Fix: “An error occurred” While Playing on YouTube Music

A generic “An error occurred” message in YouTube Music typically appears when the app fails to connect to a server endpoint or cannot access the required playback resource. The error can occur on any device and at any time, even when other apps seem to be working normally.

This message indicates that YouTube Music failed to process the playback request, usually due to a playback or server-related issue that interrupts media delivery. In most cases, the problem is caused by a faulty backend update pushed to the app. Other possible causes include:

• Corrupted or outdated cache files interfering with playback requests.
• Temporary server outages or degraded back-end performance.
• Network timeouts or unstable mobile/Wi-Fi connections.

Below are the most effective solutions to resolve this issue.

1. Switch Internet

An unstable or weak internet connection can prevent YouTube Music from streaming properly or verifying downloaded tracks. Switching to a different network helps establish a stable connection, which often resolves the playback error.

• Switch between mobile data or connect to another Wi-Fi network.

2. Uninstall Update

A recent app update may sometimes introduce bugs or glitches that disrupt playback. Rolling back to the previous version removes the problematic update and often restores normal functionality.

1. Hold the YouTube Music app icon and tap the info icon.
2. Tap the three-dot menu at the top right and select Uninstall updates.
3. Reopen the app and check if the error is gone.

3. Clear Cache

Outdated or corrupted cache data can cause random playback errors or stop the music from loading properly. Clearing the cache gives the app a fresh start without affecting your account or downloads.

1. Hold the YouTube Music app icon and tap the info icon.
2. Go to Storage & cache.
3. Select Clear cache.
4. Restart the app and try playing a song again.

4. Re-Download Songs

If the error appears while playing offline tracks, the downloaded files may be corrupted. Removing and re-downloading them refreshes the data and resolves most playback failures.

1. Open the YouTube Music app.
2. Go to your downloaded songs or playlists.
3. Delete the tracks showing the error.
4. Download them again and test playback.

5. Reinstall the App

If none of the above methods work, some internal files of the app may be damaged or missing. Reinstalling the app replaces all corrupted components with fresh copies and typically fixes the issue.

1. Hold the YouTube Music app icon and tap the info icon.
2. Tap Uninstall.
3. Download the latest version of YouTube Music from the Play Store or App Store and sign in again.