If the YouTube app is missing from your Chromebook, don’t panic. We’ve seen this issue pop up from time to time, and there are a few different reasons why it might happen. The good news? It’s usually an easy fix, and a quick one too.
Here’s how to get YouTube back on your Chromebook in no time. If you just opened your Chromebook and noticed that the YouTube app is nowhere to be found, don’t worry! You’re not alone, and thankfully, the solution is super simple.
Fix YouTube App Missing on Chromebook
On a Chromebook, you’ll usually find a YouTube shortcut on the shelf and the YouTube app in the app drawer. Both options let you access YouTube through the Chrome browser.
However, there are times when the shortcut or app might disappear. This can happen due to a bug or changes in the software, especially with newer versions of ChromeOS, which now include a native YouTube app.
If the YouTube app is missing from your Chromebook, don’t worry. Just follow these simple troubleshooting steps to bring it back.
1. Restart Your Chromebook
This may sound basic, but it often solves the issue. Simply restarting your Chromebook can resolve minor issues and glitches, including the YouTube app disappearing.
Here’s how you can restart your Chromebook:
1. Click on the clock/Wi-Fi/battery area in the bottom-right.
2. Click the power icon and then choose Restart.
Once your Chromebook reboots, check the App Launcher again to see if YouTube is back. If it’s still missing, continue to next methods.
2. Check for ChromeOS Updates
Sometimes the issue is simply due to an outdated version of ChromeOS. Google regularly releases updates that fix bugs, improve performance, and occasionally restore missing apps like YouTube.
Here’s how to check for updates:
1. Click on App Launcher and open Settings.
2. Scroll down and click About ChromeOS.
3. Click Check for Updates.
4. If an update is available, install it and restart your Chromebook.
3. Reinstall YouTube
Once your Chromebook is updated, check the app drawer again. Still no YouTube? That likely means the YouTube app has been completely removed from your device. In that case, you’ll need to reinstall it using the App Mall. Here’s how:
1. Click the App Launcher icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Search for Apps & Games and open it.
3. In the search bar, type YouTube and hit Enter key. From the search results, select the YouTube app.
4. Click Install from Web.
5. A pop-up window will appear, click Install and wait for the installation to complete.
Once the installation is complete, open the App Launcher, and you should see the YouTube app listed. To make it even easier to access, simply right-click the YouTube icon and select Pin to Shelf.
You can also rearrange its position by dragging and dropping the icon along the shelf. After that, just click the icon anytime you want to launch YouTube. However, if you are facing issues like YouTube not working, you can simply follow our detailed guide to fix it.
