Alex Ruben
How To Disable YouTube AutoPlay on Your TV
If you’re someone who hates the endless loop of videos after just one, or maybe you’re trying to conserve data, turning off AutoPlay on YouTube TVs is a solid move. Honestly, it’s kinda weird how at first, you think it’s just a bug, but nope — it’s just how YouTube is set up on some devices. This guide walks through the best ways to shut it down, so you’re not stuck watching stuff you didn’t pick. Expect a more chill, controlled viewing session once it’s done. Just a heads-up, sometimes toggles like these don’t save immediately, or settings revert if apps crash, so a quick restart might be needed.
How to Fix YouTube AutoPlay on Your TV
Accessing the YouTube Application
First off, open up the YouTube app on your TV—use that remote because yeah, you need to navigate to the app icon, usually under Apps or on your home screen. Once it’s loaded, make sure you’re on the main page or in a video. Sometimes things don’t work if the app isn’t fully loaded or if your firmware is outdated. On some setups, the app can be buggy, so if it’s not responding, try closing and reopening it or even restarting the TV.
Finding the Settings Menu
Once inside YouTube, use the arrow keys on your remote to move left or right until you see the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) or the gear icon—depends on your TV’s layout. Some models have a Settings option right at the bottom of the side menu, while others might have a gear symbol at the top. If navigating seems weird, check for a small Settings button overlay at the corner of the screen. On one setup I tried, clearing cache or updating the app helped make the menu options appear more reliably.
Disabling AutoPlay for Next Videos
This is the big one. Inside the settings menu, look for the option called Autoplay next video or sometimes just Autoplay. Usually, it’s a toggle switch. Turning it off means once a video ends, YouTube won’t jump to another, giving you the control. Be aware that sometimes, this toggle is under a nested submenu, like General Settings or Playback. If it looks like it’s not saving, try closing the app completely or rebooting the TV. On some devices, toggling this setting once doesn’t seem to stick, so a quick restart might actually be necessary for changes to take effect.
Stopping Video Previews from Auto-Playing
If you’re seeing little previews pop up when you hover over videos, that’s another setting to turn off. Keep scrolling through the menu until you see a Previews or Video Previews option. Usually, it’s another toggle. Switching this to Off prevents those quick snippets from showing as you browse, making the whole experience less cluttered. Sometimes, the option isn’t right there, or the change doesn’t happen immediately—still, a restart of the app or TV can fix it.
Additional Tips & Common Troubles
Here’s what else can help avoid the usual pitfalls:
- Make sure your YouTube app is up to date — some bugs get fixed with recent updates. Check the app store on your TV or device for the latest version.
- If settings keep reverting or don’t save, try clearing the app cache. For most smart TVs, you find it under Settings > Apps > YouTube > Clear Cache. Sometimes, deleting and reinstalling the app might help too.
- Old firmware on your TV can cause weird issues—check the TV’s firmware version in Settings > Support > Software Update. Update if needed.
- On some models, using a keyboard to navigate might make some UI parts more responsive, especially when toggling options.
Wrap-up
A quick flip of some switches in the YouTube app’s settings can dramatically reduce the unwanted autoplay videos and previews. It’s kind of a hassle because every device can have its quirks, but once it’s set, you get that more laid-back viewing experience. Expect some fiddling, especially if the settings revert after a reboot or update. On the bright side, it’s usually a one-time fix or something you can do through the settings menu fairly easily.
Summary
- Navigate to the YouTube app on your TV
- Open the menu and find Settings
- Turn off Autoplay next video
- Disable Previews if needed
- Restart the app or TV if changes don’t save immediately
Final Thoughts
Hope this gets one less thing to irritate you during chill time. Once that toggling is done and settings stick, it’s a lot more peaceful, especially if you’re trying to avoid that endless autoplay loop. Just remember, sometimes it’s a matter of patience with the app, and a bit of trial and error. Fingers crossed this helps or at least makes it more manageable. Good luck!