Why does the YouTube app keep crashing?
Answer
This is usually caused by a temporary app glitch, an outdated app version, or too much cached data, rather than a device hardware problem. Updating the app and clearing its cache fixes most cases within a few minutes.
Follow these steps
Update the YouTube app
Open the device's app store, search for YouTube, and install any available update rather than assuming it's already current.
You should see: The app store shows YouTube as fully up to date.
Restart the device
Fully restart the phone or tablet rather than just closing the app, to clear any temporary memory issues.
You should see: The device restarts normally and the app can be reopened.
Clear the app's cache
On Android, go to Settings > Apps > YouTube > Storage and clear the cache, not the data, to avoid signing out. On iPhone or iPad, uninstall and reinstall the app instead, since iOS doesn't offer a separate cache-clear option.
You should see: The app opens fresh with old cached thumbnails and data cleared.
Test while signed out
Open the app, tap the profile picture, sign out, then try using the app for a few minutes while signed out.
You should see: The crash either stops while signed out, pointing to an account-related cause, or continues regardless of sign-in state.
Check for background apps competing for memory
Close other apps running in the background, especially anything also playing audio or video, before reopening YouTube.
You should see: YouTube runs more smoothly with fewer other apps active at the same time.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Whether the app closes instantly on opening, only during video playback, or only when something else is also playing in the background, and whether any error message appears at all.
Before you change anything: Confirm the exact device and operating system version being used. Check whether other apps are also crashing, which could point to a wider device issue. Note whether the crash happens on every video or only certain ones. Avoid uninstalling the app until the update and cache steps have been tried.