Black screen while watching YouTube (Resolved)

In this digital age, watching YouTube videos and shorts has become a popular pastime and source of information, with millions of users worldwide relying on the platform for its stability and reliability.

But sometimes, you might experience the issue of the screen going black while watching a YouTube video, especially when using a browser. It can be frustrating, no matter whether you're watching something exciting or something important.

To better understand, this article will elaborate on the reasons behind the YouTube black screen issue and provide you with six of the best solutions to fix it. Let's get started!

Why does the screen go black while watching YouTube?

Here's a list of factors that might cause your screen to go black while watching YouTube on your computer:

• This could be due to an unstable internet connection or weak signal, preventing the video from loading properly.
• Your browser might be an outdated version, or it could have accumulated a large amount of cache and cookies.
• You might have installed browser extensions or plugins to enhance functionality, some of which, like ad blockers, might be interfering with the video's normal loading.
• Sometimes, there could be software or hardware issues with your computer that lead to a black screen display.

6 Ways to Fix YouTube Black Screen Issue

Encountering a black screen while watching YouTube videos can certainly be frustrating. But fear not, as there are several practical solutions, each accompanied by detailed steps to guide you through the process.

Fix 1: Check your network connection

In order to load YouTube videos properly, you need a stable and fast internet connection. Otherwise, you might see a black screen, or the video might only play audio with no picture. So first, check your internet. Here's a guide on how to make sure your connection is reliable:

First, tap the “Wi-Fi” icon to turn on your connection and check your signal strength. If it's weak, videos might not load properly. Try restarting your modem or connecting to a network with a stronger signal.

Step 2. Also, check if any other program is using too much of your network resources. If so, close that program, as it might be causing the video playback issues.

Step 3: Once the signal is stable, open YouTube in your browser and try refreshing the page. This might fix the black screen issue on its own.

Check the network connection

Fix 2: Disable browser extensions and plugins

Though extensions and plugins enhance the browser's usability, they can interfere with YouTube playback. Therefore, disabling them is necessary to resolve the black screen issue on YouTube. Follow these steps for Google Chrome:

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Step 1: Type “Chrome://extensions” into the address bar in Chrome, and press “Enter.”

Step 2: Next, turn each extension on and off individually to isolate the problem.

DISABLE EXTENSIONS IN CHROME

Fix 3: Clear your browser's history and cache

When corrupted or excessive data causes the YouTube black screen error, you can try fixing it by clearing your browser's history and cache. Here's a quick guide:

Step 1: Click on the three dots icon in the upper-right corner of the Chrome browser, and select "Settings."

Step 2: From the left sidebar, select “Privacy & security,” then expand the “Clear browsing data” window.

Step three: Check “Browsing history” and “Cached images and files.” Then click “Clear data.”

Fix 4: Update your browser

When your web browser isn't up to date, you might experience a black screen when watching short YouTube videos or videos in general. So, here are the complete steps to update your browser:

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Step 1: Click on the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner of Google Chrome, select “Help,” and then click “About Google Chrome.”

Step 2: If an update is found, the browser will update automatically. Finally, click the “Restart” button.

Fix 5: Disable hardware acceleration

Enabling hardware acceleration in computers can boost system performance by offloading some workload to the GPU. However, this often leads to black screens on YouTube. Disabling it might resolve GPU-related issues. Let's look at the steps to disable hardware acceleration: 1. **Windows 10/11:** - **Step 1:** Open the _Settings_ app by pressing `Win + I` or searching for "Settings" in the Start menu. - **Step 2:** Click on _System_ and then select _Display_ from the left panel. - **Step 3:** Scroll down and click on _Advanced display settings_ at the bottom of the page. - **Step 4:** In the next window, click on _Graphics settings_ under the _Related settings_ section. - **Step 5:** Click on _Browse_ and choose _Microsoft Edge_ (or any other browser you're using). - **Step 6:** Click _Add_ and then _Apply_. - **Step 7:** A new window will appear with graphics preferences; choose _Power saving_ mode or _Classic_ rendering. - **Step 8:** Restart your browser to apply the changes. 2. **MacOS:** - **Step 1:** Launch _System Preferences_ by clicking on its icon in the Dock or using Spotlight search (`Cmd + Space`). - **Step 2:** Click on _Safari_ (or your preferred browser) if it's listed under _Internet & Network_, or search for it. - **Step 3:** Select _Preferences_ from the Safari menu (or the equivalent for your browser). - **Step 4:** Click on the _Advanced_ tab and check the box that says _Always use system-native interface_. - **Step 5:** Close the preferences and restart Safari. 3. **Chromebook:** - **Step 1:** Sign in to your Chromebook and open the _Chrome browser_. - **Step 2:** Type `chrome://flags` in the address bar and press Enter. - **Step 3:** Search for "hardware" in the search bar. - **Step 4:** Find the flag called "_Override software rendering list_" and change its status to _Enabled_. - **Step 5:** At the bottom of the page, click on _Relaunch Now_ for the changes to take effect. After following these steps, restart your computer and check if the YouTube black screen issue persists. If the problem continues, there might be other underlying issues that require further troubleshooting.

Step 1: Click on the hamburger icon in Google Chrome and select “Settings.” Now, click on “System” from the sidebar.

Step 2: Then, turn off the “Use available graphics acceleration” switch. Done!

Method 6: Open the Video in Another Browser

If the issue persists, try opening YouTube videos in a different browser. Sometimes, compatibility issues between a browser and YouTube can cause black screen problems. Here's how:

Step one: Download and install another browser, such as Opera, from its official website.

Step 2: Launch your web browser and open a YouTube video to see if the issue is resolved. That's it!

"The Final Chapter"

If you experience black screen issues while watching YouTube, don't worry. Though there can be various reasons for this, the solutions outlined above should help you easily overcome this problem. Try each method to unlock a seamless video-watching experience on YouTube without any black screens!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my screen go black when I try to go full screen?

A black screen in full-screen mode is typically due to an outdated or corrupted graphics driver causing display issues. However, enabled hardware acceleration options could also be the culprit.

How can I prevent my screen from turning off when not in use?

To prevent your Windows computer from going black screen when idle, do the following:

1. Open the "Control Panel" and search for Power Options. 2. From the left side, select the "Change plan settings" option, then from the drop-down menu set "Turn off the display" to "Never." 3. Also, set "Put the computer to sleep" to "Never." Click "Apply" to save your changes.