YouTube search not working on Apple TV after tvOS 26 update

Since updating our Apple TV to tvOS 26 YouTube is not working correctly. When using the search function the screen goes black - no interface, no videos. This happens immediately after entering some search text. The only way out is to hold down the menu button and exit back to the home screen. This problem is repeatable.

I have tried removing YouTube, doing a restart and reinstalling, but the results are the same.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: tvOS 26 and YouTube problems

Posted on Sep 21, 2025 3:10 PM

Top-ranking reply

brandonpeter Author

Level 1

93 points

Posted on Oct 4, 2025 9:45 AM

After updating to tvOS 26.0.1 the problem persists. Once again I deleted the YouTube app, restarted the Apple TV and reinstalled the app. Same results - everything works fine until using search.

Just out of curiosity I tried signing in to YouTube as Guest, rather than my usual credentials - and search now works as it should. When I sign back in with my YouTube/Google account search is broken. We tried my wife’s credentials and got the same results.

So, the problem is narrowed down a bit. Either both of our YouTube/Google accounts are the problem or...

View in context

25 replies

pvig73

Level 1

18 points

Sep 24, 2025 11:41 AM in response to brandonpeter

I have the same issue. When using the search function, I would see the thumbnails of whatever videos I am looking for and once I select a video, the screen goes black (with a dark grey letterbox where the font is). I can't even go back a step. I have to close the app and then reopen it.

I've signed out of YouTube and signed back in, then I uninstalled it which required me to sign back in and it didn't resolve the problem.

Sep 25, 2025 11:54 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Yes. Definitely signed-in. Perhaps the question to you is: what model of Apple TV are you using and what version of the YouTube app?

I'm seeing the issue with these variables:

TVos26.

Apple TV model A1625

YouTube App v 4.51.08

brandonpeter Author

Level 1

93 points

Sep 26, 2025 11:46 AM in response to TheWhiteRider

TvOS 26.0

Apple TV model A1625

YouTube version: 4.51.08

and I am signed in with the same account I always use. I tried deleting the app and reinstalling (same version of Youtube) with the same results.

Peer3

Level 1

11 points

Oct 4, 2025 2:19 PM in response to brandonpeter

Hi. For me, the problem vanished without any intervention on my part. Search on TVOS 26.0.1 now works normally on both the regular Apple TV and the 4K one. I assumed that either Apple or Google had fixed the search issue, but you say that you’re still experiencing the shame search issue.

Oct 9, 2025 6:58 PM in response to brandonpeter

I am having this issue since updating to tvOS 26. Which is beyond frustrating because YouTube is easily the most used app on my Apple TV and this glitch essentially makes the app useless. And everywhere I’ve looked neither Apple or YouTube seem to have any solution for it yet alone acknowledge it.