Most of the time, YouTube offers uninterrupted video watching. However, even the worlds largest video streaming platform fails to deliver sometimes. In fact, many users report issues of YouTube pausing videos on their devices. If youve been experiencing the same problem, youve come to the right place.
This article will help you understand why YouTube pauses videos and provide actionable tips on how to resolve the issue. Fear not, as the problem is most likely not as serious as it seems. Without further ado, lets dive in.
Why Does YouTube Keep Pausing?
If youve been on YouTube for a while, chances are youve experienced some kind of issue with the app at one time or another. Occasional video pausing is rarely a cause for concern. However, if the issue happens too often, the problem may need further investigation.
There are many reasons why your video may pause, from YouTubes default settings or browser problems to outdated software or a slow internet connection.
Lets take a more detailed look at the most common reasons for YouTube video pausing. After that, well list the steps to help solve the issue regardless of the cause.
YouTube Default Settings
The principal reason your YouTube video may pause is because the Auto-Pause feature is set by default. This feature is designed to pause the videos if youve been inactive on the device for a while and prevent you from missing important details in the content you were watching.
However, you may be playing a music playlist while cleaning your room and not be operating the computer for a while. In this instance, the auto-pause feature would ruin the whole experience.
Network Issues
If you experience network disruption, your YouTube video may pause. Maybe the video is buffering, or theres a server error at the moment. YouTubes in-built algorithm pauses the video every time theres a network issue unless the video is fully downloaded.
Browser Issues
Other than internet issues, certain browsers can cause YouTube to pause videos. There can be a glitch caused by the cookies or cache files, or some extensions may interrupt the video from loading properly.
YouTube Faults
As fantastic as YouTube is, its not fully resistant to technical faults or bugs. If youre sure theres nothing wrong on your end, its worth checking YouTubes Help Center or the Known Issues page for ongoing technical issues on the platform itself.
Remind Me to Take a Break Is On
Do you use YouTubes latest feature called Remind Me to Take a Break? If so, it may be one of the reasons why your video pauses at a certain time.
How to Stop YouTube From Auto Pausing?
Now that we listed the most common reasons why a YouTube video may pause, its time to move to the main part solving the issue.
Tweak YouTube Auto-Pause Settings
If YouTube pauses a video and asks if you want to Continue watching? then the Auto-pause feature is enabled.
You can turn this feature off by using an extension. There are plenty of options out there and not all work for all browsers. For example, AutoTube YouTube nonstop is available for Chrome and Firefox.
To install AutoTube on Chrome, follow the steps below:
- Download the AutoTube extension by clicking on Add to Chrome.
- Continue by clicking Add extension.
- The extension will install automatically, and youll be able to watch YouTube videos without auto-pausing.
To install AutoTube on Firefox, follow the steps below:
- Go to AutoTube on Mozilla Addons.
- Click on Add to Firefox, then Add.
- The add-on will install and be active immediately.
The next time the Continue watching? tab appears, the extension will immediately resume the video.
If the auto-pause feature is not the problem, continue with the steps below.
Check Your Internet Connection
If you run into a playback issue with one video on YouTube, try playing another one. If it takes longer to load the page or the video buffers for longer than seems normal, go to another app, or simply run a Google search to check if your internet connection is stable. If nothing loads, restart your router or contact your internet service provider to investigate the issue further.
Clear YouTube Cache
YouTube cache stores some of your previously watched videos and loads them faster when you play them again. Too many videos in the cache can slow down the app, resulting in videos pausing too frequently.
Heres how to clear the YouTube cache:
- Open the Settings page on your mobile device or browser.
- Find the YouTube app on your mobile device or navigate to Storage and Memory in the browser settings.
- Find the Clear cache option and apply it. Be careful not to select Clear Data, as this will remove all your YouTube data.
Disable Your Antivirus
Third-party apps or extensions can conflict with your YouTube service. If your antivirus software or other app perceives YouTube as a threat, it can prevent you from finishing the video. Shut down any software you believe may interfere with your YouTube experience, especially the antivirus program.
Turn Off the Remind Me to Take a Break Feature
Follow the steps below to turn off this feature:
- Navigate to YouTube settings.
- Head to the General section.
- Turn the Remind me to take a break option off.
If this was the issue, your YouTube videos wont pause anymore.
Update the App
Does your YouTube app keep pausing videos even after you cleared the cache and rebooted the app? Make sure youre running YouTubes latest version. Just find YouTube under the Apps section in your phone settings and check if theres an update available.
Watch YouTube Without Interruptions
Having your YouTube video pause is never a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, its a relatively common issue. The good thing is that its easily solvable. Most often, the problem lies in the auto-pause feature, or your internet connection needs a double-check.
This article listed the most common reasons why YouTube may pause your videos automatically and provided some easy fixes. If the auto-pause feature isnt the problem and your YouTube video keeps pausing, its worth trying the alternative steps listed above.
Which method helped you solve the problem? Share your experiences in the comments below.