YouTube web login bug locks users out, apps still work

Browser sign-ins fail with a ‘tubes clogged’ error while mobile and TV apps work, and Google is silent

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Published October 02, 2026
YouTube web login bug locks users out, apps still work

Your Google account works. Gmail opens, the dashboard loads, and even Takeout can see your YouTube data. Then you open YouTube in a browser and hit an error page. That's what a small group of users has reportedly faced for about two weeks.

Affected accounts fail to sign in to YouTube on the web, while other Google services run normally. One Reddit user said clearing cookies, switching browsers and using Incognito mode changed nothing. A password reset didn't help, and neither did trying another computer.

The same accounts still worked in YouTube's mobile app.

A YouTube community report describes the same pattern. Browser sign-in kept ending in the "Our tubes must be clogged" error. A Diamond Product Expert linked it to an older thread tracking what looks like the same problem.

New complaints keep arriving. An Edge user said Gmail and other Google services were fine, but YouTube redirected them to an error page. Other accounts reportedly worked, which points to specific accounts rather than a particular browser.

YouTube recently fixed a separate login bug that locked some viewers out on TVs and gaming consoles. This is a different problem, affecting browsers, and it appears to hit far fewer people.

Pareesa Afreen
Pareesa Afreen is a reporter and sub editor specialising in technology coverage, with 3 years of experience. She reports on digital innovation, gadgets, and emerging tech trends while ensuring clarity and accuracy through her editorial role, delivering accessible and engaging stories for a fast-evolving digital audience.
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