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Youtube video distorted with pixels: How to Fix

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the YouTube video distorted issue with pixels appearing on the screen. When it comes to video streaming services, then the offering from the Silicon Valley giant is without a shadow of a doubt the best in this domain. However, inspite of all the goodies that it beholds, it occasionally hits a few roadblocks as well.

In this regard, numerous users have voiced their concern that YouTube videos are being shown as distorted along with a few pixels on the screen. The issue is just with YouTube, all the other streaming services like Hulu+, Prime, etc are working along the expected lines, so this at least cements the fact that it is an app-related issue rather than network related. With that said, there does exist a few nifty workarounds that should help you rectify this bug. So without further ado, let’s check them out.

Fix Youtube video distorted with pixels

Youtube video distorted with pixels

It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success. So with that in mind, let’s get started.

FIX 1: Tweak Display Settings

Your first course of action should be to tweak a few display-related settings as shown below and then check out the results:

  1.  Head over to Settings > Display and toggle Adaptive Brightness.
  2. Likewise, do the same with Night Light and LiveDisplay [if present].
  3. Now go to High Brightness Mode and tweak HBM and Automatic HBM settings.Youtube video distorted with pixels
  4. Then go to Colors and switch between Natural, Boosted, and Adaptive.
  5. Check if any of these tweaks fix the YouTube video distorted issue with pixels.

FIX 2: Force Highest Refresh Rate

If you have set the refresh rate to adaptive wherein the OS automatically tends to assign the best refresh rate for each app, then you should temporarily disable this setting and instead set the highest rate, at least on YouTube. Here’s how it could be done [do note that doing so might result in additional battery drainage]

  1. Head over to Settings > Display > Peak Refresh Rate > set it to 120Hz.
  2. Then go to Minimum Refresh Rate and set it to 120hz as well.
  3. Check if it fixes the YouTube video distorted issue with pixels.Youtube video distorted with pixels

FIX 3: Delete Data

The issue might also appear if the app data gets corrupted. Therefore, you should consider deleting the app data and let the app repopulate a fresh instance of the same from scratch. Here’s how it could be done:

  1. Head over to Settings > Apps > All Apps > YouTube.
  2. Then go to Storage and Cache and tap on Delete Data.Youtube video distorted with pixels
  3. Again tap Delete in the confirmation prompt that appears.
  4. Now launch YouTube and check if it fixes the video distorted issue with pixels.

FIX 4: Downgrade YouTube

In some cases, the developer might roll out a buggy update which might result in quite a few issues, including the one that we are currently dealing with. So in such cases, your best bet is to downgrade the app to its earlier stable version. To do so, please refer to our guide on How to Downgrade a System App on Android.

Youtube video distorted with pixels

FIX 5: Switch to YouTube Vanced

If none of the aforementioned tweaks worked in your favor, then your last course of action should be to try out one of the unofficial YouYube apps, which makes use of the official YouTube API and gives you a few additional goodies. In this regard, you could give a shot at apps like YouTube Vanced or Revanced.

 

That’s it. These were the various methods that should help you fix the YouTube video distorted issue with pixels appearing on the screen. As far as the official stance on this matter is concerned, the developers are yet to acknowledge this issue, let alone give out any ETA for the rollout of a fix. As and when any of these two things happen, we will update this guide accordingly. In the meantime, the aforementioned workarounds are your best bet.


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