You open a video, lock your screen or switch apps, and a minute later playback suddenly stops. It usually happens right after Low Power Mode turns on — and it feels random. In most cases, nothing is actually wrong with YouTube. The phone is simply limiting background activity to save battery, and video playback gets caught in that restriction.
The quick answer: Low Power Mode often pauses YouTube because the system reduces background processing, network activity, and app refresh permissions. When the phone decides YouTube is using too much power, playback is interrupted.
Why Low Power Mode affects YouTube playback
Low Power Mode changes several system behaviors at once. Some of them are subtle, but together they can interrupt streaming apps.
Common changes include:
- Background app activity is restricted
- Network usage may be throttled
- Automatic screen sleep happens faster
- Background audio permissions may be limited
- Battery optimization becomes more aggressive
If you’re listening with the screen off, using Picture-in-Picture, or switching between apps, the system may temporarily suspend YouTube to conserve energy. The app interprets this as a pause.
Fix 1: Disable Low Power Mode while watching
This sounds obvious, but it’s the most reliable fix.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Battery.
- Turn off Low Power Mode (or Battery Saver on Android).
If playback immediately becomes stable, you’ve confirmed the cause.
Fix 2: Remove YouTube from battery optimization
Many phones allow exceptions so certain apps keep running normally even when power saving is active.
On Android:
- Open Settings → Apps → YouTube.
- Tap Battery.
- Select Unrestricted or Not optimized.
On iPhone: iOS doesn’t offer per-app battery exemptions, but keeping Background App Refresh enabled helps.
- Go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh.
- Make sure it’s turned on for YouTube.
Fix 3: Check background playback permissions
If YouTube pauses only when the screen locks, the system may be suspending background media.
- Ensure YouTube background playback is enabled (YouTube Premium feature).
- Disable any third-party battery saver or device cleaner apps.
- On Android, allow unrestricted data usage if that option exists.
Extra battery managers installed by manufacturers are often stricter than the standard power saver and can silently stop streaming.
Fix 4: Prevent aggressive auto sleep
Low Power Mode shortens screen timeout. When the screen turns off too quickly, playback sometimes drops instead of continuing in audio mode.
- Open Display settings.
- Increase Screen timeout temporarily while watching.
One practical tip
If this happens mostly at low battery levels, plug in your charger before opening YouTube. Many phones automatically relax power restrictions while charging, even if Low Power Mode remains enabled.
Once YouTube is excluded from battery optimization — or Low Power Mode is turned off during playback — the random pauses usually stop immediately.