You sit down, click on a video, and boom—youtube error code 4 and “This video is unavailable” hits you in the face. No context, no explanation, just vibes and frustration. If that’s what’s happening on your screen, breathe. Youtube error code 4 looks scary, but 9 times out of 10 it’s something small on your device or browser, not some huge permanent ban from YouTube.
In this guide, you’ll see what’s actually going on with youtube error code 4 and what you can do—step by step—to make YouTube behave again.
Table of Contents
What Youtube Error Code 4 Usually Means
Youtube doesn’t explain it well, but youtube error code 4 is basically the player saying:
“I tried to load this video… and something broke along the way.”
Most of the time, youtube error code 4 is linked to one (or a mix) of these:
- A browser extension that’s messing with YouTube (often an ad blocker or script blocker)
- Corrupted cookies or cached files in your browser
- A weak or unstable internet connection
- An outdated browser or app
- A temporary glitch on YouTube’s side
So no, youtube error code 4 doesn’t usually mean “this video is gone forever.” It usually means “your current setup is blocking me.”
Quick Fixes to Try
Before diving into main fixes, lets first try some easy and quick ones. These alone can clear youtube error code 4 for a lot of people.
1. Refresh and Retry
Yeah, it’s boring advice—but it works more than you’d think.
- Hit refresh on the page
- Or close the tab/app and open it again
If youtube error code 4 only appeared once and then disappears after a refresh, it was probably a tiny, one‑time glitch.
2. Test your internet connection
If your connection drops at the wrong moment, youtube error code 4 can show up instead of the video.
- See if other websites or apps are loading fine
- On Wi‑Fi? Toggle it off, wait a second, and turn it back on
- On mobile data? Make sure you still have signal and data left
- Try another YouTube video or even Netflix/another site
If everything else is struggling too, fix the internet first. Youtube error code 4 will usually vanish once your connection is stable again.
Browser and extension fixes (where youtube error code 4 often lives)
This is where a lot of people find the real cause: something in the browser is fighting with YouTube.
3. Turn off ad blockers and similar extensions
Ad blockers and script blockers are the usual suspects behind youtube error code 4. They’re great… until they aren’t.
- Open your browser’s extensions/add‑ons page
- Turn OFF ad blockers, script blockers, and any extensions specifically related to YouTube
- Refresh the YouTube page and try the same video again
If the video suddenly starts working and youtube error code 4 disappears, you just found the problem. From there you can:
- Whitelist youtube.com in your blocker, or
- Leave that extension disabled while you watch YouTube
4. Try incognito / private mode
Incognito mode is like a clean test environment: no old cookies, usually no extensions, and a fresh session.
- Open an incognito/private window
- Go to YouTube and play the same video
If it plays fine here with no youtube error code 4, then:
- Your connection is probably okay
- That video itself is probably okay
- The issue is very likely in your main browser profile (extensions, cache, cookies)
5. Clear YouTube cache and cookies
Old or broken data in your browser can lock youtube error code 4 in place.
General idea:
- Go to your browser’s settings
- Look for “Privacy & security” or “Clear browsing data”
- Clear cookies and cache (at least for YouTube; for some browsers, you can target specific sites)
- Fully close the browser, reopen it, then try YouTube again
Yes, you might have to sign back into some sites, but this step alone fixes youtube error code 4 for a lot of users.
Device, app, and update fixes
If it’s not extensions or cache, it might be the app, the browser version, or the device itself.
6. Restart your device (and router if needed)
The classic IT move works for a reason.
- Restart your computer, phone, or tablet
- If things still feel weird, unplug your router and modem for about 30–60 seconds, then plug them back in
- Once everything’s back online, try the video that was throwing youtube error code 4
A full restart clears out a lot of invisible hiccups that can trigger this error.
7. Update your browser or YouTube app
YouTube evolves fast; if your browser or app is stuck months behind, youtube error code 4 can be its way of complaining.
- On desktop: update Chrome/Edge/Firefox/Safari to the latest version
- On Android/iOS: go to the app store, search for YouTube, and tap Update if it’s available
Once you’re updated, restart the app or browser and check if youtube error code 4 is still there.
8. Sign out and sign back in
Sometimes it’s not the connection or the app—it’s your session.
- Click your profile picture on YouTube and sign out
- Close the browser or app
- Open it again and sign back in
Then try playing the same video. If youtube error code 4 stops, it was likely a weird login token issue.
When youtube error code 4 might not be your fault
So what if you’ve:
- Tried another browser
- Tried your phone and your PC
- Switched Wi‑Fi and mobile data
- Cleared cache and disabled extensions
…and youtube error code 4 still shows on the same video everywhere?
At that point, it may simply be:
- A temporary YouTube bug
- A problem with that specific upload in your region
- A content restriction that manifests as “This video is unavailable” + youtube error code 4
In that case, the only real options are:
- Wait a bit and try again later
- See if other videos work fine (if they do, it’s likely that video, not you)
Quick checklist for youtube error code 4
If you just want a fast list to run through:
- Refresh the video page
- Check your internet on other sites/apps
- Turn off ad blockers and script extensions
- Try incognito/private mode
- Clear cookies and cache (especially for YouTube)
- Restart your device and, if needed, your router
- Update your browser or YouTube app
- Sign out and sign back into YouTube
- Test the same video on a different device or network
Walk through those, and you’ll solve youtube error code 4 in most real‑world situations.
Short FAQs about youtube error code 4
Q1. Why did youtube error code 4 suddenly start today?
You probably changed something—new extension, updated browser, or your internet had a rough moment. Reverse those changes or try the steps above.
Q2. Is youtube error code 4 a virus or hack?
No. It’s almost always a playback/connection issue, not malware. Still, keep your browser and system updated just in case.
Q3. Why does the video work on my phone but not on my PC?
That tells you the problem is likely in your PC browser (extensions, cache, browser version). Your phone proves YouTube and the video are fine.
Q4. Does YouTube sometimes just bug out?
Yes. Sometimes youtube error code 4 appears for a while and then vanishes with no changes on your side. That’s usually a backend glitch on YouTube’s end.
Also Read: How to Save Music from YouTube to Your Files? (Guide 2025)
