Why is YouTube lagging 2024: Official statements and fixes

Recently, YouTube started lagging and people started asking the question: Why is YouTube lagging 2024, thinking that YouTube was doing this. For years, users seeking refuge from the relentless onslaught of ads on YouTube have turned to ad blockers, a digital shield against the marketing barrage. However, YouTube has thrown down the gauntlet, labeling this practice a violation of its terms of service.

Pre-video ads, a cash cow for the platform, stand as a pillar of its revenue, making YouTube’s stance understandable from a business perspective. The standoff intensifies as the only escape routes offered to users are either abandoning their ad blockers or embracing the premium path. In this article, we will talk about what you should do if you encounter the negativities mentioned.

Since we are a user ourselves, we tried the possibilities that could cause a lag on YouTube in order to better understand the problems experienced by other users and help them find solutions. First of all, ad blockers are the number one factor preventing YouTube from working properly. We saw that when the ad blocker was activated, there were interface freezes and then problems when switching to full screen due to the freezes. In addition, since videos are cached slowly, the recommended videos section either does not appear at all or the videos that do appear are not previewed.If you are experiencing one of these negativities, you are looking for a solution in the right place.

why is youtube lagging 2024
There are many complaints about Why is YouTube lagging 2024 (Image Credit)

Ad-blockers are one of the reasons that’s why is YouTube lagging 2024

In its mission to discourage the use of ad blockers, YouTube employs a two-pronged approach. First, a stern pop-up message confronts users, proclaiming, “Ad blockers violate YouTube’s Term of Service,” with the implicit suggestion to disable the ad-blocking shield. Users are then left with a binary choice: conform or abandon the video journey. Those who find temporary solutions to these problems ask themselves why is YouTube lagging 2024.

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The second, more aggressive tactic involves slowing down the entire YouTube experience for users wielding ad blockers. Dubbed as “suboptimal viewing,” this approach aims to nudge users towards reconsidering their ad-blocking allegiance. Reports from disgruntled users flooding Reddit reveal a sudden onset of lag and unresponsiveness on the platform. A do-it-yourself test affirms the claims – YouTube indeed appears ailing with an active ad blocker.

As users grapple with the frustration of a laggy YouTube experience, they face a dilemma. The prescribed solutions, disabling the ad blocker or embracing the premium subscription with a $10 monthly price tag, trigger their own controversies. Users find themselves caught between the horns of a dilemma, weighing the cost of uninterrupted viewing against enduring potentially lengthy, unskippable ads. To get rid of this dilemma, they use ad blockers, and this is an indirect answer to why is YouTube lagging 2024.

Let’s define the problems first: Why is YouTube slow 2024

Before we dive into the technical intricacies, let’s outline the symptoms users may be encountering. Videos running at a noticeably slower pace, delays in typing comments, and lags while attempting to click on videos from the homepage have become common grievances. This led us to ask ourselves this question: Why is YouTube lagging 2024? For a platform that prides itself on delivering content at the speed of thought, these issues are indeed an anomaly. The impact reaches beyond mere inconvenience, as users depend on YouTube for a myriad of purposes ranging from entertainment to education. Now, let’s unravel the layers of this technological puzzle and understand why YouTube is hitting a snag in 2024.

why is youtube lagging 2024
Why is YouTube lagging 2024 and How to fix it (Image Credit)

How to fix YouTube lagging

Why Is YouTube Lagging in 2024: You can fix it quickly. If you’ve found yourself frustrated with YouTube videos taking forever to load or buffering incessantly, fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we will unravel the mysteries behind YouTube lag and provide you with practical, easy-to-follow solutions.

Method 1: Change the URL

This method might sound like a digital voodoo spell, but it has proven effective for some Windows users. Here’s the magic trick:

  1. Open the YouTube video you want to watch.
  2. Replace the “www” in the URL with “ca.”

Method 2: Use a VPN

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can be the secret sauce to boost your internet speed. If you’re on a budget, free VPNs are available, but for added privacy, you have to choose a secure VPN.

Method 3: Choose a Lower Quality Setting

While Google is tirelessly working to reduce loading times, heavy traffic can still cause server errors. Take matters into your own hands:

  1. Open the YouTube video.
  2. Click the Settings gear icon at the bottom right.
  3. Navigate to Quality.
  4. Opt for a lower-quality setting until the issue is resolved.

Method 4: Clear Cache

Regularly cleaning your browser cache is like giving it a refreshing digital shower. Follow these steps for Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Press Ctrl+Shift+Del to open “Clear browsing data.”
  3. Select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
  4. Click CLEAR BROWSER DATA.

Method 5: Block Two IP Address Ranges

Sometimes, your video isn’t directly streamed from YouTube but via Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). ISPs may throttle the connection speed to these CDNs. Block the culprits with these steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Enter the following command:  ” netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name=”YouTubeTweak” dir=in action=block remoteip=173.194.55.0/24,206.111.0.0/16 enable=yes “
  3. Press Enter to add the rule.
  4. Close the Command Prompt.

Remember, if you want to undo the tweak, simply run Command Prompt as an administrator again and type:  netsh advfirewall firewall delete rule name=”YouTubeTweak”

By following these simple yet effective methods, you’ll be back to seamless YouTube streaming in no time and you will not have to ask yourself why is YouTube lagging 2024.

Featured Image: NordWood Themes/Unsplash

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