Your YouTube videos are low-res? Blame Google, not your internet

Recently, YouTube users have been confronted with a new issue whereby their videos automatically open in low resolutions, like 144p or 360p, even on good internet speeds. The problem has been experienced on various devices, including desktops, smart TVs, and iOS devices.

In a support document, Google acknowledged the issue and is now working on a fix, but no timeline was specified.

Here’s what you might be seeing:

• YouTube streaming at 144p or 360p despite strong internet connection
• Buffering when changing to higher quality
• Video quality could be impacted on IOS mobile, desktop, or Smart TV

Rest assured, we’re actively looking into this!

It’s not you, it’s YouTube

Users have complained that attempting to switch manually to higher resolutions results in continuous buffering, which makes the viewing experience annoying. This issue appears widespread, with numerous complaints surfacing on platforms like Reddit.

In response, YouTube has acknowledged the problem and is in the process of determining its cause. The website has assured users it is looking for a solution and will provide an update as and when further information is available.

In the meantime, while YouTube figures out the solution to the issue, you may consider adjusting the video quality settings or checking for YouTube app updates as temporary workarounds.