Playing a YouTube video only to have it start halfway through can be frustrating, especially when you want to watch it from the beginning. This issue can arise for various reasons, from ad blockers interfering to cached settings on your browser remembering previous play points. Many users encounter this glitch and wonder why their videos don’t start from the beginning automatically. In this guide, we’ll cover several solutions to get your YouTube videos to play smoothly from the start.
Below are a few solutions that can help fix this issue, from adjusting your browser’s cache to checking URL timestamps. Try out these steps to regain control over your video’s playback experience and enjoy YouTube videos without interruptions.
Table of Contents
- Disable Ad Blockers
- Pause YouTube Search History
- Disable Video Preview
- Check the Video URL
- Clear Browser Cache
- Try Another Web Browser
1. Disable Ad Blockers
One potential culprit is your ad blocker. Ad blockers often try to skip ads, which can cause the video to begin partway through. By disabling the ad blocker on YouTube, you may allow videos to start from the beginning.
To remove an ad blocker in Chrome:
- Click the extension icon, then select the menu next to the Ad Blocker.
- Click Remove from Chrome and confirm.
This should let YouTube videos start at the beginning without interference.
2. Pause YouTube Search History
YouTube remembers where you left off when you stop a video partway. If you’re often watching videos without finishing them, YouTube may start your video at your last watched point. You can avoid this by pausing your YouTube search history on both desktop and mobile.
3. Disable Video Preview
YouTube’s video preview feature can also cause videos to start from where the preview left off. To disable it:
- On Desktop: Go to Settings > Playback and Performance, then turn off Video previews.
- On Mobile: Tap Settings > General > Playback in feeds, and select Off.
This can help prevent previews from interfering with the start point of videos.
4. Check the Video URL
If a YouTube link has a time stamp, the video will start at that specific point. You can check for timestamps by looking for &t= in the URL, followed by a number. Remove the timestamp, and the video should play from the beginning.
Example URL with timestamp: (starts at 60 seconds).
5. Clear Browser Cache
Cached data can sometimes cause issues with YouTube videos. Clearing your browser’s cache will remove old data that might be causing the problem. Here’s how to clear cache:
- Chrome: Click on the menu icon > Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data.
Clearing your cache ensures that YouTube loads fresh data each time, which may fix the playback issue.
6. Try Another Web Browser
If the issue persists, it may be a compatibility problem with your current browser. Try switching to another browser known for speed and compatibility, such as Firefox or Safari, and check if the issue continues.
Start From the Beginning
With these solutions, you should be able to get YouTube videos to play from the start. Upgrading to YouTube Premium may also help, as it removes ads and includes background play. If playback issues continue, reinstalling your browser or using an alternative one may fully resolve the issue.
FAQs
Q1. Can I make YouTube always start videos from the beginning?
A1. Pausing watch history or using incognito mode can prevent YouTube from resuming videos from where you last stopped.
Q2. Why does YouTube keep showing the last play point?
A2. YouTube saves your last viewing position to help you continue from where you left off. Disabling watch history can stop this.
Q3. Does using an ad blocker affect YouTube playback?
A3. Yes, some ad blockers can interfere with playback, causing the video to skip or start at odd points.
Q4. Will clearing cache delete my saved YouTube settings?
A4. Clearing your browser cache won’t affect your YouTube account settings, but it may remove temporary data.
Q5. Does YouTube Premium prevent videos from starting halfway?
A5. YouTube Premium removes ads and improves video playback but doesn’t necessarily affect video start points.
Conclusion
YouTube videos not starting from the beginning can be caused by several factors, from ad blockers to video previews. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and enjoy uninterrupted video playback. Whether you need to disable an ad blocker, clear your browser cache, or tweak some YouTube settings, there are plenty of solutions available.
With these tips, you can ensure that YouTube videos start from the beginning every time, allowing for a smoother viewing experience.