I’ve been dealing with a major annoyance recently, YouTube TV flickering while I’m trying to watch a show. It’s super frustrating, and I’ve been trying to figure out what’s causing the problem and how to fix it. After doing some research and trying out different solutions, I’m here to share what I’ve learned and the solutions I’ve found. In this blog post titled YouTube TV Flickering (Causes and Fixes), I’ll be discussing the various causes for YouTube TV flickering and how to fix them. I hope my research and experience can help you get your YouTube TV back to normal so you can get back to streaming your favorite shows without any interruptions.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Ensure That Your Internet Connection Is Stable | A poor internet connection is one of the common reasons for YouTube TV flickering. |
| Clear The Cache Data Of Your YouTube TV | Cached data can accumulate over time and cause issues like YouTube TV flickering. |
| Adjust the Video Resolution And Disable Any HD Steaming | Adjusting the video resolution and disabling any HD streaming can help reduce flickering. |
| Power Cycle Your Smart TV | Power cycling your smart TV can help resolve any temporary software glitches that may cause flickering. |
| Reinstall The YouTube TV App | Reinstalling the YouTube TV app can help fix any issues with the app that may cause flickering. |
Table of Contents
How To Fix YouTube TV Flicker
Flickering produced by Smart TV apps, such as YouTube TV, might be caused by various factors, including updates for the YouTube TV app or an unstable internet connection.
With most technologies, a simple restart of the device would resolve the issue. However, the issue can sometimes become a bit technical, and users may need to delve a little further to enjoy a flicker-free experience.
Before we continue, remember that these fixes are only appropriate for TVs that suffer flickering while using the YouTube TV app. If you continue to see flickering outside of the YouTube TV app, it might be due to faulty display connections.
So, starting with a check of your internet connection, here are some of the best ways to repair YouTube TV flicker.
1. Check To Confirm That Your Internet Connection Is Stable
Higher-resolution videos need faster internet since higher-resolution streams need more bandwidth. Streaming a high-definition video with a slow or unstable internet connection may cause your stream to lag or become choppy, and specific devices may experience content flickering.
Use an internet speed test tool to determine whether your Internet connection complies with YouTube TV’s recommended internet speed requirements. See the table below if you’re unsure about the minimum connection speeds needed to view YouTube TV.
| Internet Download Speed | How can YouTube TV perform according to the download speed |
| 25 Mbps or more | 4K Plus customers may watch available shows in 4K resolution. |
| 13 to 20 Mbps | Stream HD video easily, even when other devices on the same network are present. |
| 7 to 10 Mbps | Stream high-definition video. You may have buffering difficulties if several devices are streaming videos or accessing the network simultaneously. |
| 3 to 5 Mbps | You would be able to stream video in standard definition. |
| Below 3 Mbps | YouTube TV may load slowly, rebuffer, and often experience flicker or choppy performance. |
Furthermore, if you are using WiFi, ensure your connection is stable by double-checking the WiFi signal strength. For example, if your TV is too far from the WiFi, you will be experiencing an unstable connection, resulting in choppy, rebuffering, and flickering.
Alternatively, check if your Smart TV has an Ethernet port that can access your router directly with an Ethernet cable. An Ethernet cable will guarantee you get the most out of your internet service package. Alternatively, if all your devices are experiencing an unstable internet connection, you may want to restart your router and wait 30 seconds before powering it back on.
2. Clear The Cache And Data Of Your YouTube TV
Deleting cache data aids in troubleshooting, boosts online loading speed, and improves your Smart TV’s efficiency and apps. With that in mind, apps are often updated, as are many software apps available on all devices, to remove bugs and enhance user experience. Unfortunately, often cache data is not replaced on an update, and old files remain and conflict with updated files.
As a result, if the TV does not load the current version of the program, even if the app has changed since the last visit, the old cache and data files might create performance difficulties. Fortunately, cache data is unimportant since all essential files (including the requisite updated cache and data files) are immediately re-applied when you restart YouTube TV.
This method is one of the most promising methods that helped many YouTube TV viewers fix flickering issues. However, it may be challenging for some Smart TV owners to find the Clear Cache Data option since some models have various ways to access app data. Fortunately, most Smart TVs have a TV manual where owners may find the steps to access this settings feature.
As a result, we will be using Sony TVs as an example. So, to clear cache and data from the YouTube TV app on your Smart TV, do the following:
- Press the HOME button on the included remote control.
- Choose Settings.
- Select Apps from the TV category.
- Choose Youtube TV ( YTTV).
- Choose Clear data.
- Choose Clear cache.
- Use the remote to turn off your Smart TV and remove the plug from the wall (or power source).
- Next, wait 30 seconds, and then plug back in the power cable and switch on your TV.
- Check to confirm if this has fixed your flickering issue.
3. Adjust the Video Resolution And Disable Any HD Steaming
If, despite the preceding methods, YouTube TV continues to flicker on your devices, please reduce the video resolution.
Many Apple TV owners viewing YouTube TV and experiencing continual or intermittent flicker found that switching from High Dynamic Range (HDR) to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) solved their problem. For newer models, switching to the Match Dynamic Range option will automatically switch to and from HDR and SDR.
As a result, this is another technique for resolving the YouTube flicker issue on 4K Apple TVs. The following is how to do this:
- Go to Settings and choose “Enable HDR” under the video setting.
- Select 4K SDR at the highest hertz rate supported by your TV under Format (for most, it would be 60hz).
- Select the highest Chroma figure possible.
- Select “Match Dynamic Range” and “Match Frame Rate” under Match Content.
For other TV models, lower the video quality or cycle through the video quality selections such as 720p or another non-HD quality to lessen or eliminate the issue.
4. Power Cycle Your Smart TV
Per almost every father, performing a power cycle on your TV generally fixes 99 percent of all TV problems. And occasionally, they are correct.
A Smart TV’s operating system may frequently behave erratically and, in most cases, function poorly, which could cause YouTube TV to flicker. What causes the operating system to fail occasionally might be a variety of factors, and in most circumstances, a simple power cycle refreshes the system and reboots all system files and app files. So, to perform a power cycle, do the following:
- If the TV is on, Switch it off.
- Next, unplug the TV from the outlet.
- Wait at least 30 seconds before proceeding.
- Connect the device and switch it on.
That’s it—you just power cycled your Smart TV! Completely removing any form of power from the TV for 30 seconds or more is considered a power cycle, which ensures the TV is refreshed the next time it is turned on. So with any luck, YouTube TV should start working correctly.
6. Reinstall The YouTube TV App
If you’re using the YouTube TV app, reinstalling it may help you troubleshoot YouTube TV flicker. Again, the software is often not installed correctly even when installing apps, such as a network interruption between installations. As a result, the final solution to the problem might be by uninstalling and reinstalling YouTube TV.
Conclusion
The root of YouTube TV flicker can be caused mainly by corrupted files – either from the app or the TV itself or an unstable or poor internet connection. Depending on your TV model, you might approach some of these settings differently; that is where the TV manual may come in handy. However, by applying all these methods, according to various forums, these solutions almost always work!
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