Live Chat is missing or won’t load
Can’t see the chat at all? Here is how to bring it back on a computer or phone.
2 min read
On a computer
- Look for a “Show chat” button under or beside the video and click it.
- Exit theater or fullscreen mode, which can hide the chat panel.
- Refresh the page. If that doesn’t help, try a private window to rule out browser extensions.
On a phone or tablet
- Rotate to portrait mode and tap the chat area under the video.
- Update the YouTube app to the latest version.
- Close the app fully and open the stream again.
Is the stream over?
Live Chat only runs while the stream is live. On a replay, you may see a “Chat replay” instead, which you can read but not post in.
Elf tip: Some smart TV apps don’t show Live Chat. Use a phone, tablet, or computer alongside the TV to join in.