Fix YouTube TV Showing Small Screen: Easy Solutions

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YouTube TV Showing Small Screen? Easy Solutions to Fix It!

Hey guys! Having trouble with YouTube TV showing a small screen? It's super annoying, I know! But don't worry, I'm here to help you troubleshoot and get your viewing experience back to normal. Let's dive into some easy solutions to fix this issue.

Why is YouTube TV Showing a Small Screen?

Before we jump into the fixes, it's good to understand why this problem might be happening. There are a few common reasons:

  • Incorrect display settings: Your device's display settings might not be configured correctly for YouTube TV.
  • App glitches: Sometimes, the YouTube TV app itself can have glitches that cause display issues.
  • Outdated app version: Using an older version of the app can lead to compatibility problems.
  • Device issues: Your streaming device (like Roku, Fire Stick, or smart TV) might be the culprit.
  • Internet connectivity: A poor internet connection can sometimes affect the display.

Understanding these potential causes will help you pinpoint the right solution.

Solution 1: Adjusting Display Settings

One of the first things you should check is your device's display settings. Incorrect display settings are a very common reason for YouTube TV showing a small screen. Here’s how to adjust them on different devices:

For Smart TVs:

  1. Access the Settings Menu: Use your TV remote to open the main settings menu. The button might be labeled "Settings," "Menu," or have a gear icon. The location of the settings can differ among brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, and Vizio, but it is normally easily located.
  2. Navigate to Picture Settings: Look for a section related to picture settings. This might be under "Picture," "Display," or "Screen." TVs usually have a variety of settings that can be changed to improve the viewing experience.
  3. Adjust the Aspect Ratio or Zoom: Find the aspect ratio or zoom settings. Common options include "16:9," "Wide," "Zoom," and "Auto." The goal here is to make sure the picture fills the entire screen without any black bars or distortion. It is a common issue to have the incorrect aspect ratio set.
  4. Overscan Settings: Look for an overscan setting. Overscan can sometimes cause the image to be cropped or displayed incorrectly. Turn off overscan if it’s enabled.
  5. Save Changes: Once you’ve made the necessary adjustments, save the changes and exit the settings menu. Open YouTube TV to see if the issue is resolved. You might want to restart your TV after saving for the changes to be properly implemented.

For Streaming Devices (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV):

  1. Access the Settings Menu: Go to the home screen and find the settings menu. On Roku, it’s usually labeled "Settings." On Fire Stick, it’s "Settings" or "Preferences." On Apple TV, it’s the "Settings" app.
  2. Navigate to Display Settings: Look for display settings. On Roku, this is under "Display type." On Fire Stick, it’s under "Display & Sounds." On Apple TV, it’s under "Video and Audio."
  3. Adjust Resolution: Make sure the resolution is set to the optimal setting for your TV (usually 1080p or 4K). If it’s set too low, it can cause the image to appear small.
  4. Screen Size or Aspect Ratio: Some devices have settings to adjust the screen size or aspect ratio. Make sure these are set correctly to fill the screen.
  5. Save Changes: Save any changes you make and restart your streaming device. Open YouTube TV to see if the problem is fixed.

By tweaking these settings, you can often resolve the small screen issue and enjoy YouTube TV on your full display. If the problem persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution 2: Restarting the YouTube TV App

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most effective. Restarting the YouTube TV app can often clear up minor glitches that might be causing the small screen issue. Here’s how to do it:

On Smart TVs:

  1. Exit the App: Use your remote to completely close the YouTube TV app. Make sure it’s not just minimized but fully closed.
  2. Force Stop (if possible): Some smart TVs allow you to force stop apps. Go to your TV’s settings, find the apps section, locate YouTube TV, and select "Force Stop" if the option is available. Forcing stop guarantees that any cached data will be cleared and the app will restart fresh.
  3. Wait a Few Seconds: Wait for about 10-15 seconds to ensure the app is completely closed.
  4. Reopen the App: Relaunch the YouTube TV app from your TV’s home screen.

On Streaming Devices (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV):

  1. Exit the App: Use your remote to close the YouTube TV app.
  2. Return to Home Screen: Go back to the home screen of your streaming device.
  3. Close the App (if possible):
    • Roku: Press the home button, highlight the YouTube TV app, press the * Options button, and select "Remove channel." Then, re-add the channel from the Roku Channel Store.
    • Fire Stick: Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, find YouTube TV, and select "Force stop."
    • Apple TV: Double-press the TV button on the remote, swipe up on the YouTube TV app to close it.
  4. Wait a Few Seconds: Give it a moment to fully close.
  5. Reopen the App: Launch the YouTube TV app again.

Restarting the app clears any temporary data or glitches that might be affecting the display. It’s a quick and easy step that often resolves the issue. If the small screen problem continues, let’s move on to the next solution.

Solution 3: Updating the YouTube TV App

Using an outdated version of the YouTube TV app can cause various issues, including display problems. App developers regularly release updates to fix bugs and improve performance, so it’s important to keep your app up to date. Here’s how to update the YouTube TV app on different devices:

On Smart TVs:

  1. Access the App Store: Go to your smart TV’s app store. This could be the Google Play Store (for Android TVs), the LG Content Store (for LG TVs), the Samsung App Store (for Samsung TVs), or a similar store depending on your TV brand.
  2. Search for YouTube TV: Use the search function to find the YouTube TV app.
  3. Check for Updates: If an update is available, you’ll see an "Update" button. Click it to start the update process. If there’s no update button, your app is likely already up to date.
  4. Install Updates: Wait for the update to download and install. Make sure your TV is connected to the internet during this process.
  5. Restart the App: Once the update is complete, relaunch the YouTube TV app.

On Streaming Devices (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV):

  1. Roku:
    • Roku typically updates apps automatically, but you can manually check for updates by going to Settings > System > System update > Check now.
    • If an update is available, Roku will download and install it.
  2. Fire Stick:
    • Go to Apps > Appstore. Then, select the Profile icon, then select Manage Apps, then select Updates. Any available updates will start to download.
  3. Apple TV:
    • Apple TV usually updates apps automatically. To check for updates manually, go to Settings > Apps > Automatically Update Apps. If it’s turned off, turn it on or select "Update Apps Manually" to see if any updates are available.

Keeping your YouTube TV app updated ensures you have the latest features and bug fixes, which can resolve display issues and improve overall performance. After updating, check if the small screen problem is resolved. If not, let’s explore the next solution.

Solution 4: Checking Your Internet Connection

A poor internet connection can sometimes cause display issues with YouTube TV. Streaming video requires a stable and fast internet connection, and if your connection is weak or intermittent, it can affect the video output. Here’s how to check and improve your internet connection:

  1. Run a Speed Test: Use a website like Speedtest.net to check your internet speed. Make sure you’re getting the speeds you’re paying for from your internet service provider. A speed of at least 5 Mbps is recommended for streaming HD content.
  2. Restart Your Modem and Router:
    • Unplug your modem and router from the power outlet.
    • Wait for about 30 seconds.
    • Plug the modem back in and wait for it to fully power on.
    • Plug the router back in and wait for it to fully power on.
    • This can often resolve connectivity issues by refreshing your network connection.
  3. Move Closer to the Router: If you’re using Wi-Fi, try moving your streaming device closer to the router to improve the signal strength. Obstacles like walls and furniture can weaken the Wi-Fi signal.
  4. Use an Ethernet Cable: For a more stable connection, consider using an Ethernet cable to connect your streaming device directly to the router. This eliminates the potential for Wi-Fi interference.
  5. Close Other Apps and Devices: Make sure other devices on your network aren’t using excessive bandwidth. Close any unnecessary apps or devices that are streaming video or downloading large files.

By ensuring you have a stable and fast internet connection, you can eliminate one of the potential causes of the small screen issue on YouTube TV. If the problem persists, let’s move on to the final solution.

Solution 5: Resetting Your Streaming Device or Smart TV

If none of the above solutions have worked, resetting your streaming device or smart TV can be a last resort. This will restore the device to its factory settings, which can resolve more complex software issues. Be aware that this will erase your settings and you’ll need to set up your device again.

Resetting a Smart TV:

  1. Access the Settings Menu: Use your TV remote to open the main settings menu.
  2. Navigate to General or System Settings: Look for a section related to general settings or system settings.
  3. Find the Reset Option: Look for a reset option, such as "Reset to Factory Settings" or "Initial Setup."
  4. Confirm the Reset: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the reset. You may need to enter a PIN or password.
  5. Wait for the Reset to Complete: The TV will restart and go through the initial setup process. Follow the instructions to set up your TV again.

Resetting a Streaming Device (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV):

  1. Roku:
    • Go to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset.
    • Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the reset.
  2. Fire Stick:
    • Go to Settings > My Fire TV > Reset to Factory Defaults.
    • Confirm the reset.
  3. Apple TV:
    • Go to Settings > General > Reset > Restore.
    • Confirm the reset.

After resetting your device, set it up again and reinstall the YouTube TV app. This should resolve any underlying software issues that were causing the small screen problem. This should give you a fresh start, and hopefully clear up the issue.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Several ways to fix YouTube TV when it's showing a small screen. Start with the easy stuff like checking your display settings and restarting the app. If those don't work, move on to updating the app, checking your internet connection, and as a last resort, resetting your device. Hopefully, one of these solutions will get you back to enjoying YouTube TV on your full screen in no time! Happy watching!