YouTube error · Common

YouTube keeps signing me out — fix the persistent logout

You sign in to YouTube but get signed out repeatedly — within minutes, after closing the tab, on every browser restart. The session isn't persisting the way it should.

Why this happens

  • Browser cookie settings clearing youtube.com cookies on close.
  • Privacy extension auto-clearing cookies on a schedule.
  • Cookies blocked entirely for third-party / cross-site contexts.
  • Google account security event triggered an everywhere-logout.
  • Multiple Chrome profiles competing for the same session.

How to fix it

  1. 1

    Disable "Clear cookies on close" in browser settings

    Chrome → Settings → Privacy → Site Settings → Cookies → uncheck "Clear cookies on close" or remove youtube.com from the clear-on-close list.

  2. 2

    Disable Cookie AutoDelete-style extensions

    Privacy extensions like Cookie AutoDelete are good in principle but break sign-in for sites where you actually want persistent sessions. Whitelist youtube.com + accounts.google.com.

  3. 3

    Allow third-party cookies for the sign-in domains

    Settings → Privacy → "Block third-party cookies" → exception for accounts.google.com. The Google auth flow needs cross-domain cookies between accounts.google.com and youtube.com.

  4. 4

    Check Google account security activity

    myaccount.google.com → Security → "Recent security activity". An everywhere-logout often follows a security event you might have missed. Confirm or contest the events.

Frequently asked

Does Google sign me out automatically after a period?
No, Google sessions don't auto-expire on their own. If you're getting logged out, something else is clearing the cookies (browser, extension, or a triggered security event).

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