Recently, many users have reported that YouTube is not loading up or playing videos properly in Safari on their Macs. If you are someone who loves to watch videos while working, this issue would seem to be rather frustrating. But fret not! I’ve already put together the 17 best tips and tricks to fix the YouTube not working in Safari on Mac in macOS Sequoia 15 or later. Read on to…
Fix YouTube Not Working in Safari on Mac
So, what prevents YouTube from working in Safari? Frankly speaking, it is due to many factors such as browser cache, outdated settings, misconfigured features, and even third-party interference.
1. Restart Safari
To get going, I’d suggest you restart Safari. Note that temporary glitches or memory overloads can affect YouTube performance in Safari.
- To do so, you need to first press
Command + Qto quit Safari completely. - After that, reopen Safari from Launchpad or Dock.
- Navigate to YouTube and check if it’s working.
2. Clear Safari Cache and Website Data
It’s important to mention that corrupted or outdated cache files can interfere with loading YouTube properly.
- To do so, launch Safari and click Safari > Settings in the top menu bar.
- After that, go to the Privacy tab.
- Click Manage Website Data, then select Remove All.
- Click Done, then close and relaunch Safari.
3. Disable Safari Extensions
Keep in mind that certain extensions like ad blockers or privacy tools can disrupt YouTube’s scripts.
- To begin with, click Safari menu at the top left > Settings > Extensions.
- Uncheck all enabled extensions.
- Reload the YouTube tab and check playback.
- Re-enable extensions one at a time to find the problematic one.
4. Update Safari and macOS
Outdated software may lack compatibility with modern sites like YouTube.
- Click the Apple logo and go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, click Update Now and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Once updated, relaunch Safari and open YouTube.
5. Disable Content Blockers
Content blockers can block video elements, scripts, or ads needed by YouTube to function.
- Open YouTube in Safari on your macOS device.
- Click the “aA” icon in the address bar.
- Choose Turn Off Content Blockers from the dropdown menu.
- Refresh the page and check if the video plays.
6. Check Internet Connection
A weak or unstable internet connection can cause YouTube videos to load slowly or not at all.
- Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar to ensure you’re connected.
- Try loading another site to verify the connection.
- Restart your Wi-Fi router if necessary.
- Switch to a different network if the issue persists.
7. Enable JavaScript in Safari
JavaScript is required for YouTube’s video player and dynamic content to load properly.
- Open Safari and go to Safari > Settings > Security.
- Make sure Enable JavaScript is checked.
- Close settings and reload YouTube.
8. Turn Off Experimental Features
Enabled experimental features may unintentionally break functionality on YouTube.
- Open Safari and click Develop > Experimental Features.
- Disable any features that are turned on, especially if you don’t recognize them.
- Restart Safari and revisit YouTube.
9. Check Date & Time Settings
An incorrect system time can cause SSL errors or prevent Safari from loading sites like YouTube.
- Go to System Settings > General > Date & Time.
- Enable Set time and date automatically.
- Restart your Mac and open Safari again.
10. Disable VPN or Proxy
Some VPNs and proxies interfere with video streaming or may restrict YouTube access based on location.
- Open System Settings > Network.
- Select your current network and click Details.
- Disable any VPN or proxy configurations.
- Reconnect and test YouTube in Safari.
11. Reset Safari
Resetting Safari clears personalized settings and returns it to default behavior, which may fix playback problems.
- Open Safari and click Safari > Settings > Privacy.
- Click Manage Website Data and remove all.
- Then go to Settings > Extensions and disable all.
- Restart Safari and try loading YouTube again.
12. Try YouTube in Private Window
A private window disables extensions and skips cache, helping rule out stored data or plugin interference.
- Open Safari and click File > New Private Window.
- Visit youtube.com and check if videos play normally.
13. Use Safe Mode
Booting into Safe Mode clears caches and runs only essential system processes, which can help isolate software conflicts.
- Restart your Mac and hold the Shift key until the login screen appears.
- Log in and open Safari in Safe Mode.
- Test YouTube and see if it works.
14. Check YouTube Server Status
The issue may be with YouTube itself, not your browser or system.
- Visit downdetector.com or search “YouTube down” on Google.
- If there’s a known outage, wait for Google to fix the issue.
- Retry after some time.
15. Remove YouTube Site Data Only
Removing YouTube-specific cookies and cache can fix broken scripts or loading errors on that site alone.
- On your launch Safari and go to Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.
- Search for “YouTube” in the search bar.
- Select it and click Remove.
- Reload YouTube and test playback.
16. Allow Auto-Play on YouTube
It’s worth pointing out that Safari may block YouTube videos from auto-playing, which can cause the video not to start.
- Navigate to youtube.com and right-click the address bar.
- Now, click Settings for This Website.
- Next to Auto-Play, select Allow All Auto-Play.
- Refresh the page.
17. Switch to Another Browser
No solution as yet? If Safari continues to have issues, using another browser can confirm whether Safari is the problem.
- Download Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.
- Open YouTube in a new browser.
- Check if the issue persists or is Safari-specific.
Wrapping up…
There you go! That wraps up our guide on fixing YouTube not working in Safari on your Mac. Each of these methods targets a specific cause, from browser settings to internet connectivity and system configuration.
Be sure to go through them one by one, and you should be back to watching your favorite videos in no time. If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more Mac troubleshooting tips from our channel!
