Are you getting the “An error occurred. Please try again later. Playback ID” when you clicked on a video? Well, this issue is a common one that many users face. Often this problem can arise with all videos, and it can also happen in certain videos.

You might think that the problem is due to a certain Windows version or browser, but that is not the case. Users of Windows 7 to 10 have reported facing this error, and it occurs on most 3rd party browsers, including Firefox, Chrome, and Opera.

It is important to note that each video has a different Playback ID.

So, what has the “An error occurred? Please try again later. Playback ID error? What causes it? In addition, how can you fix the issue? In this article, we try to give you answers to these questions including multiple ways of resolving the problem.

What causes the ‘YouTube an Error Occurred Playback ID’ error?

Unfortunately, there is not a straightforward, single answer to why the ‘YouTube an Error Occurred Playback ID’ issue occurs. By examining various user reports, we were able to identify multiple causes for this error; we also looked at the repair strategies (but more on that later.)

Let us discuss the roots of the issue:

• Corrupted browser files – If some of your browser files are missing or corrupted, that might trigger the ‘YouTube an Error Occurred Playback ID’ error. This can happen for a couple of reasons – poorly cached data or the aftermath of a browser hijacking, either way, you need to reinstall the browser to fix the issue.
• Modifications to the network connection – Dynamic IP configurations can lead to the YouTube error. An easy and quick fix is to restart your modem or router and allow the system to refresh the network configurations to refresh.
• Bad DNS data cache– you might be facing the error because of data held by your DNS Resolver Cache interfering with the outgoing connections. To resolve this issue, try clearing the DNS cache.
• Problems with the automatic DNS – In some cases, the error is triggered by your ISP’s automatic DNS. Alternatively, use Google’s Public DNS to solve the issue.

After knowing the reasons behind the “An error occurred. Please try again later. Playback ID” problem, you will be able to adopt the right repair. Below we will discuss some troubleshooting methods that are known to work. Others to fix the same error have successfully used these methods. 

We suggest that you follow the methods provided below systematically for the best results.

Method 1 – Reinstalling your browser

If your 3rd party browser is causing the “An error occurred. Please try again later. Playback ID” error, then reinstalling it will be the easiest and the quickest solution. Alternatively, you could switch over to a different browser, but why use the software when you can repair the issue in a few simple steps, which we have listed below.

Another way of resolving the error is to wipe the cache or create a new user profile, but these methods are specific to each browser. Reinstalling a browser will remove any corrupted cached data and locally saved user preferences. This method has worked successfully for many users. 

Follow these steps to fix the YouTube error playback id:

• Open a Run dialogue box by pressing the Windows key and R key. Type in “appwiz.cpl” press Enter to go to the Programs and Features window.

• Find your browser in the list in the Programs and features by scrolling down. Press right-click on the software name and select Uninstall from the drop-down menu.
• Follow the steps prompted by the system to successfully uninstall the browser from the computer. Remember to remove the cached data and the user preferences if asked.
• Restart your computer after the browser has been uninstalled.
• Use the Windows’ built-in browser to go to the 3rd party browser’s webpage and download the appropriate version of the software for your system. Run the installation executable and install the software as directed by the system.
• After successfully installing the browser, open it and visit YouTube to check if the problem has been fixed.
• If the error is still occurring, try the next method given below.

Method 2 – Restart router/modem

If modifications to the network connection have been made, it can lead to the YouTube playback error, which, according to many users, can be fixed by simply forcing the modem or router to restart. After restarting, the device will reestablish the connection according to the modified settings, which will solve the issue.   

Check your modem or router for the power button, which you can press once to turn the device off, then wait a few seconds, and then press the button again to turn on the router. Alternatively, you can detach the power cord and reattach it after a few seconds to force the device to restart.

 Just make sure that you don’t press the reset button by mistake because it can reset the password, ports, and preference. After restarting the router, wait for the connection to establish and then visit YouTube to ensure that the problem is fixed; if not, try the next method.

Method 3 – Flush the DNS Cache

If the problem is still occurring due to your browser, then the next course of action will be to flush the Domain Name Servers or DNS cache. The method has successfully worked for many affected users. If you are getting the “An error occurred. Please try again later. Playback ID” error on multiple browsers, that is a telltale sign that you need to flush your DNS.

Unfortunately, this is a temporary, quick-fix solution because, according to users, its effects last only for a few hours. Following is the method for flushing your DNS cache:

• Open the dialogue box by pressing the Windows key and R key, type “cmd” in the box, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter, which will open a Command Prompt. Click yes for administrative privileges.
• Type “ipconfig/flushdns” in the elevated Command Prompt, and press Enter. This will remove all data kept in the DNS cache.
• After the DNS cache is cleared, check by playing a YouTube video where you saw the error.

If the issue persists, try the next method.

Solution 4 – Change your Current DNS to Google’s Public DNS

Usually, your Internet Server Provider will set you Domain Name Server (DNS) automatically with the help of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). In many cases, changing the DNS switchboard from the auto-generated DNS to Google’s Public DNS resolves the error permanently. 

To change the default DNS, you would have to change the DNS settings in your OS to access the Google Public IP addresses. The procedure varies depending on your Windows version; however, the below-mentioned method works for every Windows version. Follow the steps below to resolve “YouTube an error occurred”:

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R. Type the “ncpa.cpl” command and press Enter to open the “Network Connections” window.
2. Now select the “Google Public DNS” connection to configure it. For a wireless network, right-click on WiFi and open “Properties.” For Ethernet (cabled) connection, right-click on Ethernet (Local Area Connection).
3. Find and select the Networking tab inside the WiFi/Ethernet Properties screen. Go to settings and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and open Properties.
4. Find and select the General tab inside the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties tab. Next, replace the Preferred and Alternative DNS server with the values mentioned below:

8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4

5. After saving the changes, repeat the same 3rd and 4th step with Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6). Replace the Preferred and Alternative DNS server with the values mentioned below:

2001:4860:4860::8888

2001:4860:4860::8844

6. Now restart your network connection, reopen the browser, and load a YouTube video that was showing an error previously. Confirm whether the issue is resolved. 

Solution 5 – Switching the Google Accounts

It is not always the browser or the computer that causes the YouTube playback error; the Google Account that is being used to sign in to Chrome sometimes triggers it. Follow the steps below to switch the Google Account in an attempt to fix the playback ID error:

1. Launch your Google Chrome Browser. Find the Account tile on the right top corner and click it.
2. From the drop-down menu, select the “Add Another Account” option. Select from the list of the existing accounts or click on the “Use another account.” Enter your email ID and password to login in.
3. Once you have successfully logged in, open YouTube with the same account and check if the error persists.
4. In case the issue persists, Disable autoplay for some time, and enable it back after a while to fix the YouTube playback error.

Method 6 – Running A System Restore

Some users were able to fix the playback ID error on YouTube by using a System Restore wizard to revert your computer to a point where all functions were working without any issues. Follow the steps below to run system restore:

1. Open the dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R. Type “rstrui” command and click Enter to open the System Restore wizard.

1. Once the System Restore wizard opens, press next. 
2. Select the System restore point that is dated before your started having the playback ID error. Press the Next option to proceed.
3. Remember that all of your system changes and data will be lost from the selected date till date. 
4. Press Finish and Yes to confirm the System to run the restoration process. 
5. Once the process is complete, your computer will auto restart. Check whether the YouTube Playback issue is resolved. 

Solution 7 – Using Incognito Mode

In some situations, fixing the YouTube playback error is as simple as using your browser in Incognito or private browsing mode. The Incognito Mode disables the tracking features of the browser and prevents it from storing browsing history.

Solution 8 – Add YouTube in Your Adblock’s Whitelist

If your AdBlock prevents ads from loading on YouTube, then that can be a cause of triggering “YouTube an error occurred playback id.” To prevent this issue, we recommend you to add YouTube in your AdBlock whitelist.

How To Fix YouTube An Error Occurred Playback ID Error Issue – Video Guide

Final Words

We have shared the top 8 tried and tested methods of fixing “An Error Occurred ‘try again’ Playback ID on YouTube.” We hope that one of these methods or a combination will help you fix this issue permanently. If the issue persists, then it can only be fixed from Google’s end. 

You can also try using a repair tool to scan and detect the corrupt and missing files and help you fix the issue. A reliable repair tool works in most cases; it also helps you optimize your System’s performance.

Have you tried any of these methods? Please share the method that helped you fix the YouTube playback error.

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