How do I fix YouTube TV when local and national channels will not play?
Answer
Confirm you are in the YouTube TV app, not regular YouTube, then check both Home area and Current playback area. Updating the playback area to your real location often restores local and national channels.
Follow these steps
Confirm you are in YouTube TV
Open the YouTube TV app on the TV or streaming device. If you only see regular YouTube videos, install or switch to YouTube TV instead.
You should see: You see the YouTube TV live guide, library, or membership account screens.
Check Home area and playback area
Open YouTube TV settings or account location options and review both Home area and Current playback area.
You should see: You can see the city, ZIP, or DMA currently assigned to each location setting.
Update the playback area
If Current playback area does not match where you are watching, update it to your current location, then return to the live guide.
You should see: Local and national channels for that area appear and can be selected.
Restart the app on the new TV
Force-close YouTube TV or restart the TV, sign back in if needed, and try a local channel again.
You should see: The updated location sticks and the previously missing channels play.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Missing local affiliates or national networks in the YouTube TV guide, and whether Home area and Current playback area match where you actually are.
Before you change anything: Confirm you opened YouTube TV, not the standard YouTube video app. Note the ZIP code or city shown for Home area and Current playback area. Stay signed in to the same Google account that has the YouTube TV membership. Never share your Google password or verification codes with unexpected callers.