Alex Ruben
How To Resolve the “Try Searching to Get Started” Issue on YouTube
When YouTube suddenly throws up that annoying “Try searching to get started” message, it can really kill the vibe. Usually, it’s not a big deal, but sometimes it signals a glitch — maybe your account’s got a hiccup, or the app just isn’t syncing right. Fixing this might save you from endless refreshes or reinstalling apps over and over. This guide covers a few practical tricks that have worked on different setups, whether it’s on a phone, desktop, or smart TV.
How to Fix the “Try Searching to Get Started” Issue on YouTube
Check Your Internet Connection
This one’s pretty straightforward, but enough people overlook it. YouTube needs a decent connection, especially for loading personalized stuff or recommendations. If your Wi-Fi is shaky, that might explain why it’s stuck on this message.
- Try opening other websites or streaming videos on different apps to see if anything else works.
- Reboot your router — unplug it for like 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
- If you’re on Wi-Fi, make sure you’re not too far from your router; walls and distance can deplete signal strength.
Sometimes, simply restarting your device helps refresh network settings, so give that a shot too.
Disable Incognito Mode or Guest Sessions
If you’re watching YouTube in Incognito or a guest mode, some personalized features might be limited, messing with recommendations and UI. It’s worth checking if that’s the case.
- Tap or click on your profile icon at the bottom right or top right, depending on your platform.
- If you see an option like Turn off Incognito or switch back to your account, do that.
- Check if the “Try searching” banner goes away and recommendations come back.
This applies on mobile apps and desktop browsers alike—on some setups, Incognito just blocks some functions.
Turn On Watch History
Sometimes, your history might be paused, so YouTube’s recommendation engine isn’t active, resulting in that “try searching” message. It’s kinda weird, but it’s happened to a few folks.
- Tap on your profile icon and go to Settings.
- Find Manage all history or History & Privacy.
- Make sure Pause watch History isn’t enabled. If it is, turn it off.
- Expect recommendations to start appearing gradually after that.
Not sure why, but on some gadgets, this is the culprit for getting stuck on a search screen.
Clear Cache and Data (For Mobile Devices)
This one’s a classic fix when apps behave poorly. Cached data can get corrupted or outdated, especially if the app has been sitting around for a while. Clearing it forces the app to reload fresh data, often fixing weird display or functional hiccups.
- Open Settings on your device.
- Go into Apps or Application Manager.
- Scroll to find YouTube.
- Head into Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache then Clear Data.
Warning: clearing data logs you out, so have your login info handy. On some devices, this reset can also wipe custom settings, but it’s worth a shot.
Update the YouTube App
Running an outdated app isn’t usually the root cause, but it can be part of the problem. Developers push updates for bug fixes and improvements, so staying current helps avoid glitches.
- Open the Google Play Store or App Store.
- Search for YouTube.
- If you see an update available, tap Update.
On some setups, you might need to restart the app or device afterward to see the difference.
Restart Your Device
Sounds kinda basic, but sometimes all it takes is a hard reboot to clear out temporary glitches. Don’t underestimate this step, especially on flaky or heavily used devices. It resets background services that might be interfering with YouTube’s functioning.
Just turn it off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. Check if the error still shows after booting.
If That Didn’t Help, Here’s What Might
Sometimes, the problem is on YouTube’s end—outages or account issues. It’s worth checking sites like Downdetector for ongoing outages.
Also, try uninstalling the app and reinstalling it fresh—this fixes corrupted files or weird settings that just won’t go away.
For desktop users, don’t forget to clear your browser cache (Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Chrome or similar shortcuts on other browsers). Sometimes, local cache corruptions can cause display glitches.
Wrap-up
Anyway, those are the main tricks that tend to fix the “Try searching to get started” mess. Regularly checking your connection, keeping the app updated, and making sure your history isn’t paused can prevent this from happening again. Sometimes, it’s just a weird sync bug or a minor glitch that clears up after a reboot or app reinstall. Fingers crossed this helps someone avoid wasting too much time hunting for a fix.
Summary
- Check and restart your internet connection
- Disable Incognito mode or guest sessions if active
- Ensure watch history is enabled
- Clear app cache/data on mobile devices
- Update the YouTube app
- Reboot your device for good measure
- Check for outages or try reinstalling if needed
All in all
Hopefully, these steps get that feature back for you. It can be annoying, but most of the time, it’s just a minor glitch that’s fixable. Good luck, and may your recommendations return soon — now go enjoy your videos!