YouTube is an extremely popular video-sharing website, and it´s also the world’s second most popular search engine. Placed at the second position, after a Google that happens to be an owner of YouTube too.
In general, YouTube is handling fine around the world, but each of use can face certain issues while watching videos.
Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to fix the most common YouTube 400 error on your computer, and phone.
How To Fix YouTube Error 400 On Computer
Since Error 400 is nothing but a bad request problem, there is no common reason to seeing this issue on YouTube. Here are a few ways to fix it.
Log In YouTube Again
The simplest and fastest way how to deal with YouTube error 400 is to try log out of your YouTube account and log in back again.
Use Incognito Mode In Google Chrome
If Youtube has an issue to open a video for you, another simple solution is going into Chrome incognito mode. While facing error 400 on google, going into incognito mode will show you if there are problems with your Chrome settings.
STEP 1: Open Google Chome.
STEP 2: Tap on Menu icon (three vertical dots) at the top right corner.
STEP 3: Click on New incognito window on the menu.
STEP 4: Open YouTube in the incognito mode and watch any video you want.
Clear The Cache And Cookies From Your Browser
Cookies are small text files written by a web browser that contain information about your interaction with one specific site. It is always a good idea to clear cache and cookies regularly because they sometimes cause browser issues.
If YouTube is working fine in the Chrome incognito mode, but you cant watch videos on regular Chrome, then deleting the cache and cookies is the way to go.
STEP 1: Open Google Chome.
STEP 2: Tap on the Menu icon (three vertical dots) at the top right corner.
STEP 3: Click More tools and then Clear browsing data.
STEP 4: Choose the All-time option and click Clear browsing data.
Update Chrome
Can’t watch YouTube videos in Chrome? Check out if you have the latest version of Chrome.
STEP 1: Click on the Menu icon (three vertical dots) in the top right corner of Chrome.
STEP 2: Select Help and choose About Google Chrome.
STEP 3: You will see a new page and if there’s an update available, just click Install and follow instructions.
Replace The Direct Link To The YouTube Video With Video ID
Another simple solution on how to fix error 400 while browsing for a YouTube video is to replace the link to the video with the video ID. It sounds difficult, but don’t worry. This solution is quite easy.
All you need to do is find the YouTube video ID. Here are the step by step instructions:
STEP 1: Go to YouTube and open any video.
STEP 2: Copy the combination of numbers and letters after a = (equal sign) from the Chrome search bar. For example: If the full video URL is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xuOVCnydco then its ID is 3xuOVCnydco.
STEP 3: Paste the video ID into your YouTube search option. Most of the time Error 400 will not be there.
How To Fix YouTube Error 400 On Android
Firstly, log out of the YouTube app, then log in again. If this simple solution doesn’t work, replace the direct YouTube video link with the video ID as we’ve shown you above. It works almost every time. If not, try these solutions:
Restart Your Smartphone
In general, many problems with your smartphone can be fixed by restarting a device. This closes apps running in the background which can cause the issue you are having.
STEP 1: Press and hold the power button on your device.
STEP 2: Tap the restart option that appears on the screen.
STEP 3: After your device turns back on, try watching any video on YouTube.
Clear The App’s Cache And Data
While deleting cookies and cache on the computer can solve the YouTube 400 error, sometimes clearing the cache of your app on your smartphone can do the job as well.
STEP 1: Open the Settings menu of your device.
STEP 2: Tap on Apps and select YouTube.
STEP 3: Select the Storage option and tap on Clear data/Clear cache.
We hope these solutions solve your YouTube issues on a PC or an Android device. Why do we get the YouTube 400 error anyway? Simply put, your client has issued a malformed or illegal request.
These solutions you found in the article are the most common ways how to solve YouTube 400 errors while browsing for a video. However, sometimes it’s not a device or network issue, but an error with Google or YouTube itself.
If you are looking for a simple way on how to grow your YouTube channel and videos, you should try to use the free TubeBuddy Chrome extension.
TubeBuddy – A Must Have Growth Hacking Tool For Every YouTuber
TubeBuddy is probably the best YouTube SEO and growth tool on the market. It’s very easy to use and can be installed on your browser in just a few clicks.
The TubeBuddy extension is free and includes basic tools.
Their free extension offers a ton of functionality that is great for when you’re first starting your channel, and their paid plans offer even more tools to help you grow faster. TubeBuddy has over 65 features that can help you boost your videos into the YouTube algorithm.
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that we will receive a small commission if you purchase from one of our recommendations (at no extra cost to you).
If you need any help regarding YouTube, we have plenty of interesting tutorials right here on YouTube.
Main photo by Christian Wiediger
