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New glitch crops up for YouTube TV customers on Roku players

New glitch crops up for YouTube TV customers on Roku players

YouTube TV subscribers have discovered a problem when trying to fast-forward their recorded content on Roku players.

Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
Many YouTube TV customers are frustrated by a bug that has cropped up when they try to fast-forward recorded content.

Roku streaming players are nearly ubiquitous in the United States, so when a streaming service misaligns with Roku players causing technical difficulties, it means there are lots of affected viewers. That’s the problem YouTube TV customers are currently working through; as reported by 9to5 Google, YouTube TV viewers are having serious issues when trying to watch recorded content on Roku streaming players.

Key Details:

  • Fast-forwarding YouTube TV-recorded titles on Roku devices causes the playback to freeze.
  • Viewers are being forced to completely exit and close the YouTube TV app, then restart playback.
  • YouTube TV is aware of the problem and a fix is expected to be in the works .

The problem for YouTube TV customers using Roku streaming devices crops up when they try to fast-forward a recorded TV show or movie. This causes the content to simply freeze up, leaving viewers stuck with very little recourse. So far, the issue appears restricted to viewers on Roku players.

There are limited fixes available for the issue. Exiting the YouTube TV app and returning later seems to fix the problem, but only if viewers restart the show or movie they were watching from the beginning. A user on Reddit says they have identified another fix: viewers can “step” forward instead of fast-forward, but only a few times or the freezing problem will crop up again.

Others in the same thread say that changing the picture quality of the recorded title will force playback to resume. Neither of these workarounds resembles a permanent solution, however, and Google will have to roll out a bug fix fairly soon. Nearly half of all American homes own a Roku device, which means there are potentially millions of YouTube TV customers who can’t fast-forward while watching a recorded title.

YouTube TV officials have acknowledged the problem, so a fix for this bug will likely be on the way soon. Nevertheless, it’s a highly inconvenient issue to have, especially for a streamer that offers unlimited Cloud DVR as YouTube TV does.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.

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Sports are a major focus for YouTube TV, with access to national and regional coverage, league networks, and marquee events. The service also serves as the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, available as an add-on, giving fans access to out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. YouTube TV also offers a smaller sports plan, allowing subscribers access to 30+ sports-oriented channels, including local networks in select markets.

YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost, allowing subscribers to record as many shows as they want and keep recordings for up to nine months. The service is available across a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming players, mobile devices, and web browsers. New subscribers can typically start with a free trial, though the trial length may vary by promotion.

With its broad channel lineup, strong sports offerings, unlimited DVR, and wide device support, YouTube TV remains one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services for viewers who want a traditional TV experience without a cable contract.

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New customers can save $15 per month for 5 months.


David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.

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