6 Solutions to Fix YouTube Videos Not Starting from the Beginning

ByJim Miller

Have you ever experienced the frustration of playing a YouTube video only to have it start from the middle instead of the beginning? You're not alone. Many users have encountered this issue, but fortunately, there are several solutions available. In this article, we will explore six fixes that will help you get your YouTube videos to start playing from the start.

1. Disable Ad Blockers

One possible reason why YouTube videos don't play from the beginning is the presence of ad blockers. These extensions can sometimes skip a portion of the video while trying to skip the ad that plays before it. To resolve this issue, you can try disabling the ad blocker specifically for YouTube. If you're unsure how to do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the ad blocker extension icon.
  2. Click on the kebab menu next to the ad blocker extension.
  3. Select “Remove from Chrome.”

Now, try playing the video again on YouTube, and it should start playing from the beginning.

2. Pause YouTube Search History

YouTube has a feature that remembers where you left off while watching a video. This feature allows you to close the video and resume watching it later. However, this can cause YouTube videos to not start from the beginning. To fix this issue, you can pause your YouTube search history. This can be done on both your web browser and mobile device.

3. Disable Video Preview

YouTube provides a video preview feature that allows you to get a sneak peek of a video without actually opening it. However, when you open the video, it doesn't start playing from the beginning. Instead, it resumes from where you left off during the preview. Fortunately, you can disable this feature in the settings.

To disable video preview on desktop:

  1. Scroll down on the YouTube homepage and click on “Settings.”
  2. Select “Playback and performance” and disable the toggle next to “Video previews.”

To disable video preview on mobile:

  1. Tap on your profile and go to settings.
  2. Select “Playback in feeds” and choose “Off.”

4. Check the Video URL

If you receive a YouTube video link that doesn't start playing from the beginning, it's possible that a time stamp has been added to the link. This means that the video will start playing at a specific time. To check if a link has a time stamp, look for “&t=” followed by a number in the URL. If you see this, the video will begin playing after that specified time.

5. Clear Browser Cache

If none of the previous methods have resolved the issue, clearing your browser cache may help. Clearing the cache eliminates corrupted or outdated data that could disrupt the functioning of websites. You can find a comprehensive guide on how to clear cache for all platforms.

6. Try Another Web Browser

If you've tried all the fixes mentioned above and the problem persists, it could be due to compatibility issues between your current web browser and YouTube. Trying an alternative web browser might resolve the issue. There are several top web browsers known for their speed, security, privacy, and features that you can explore.

By following these solutions, you should be able to resolve the issue of YouTube videos not starting from the beginning. Now you can enjoy uninterrupted playback and have a great time watching your favorite videos on YouTube.