How to Fix “Sorry, Cannot Open This Link” Error on YouTube
The “Sorry, cannot open this link” message on YouTube appears when the app fails to handle an external link correctly. Instead of opening the target video or playlist, the app rejects the request and shows this error. This usually happens when link-handling permissions are misconfigured, another app has taken over URL handling, or the YouTube app cache is corrupted.
In most cases, this problem isn’t with the video itself but with how the device processes the link. It can be caused by changed default app settings, disabled “Open supported links” permissions, outdated app builds, or broken URL associations.
This guide explains why this error appears and walks you through fixes to restore normal link opening behavior in the YouTube app.
1. Enable Open Supported Links
If the Open Supported Links setting is turned off, the device prevents YouTube from handling its own links. Re-enabling this option re-registers YouTube as the default handler, ensuring all supported URLs open directly in the app instead of failing or opening in a browser.
- Press and hold the YouTube app icon and tap App info.
- Tap Open by default.
- Select In the app to make sure links open directly in YouTube.
- Try opening the link again.
2. Uninstall Update
A faulty or unstable update can break the app’s ability to handle links correctly. Uninstalling the update reverts YouTube to its stable factory version, removing any recent bugs, glitches, or broken link-handling introduced by the new version. This often restores proper app-link behavior and ensures links open reliably.
- Press and hold the YouTube app icon and tap App info.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top right and select Uninstall updates.
