “Something went wrong” error is occurring due to an authentication issue with your account, signing out and back in should help.

Step 1: In the YouTube app, tap the profile icon in the top right corner.

Step 2: Tap on your account name and select the Use YouTube signed out option.

Step 3: Tap the profile icon again and select the Sign in option to add your account again.

Fix 3. Change DNS Server

By default, your iPhone uses the DNS server your ISP (Internet Service Provider) provides. However, issues with that default server can cause apps like YouTube to malfunction. You can try switching to a different DNS server to see if that helps.

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone and select Wi-Fi. Tap the info icon next to your Wi-Fi network.

Step 2: Scroll down to the DNS section and select Configure DNS.

Step 3: Select Manual and remove any prefilled entries under DNS Servers.

Step 4: Tap Add Server and type 8.8.8.8 in it. Create another entry and type 8.8.4.4 in it. Then, hit Save.

Fix 4. Temporarily Disable VPN

Are you using a VPN connection to watch YouTube videos that are unavailable in your country? If so, issues with the VPN service can trigger such errors in the YouTube app. Hence, it’s a good idea to disable your VPN connection momentarily and see if that works.

Fix 5. Reset Network Settings

A recent change to your iPhone’s network settings may have caused this error. Instead of verifying each network setting individually, it’s easier to reset them all and start over.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on the Reset option at the bottom and choose Reset Network Settings.

Enter your lock screen password to verify your identity, and follow the on-screen prompts to finish the network reset process.

If the issue persists, try updating the YouTube app on your iPhone as a last resort. This should most probably fix the issue.