YouTube error · Occasional
YouTube cannot sign in — fix the authentication loop
You enter your Google credentials but YouTube refuses to sign you in — redirect loops, "something went wrong", "this account isn't supported on this device", or the sign-in completes but you end up signed out again on the next page.
Why this happens
- Cookies blocked at the browser level (third-party cookies for accounts.google.com required).
- Browser is configured to clear cookies on close — wipes the session you just established.
- Account is on a Google Workspace tenant that restricts YouTube access.
- Account requires 2FA but the 2FA prompt isn't being delivered (lost phone, etc.).
- Browser extension hijacking the OAuth redirect.
How to fix it
- 1
Allow third-party cookies for the sign-in flow
Chrome → Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies → "Allow all third-party cookies" temporarily. Google's OAuth requires cross-domain cookies between accounts.google.com and youtube.com.
- 2
Disable "Clear cookies on close"
If your browser is set to clear cookies on exit, every restart signs you out. Settings → Privacy → uncheck the on-close cookie clear.
- 3
Try a different browser
If Chrome has the issue and Firefox works, your Chrome profile has corrupted state. Switching browsers isolates the cause.
- 4
Sign in to Google first, then go to YouTube
Open accounts.google.com → sign in fully → only then visit youtube.com. The redirect loops sometimes happen when YouTube tries to initiate the sign-in flow itself.
- 5
Check if the account is Workspace-restricted
Some Google Workspace tenants disable YouTube for users. If you're signing in with a corporate account and it fails specifically (but personal accounts work), the admin has restricted access.
- 6
Use account recovery for lost 2FA
If 2FA codes aren't coming through, accounts.google.com/signin/recovery handles lost-device cases. Backup codes (if you saved any) bypass the live 2FA prompt.