Can't Click on YouTube Videos? Here's What You Can do

Run the video playback troubleshooter to bypass the issue

Fix » PC Software

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by Henderson Jayden Harper 

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Key notes

  • YouTube is an online platform for streaming, uploading, and sharing videos.
  • Browser extensions have caused issues with people being unable to click on videos on the platform.
  • Clearing cookies and removing browser extensions helps to fix the error.
what to do if can't click on youtube videos

YouTube is an online video-sharing platform that allows users to upload, view, and share videos. However, there are complaints from users that they can’t click on YouTube videos.

Hence, this article will discuss what you can do if you can’t click on YouTube videos. Likewise, we have a detailed guide on fixing an error that occurred on YouTube on your PC.

Why can’t I click on YouTube videos?

  • Browser cache or cookies might be causing conflicts, preventing you from clicking on videos.
  • An outdated YouTube app or browser may be incompatible with Youtube’s video playback and interaction.
  • Extensions and add-ons installed on browsers, especially ad-blockers or script blockers, can affect YouTube video clicking.
  • Hardware acceleration settings features in some browsers can cause problems with video interaction.
  • Network congestion can hinder the loading of YouTube videos and affect your ability to click on them.
  • Software conflicts or configuration problems may prevent you from viewing YouTube videos.
  • Malware attacks can corrupt the YouTube app or browser, affecting video playback.

What can I do if I can’t click on YouTube videos?

Observe the following preliminary checks before proceeding with advanced troubleshooting.

  • Restart your PC to refresh your system and clear background apps that can interface with YouTube.
  • Check your network connection and check if YouTube having downtime.
  • Switch to the YouTube app. You can use this guide to download the YouTube app for your PC.
  • Restart the YouTube app on your device or close and reopen the YouTube tab on your browser.

1. Run a video Troubleshooter

  1. Left-click the Windows icon, type Settings, and press Enter to open it.
  2. Click the System category, select Troubleshoot from the left pane, and click on Other troubleshooters.
  3. Then, select Video Playback and click the Run button beside it.
  4. Follow the on-screen command, wait for the process to complete, restart your PC and check if the error is solved.

Running the video playback troubleshooter will fix issues with video playback errors.

2. Update the display driver

  1. Right-click the Windows icon and select Device Manager from the list.
  2. Expand the Display Adpaters category, right-click on the display driver name, and select Update driver from the context menu.
  3. Select the Search automatically for the driver from the new Windows and close the window.

The device manager helps to view and control the hardware attached to the computer and update the driver. Further, check our guide about reinstalling devices in Devices Managers Windows.

Sometimes, malfunctioning drivers can cause multiple system errors. If this happens to your PC, you may need to update or reinstall certain drivers entirely. As the process is not quite straightforward, we recommend using a reliable driver updater for the job. Here's how to do it:
  1. Download and install Outbyte Driver Updater.
  2. Launch the software.
  3. Wait for the app to detect all faulty drivers.
    OutByte Driver Updater Scan
  4. Now, it will show you all the malfunctioning drivers listed to select the ones to Update or Ignore.
  5. Click on Update & Apply Selected to download and install the newest versions.
  6. Restart your PC to ensure the applied changes.
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Disclaimer: this program needs to be upgraded from the free version in order to perform some specific actions.

3. Clear browser cache and cookies

  1. Launch the browser from your device.
  2. Click on the three dots on the top right side, select More tools, and click on Clear browsing data.
  3. Select All time from the time range, then check the boxes for Cookies and other site data, and the Cached images and files option. Then click on Clear now.

Clearing the browser cache and cookies will remove all pre-store data, refresh the website, and help you fix issues like YouTube locate not working. If interested, also check our guide about how to clear the computer cache in Windows 11.

4. Remove third-party extensions

  1. Launch the browser from your device.
  2. Click on the three dots on the top right side, select More Tools, and click on Extensions.
  3. Toggle off the new extensions to disable and check if the error persists.
  4. Repeat this process for all Extensions to find the Extensions causing the error.
  5. Select Remove to remove the Extensions causing the error.

Removing the browser extensions will fix issues with ad-blocker extensions that can affect browser functionality.

Conclusively, you can read about the best software for YouTube on Windows and use it to circumvent this problem.

Feel free to leave a question or suggestion in the comments section. We’d like to hear from you.

More about the topics: YouTube

Henderson Jayden Harper

Henderson Jayden Harper Shield

Windows Software Expert

Passionate about technology, Crypto, software, Windows, and everything computer-related, he spends most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world. He also enjoys gaming, writing, walking his dog, and reading and learning about new cultures. He also enjoys spending private time connecting with nature.