YouTube Playback Speed Not Working?

YouTube Playback Speed Not Working? Here’s the Latest and How to Fix It (August 2025)

Are you frustrated that you can’t speed up or slow down YouTube videos right now? You’re definitely not alone. In early August 2025, a large number of Android users—across both phones and tablets—faced an annoying bug: the playback speed control either wouldn’t respond or instantly reset videos back to “Normal” (1x) speed. Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can resolve it.hindustantimes+3

What’s the Current YouTube Playback Speed Issue?

• Most Affected Users: Android users (phones and tablets) using the official YouTube app.

• The Problem: You try to change playback speed—maybe to 1.5x, 2x, or even slow it down—but it either ignores your choice or resets the video to normal speed after a second or two.

• Where It Works Fine: YouTube website (in browsers on PC/Mac), YouTube app on iOS (iPhone/iPad), and YouTube Music app are not affected.androidauthority+2

• When Did It Start? The bug emerged in the first week of August 2025 and quickly went viral across tech communities and user forums.

Has YouTube Responded or Fixed It?

• Official Statement: Google acknowledged the bug, confirming it was being investigated as of August 6, 2025.9to5google+3

• Current Status: As of August 7, 2025, the issue has been marked as fixed for most users. If you’re still facing the problem, you likely need to manually refresh or force stop your YouTube app and relaunch it.google+3

• For some, it may be necessary to check for an update in the Play Store and install the latest version of the YouTube app.

Reliable Ways to Fix the Problem

If your playback speed control is still not working, try these steps:

1. Force Stop and Restart the App

• Go to your Android device’s Settings > Apps > YouTube > Force Stop.

• Relaunch the YouTube app and try adjusting the playback speed.9to5google+1

2. Update the YouTube App

• Open the Google Play Store.

• Search for YouTube and update to the most recent version.youtubegoogle

3. Clear App Cache (Android Only)

• Go to Settings > Apps > YouTube > Storage > Clear Cache.

• Open the app and check if the issue is solved.youtubedownload.minitoolyoutube

4. Use the Browser as a Temporary Workaround

• Go to youtube.com in your Chrome or other browser.

• Playback speed changes should work as normal here.reddit+2

5. Tap and Hold for 2x Speed (Android App)

• Some users report that pressing and holding anywhere on the video while it plays will temporarily speed it up to 2x, though this is a stopgap rather than a real fix.reddit+1

What If Nothing Works?

If you’ve tried all of the above and playback speed is still stuck:

• Wait a day or two. These issues are being rapidly fixed on YouTube’s server side.freejobalert+2

• Report the issue through the app (Profile icon > Help & Feedback).

• As a last resort, consider watching in a browser or on another device until the fix rolls out to you.

Key Takeaways

• The playback speed issue primarily affected Android users in early August 2025.

• YouTube acknowledged, investigated, and has now rolled out a fix.

• Solutions include: force stopping and restarting the app, updating YouTube, clearing cache, and using the web version.

• For most, things should be back to normal—if not, try the quick fixes above.