YouTube has walked back its November 1 notice that the “Server Error 400” bug on Android was fixed. In a November 3 update on its official Help Community thread, Team YouTube confirmed some Android users still can’t load the app or videos.
A fix is still in progress, and as of November 3 YouTube hasn’t given a timeline. Both workarounds it suggests in the meantime will delete any videos you’ve downloaded for offline viewing.
Here is Team YouTube’s latest update on the thread:
We’re aware that some users are still seeing “Server Error 400” messages when accessing YouTube on Android. Our teams are continuing to work on a fix and we’ll let you know here as soon as we have updates!
What happened with the YouTube Server Error 400 fix
A Google employee on Team YouTube opened the thread on November 1 and marked the problem as a Known Issue. The same day, an update told users the issue was fixed and videos should load normally on Android.
By YouTube’s own November 3 update, that notice was premature. YouTube’s thread doesn’t say what causes the error, how many people it affects, or which app versions are involved.
The error isn’t universal. Android Authority says its staff tested YouTube on several Android phones without running into it. Users on Reddit, per Android Authority, report that clearing the cache or updating the app didn’t help.
YouTube’s two workarounds, and what they cost
Both steps YouTube recommends wipe your downloaded videos. If you rely on offline downloads, for a flight or a commute, waiting for the proper fix may be the better choice.
If you can’t wait, YouTube suggests one of these:
- Uninstall the YouTube app, then reinstall it from the Play Store.
- Clear the app’s storage in your phone’s settings. YouTube specifically says to pick Clear storage, not Clear cache.
On many Android phones YouTube comes preinstalled and can’t be fully removed. One commenter on the thread said the uninstall button doesn’t appear on their OnePlus 7.
On phones like that, the closest options sit under Settings > Apps > YouTube. There you’ll usually find Uninstall updates and, under Storage, Clear storage. Exact labels vary by phone maker. Uninstall updates isn’t one of YouTube’s suggestions, though Android Authority reports some users got access back by reinstalling the app’s updates.
YouTube says it will post on the same thread once it has news. We’ve also covered another YouTube for Android annoyance, the hidden scrubber in full-screen landscape.
Sources: YouTube Help Community, Android Authority
