YouTube TV black screen? Here's what to try

⚡ Fast fix

• Check another app first. If Netflix or Hulu works, it’s likely a YouTube TV issue—not your TV.
• Switch HDMI inputs. If you’re using a streaming device, make sure the input itself isn’t the problem.
• Restart everything fully. Unplug your TV or Roku for 60 seconds—don’t just power it off.
• If the screen stays black after this, reinstall the app. That clears most corrupted playback errors.

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You open YouTube TV®, select a channel, and instead of live TV you get… a black screen. No picture. Maybe you still hear audio. Maybe it’s completely silent. When YouTube TV suddenly stops showing video, it can feel like the app just gave up mid-stream.

Asurion Experts see this happen all the time. A YouTube TV black screen usually comes down to one of three things: an HDMI issue, an app glitch, or a device-specific problem. Let’s narrow it down.

Is it an HDMI issue?

If you’re using a Roku®, Fire TV®, Apple TV®, or another streaming device, the YouTube TV black screen might not be the app—it could be the HDMI connection.

Here’s how to check:

1. Switch to another HDMI input on your TV.
2. Try a different HDMI cable if you have one.
3. Plug the streaming device into a different HDMI port.

If the picture returns on another input, the issue was likely the HDMI port or cable—not YouTube TV itself.

If you’re using a smart TV with the YouTube TV app built in, skip to the next section.

Why is YouTube TV not showing picture on Roku?

If the black screen only happens inside YouTube TV on Roku:

1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
2. Highlight YouTube TV.
3. Press the * button and select Remove channel.
4. Restart the Roku by going to Settings > System > Power > System restart.
5. Reinstall YouTube TV from the Channel Store.

This clears corrupted app data that can cause black screen playback errors.

If that doesn’t fix it, check for Roku system updates, as outdated software can cause display issues. Go to Settings > System > Software update > Check now.

Why is YouTube TV showing a black screen on my Samsung TV?

On Samsung smart TVs, black screen issues are often tied to cached app data or firmware problems. Try this:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select Support.
3. Choose Device Care (or Self Diagnosis, depending on model).
4. Run App Repair or clear app cache if available.

Then check for updates:

• Go to Settings > Support > Software Update.
• Install any available firmware updates.

If the issue continues, delete and reinstall the YouTube TV app from the Samsung app store.

Could it just be a YouTube TV app glitch?

Yes—and it happens more often than people expect. If YouTube TV opens but only shows a black screen:

• Force close the app.
• Restart your device completely.
• Make sure the app is updated.

If multiple apps are showing black screens, the issue is likely device-level or HDMI-related—not YouTube TV specifically.

When to reinstall the YouTube TV app

Reinstalling is worth trying if:

• The black screen only happens in YouTube TV.
• The app loads but won’t play video.
• Restarting didn’t fix it.

Deleting and reinstalling removes corrupted files that simple updates don’t clear.

When it’s time to look deeper

If YouTube TV still shows a black screen after:

• Testing HDMI cables
• Restarting devices
• Updating firmware
• Reinstalling the app

The issue could be tied to device hardware or deeper network configuration. At that point, it helps to have someone walk through your setup and pinpoint where the breakdown is happening.

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FAQ

Why is my YouTube TV screen black but I can hear sound?

That usually points to an HDMI handshake issue or a video output mismatch. Restarting the device and checking HDMI cables often fixes it.

Why does YouTube TV only show a black screen on one channel?

If it’s channel-specific, it may be a temporary stream issue. Try switching channels and returning.

Does deleting YouTube TV delete my recordings?

No. Your recordings are saved to your YouTube TV account in the cloud.

Why is YouTube TV not working but other apps are?

If other streaming apps work normally, the issue is likely with the YouTube TV app itself—not your TV or internet.