Don’t know how to turn off YouTube auto pause? Worry no further, because you’ve just found the solution!
Here, we will describe the issue in detail and provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to disable the auto-pause for good!
To turn off the auto pausing on YouTube, simply download the “Youtube Non-Stop” extension from the Google store. Configure the settings of the extension and tap on “Prevent inactivity pausing” to stop YouTube from pausing the content you’re watching.
Even though disabling the auto-pause on YouTube is easy as that, there might be other instances causing your YouTube videos to pause. Let’s learn more.
Why Does YouTube Keep Pausing My Videos?
One of the most widely populated opinions except the auto-pausing feature is a bad internet connection.
Whenever YouTube doesn’t receive enough bandwidth, it would pause your video to buffer some time ahead.
Any wrongly configured browser settings are absolutely capable of delivering an unexpected pause.
Such a feature could be the “Remind me to take a break”, which would pause your video every once in a while, in an attempt to make you take a break.
Lastly, YouTube itself could be responsible for the auto-pausing you’re experiencing.
On rare occasions, the video you’re viewing might experience general “loading time”, therefore it will be paused temporarily.
These are the main suspects and next, you’re going to learn how to deal with them.
How To Turn Off Auto Pause On YouTube PC/Laptop?
The auto-pause feature is included in YouTube settings by default and cannot be turned off without external assistance.
This is why Google Chrome has provided us with an extension that prevents YouTube from pausing the videos, regardless of your inactivity.
To enable the “AutoTube” extension, follow the steps down below.
Step #1 Confirm The Internet Connection
To download any file from the web, you must have a reliable internet connection.
Therefore, we suggest taking a look at your PC or laptop’s WiFi and making sure everything is good.
Once you have done that, let’s get you the chrome browser.
Step #2 Install Google Chrome Browser
For the best compatibility, we suggest using the “Google Chrome” browser, since the extension we are going to use to prevent the auto-pause is proven to work there.
If you don’t have the Chrome browser, you can download it easily from the “Google website” on the downloads page.
Follow the steps below to download and install the Google Chrome browser:
- Open your current default browser. (Microsoft Edge for Windows).
- In the search field of your browser, write “Chrome” and tap on the first result.
- On the official page, tap on the “Download” button.
- You will now receive a request on your Microsoft Edge and the download will start.
- Once downloaded Chrome, tap on the .exe file you’ve downloaded.
- Run the installation prompt, and choose the destination of your files.
- Wait for the installation to finalize.
Tip: Once installing chrome, we suggest making it your default browser.
This can be done via the settings of your Windows, by going to Settings > Apps > Chrome > “Make this my default browser”.
When Google Chrome is installed and it is now your default browser, let’s locate the extension we’re going to use!
Step #3 Find The “AutoTube” Extension
After acquiring the Chrome browser, you should find the extension in Chrome’s “Extension Store”.
This application will apply to your browser and IP address and prevent YouTube from auto pausing your videos.
To locate the AutoTube extension, follow the steps below:
- Open your Chrome browser and go to the “Extensions Store”.
- In the search field, write “Auto-Tube” (the full name of the extension should be “AutoTube – Youtube non-stop”)
- Tap on the first result, which should have the most downloads by now.
After locating the extension, make sure your Chrome is free of any similar apps. If you were using Chrome by now, you will most likely have included any extensions that might cause interference with “Auto-Tube”.
Alert: We recommend removing ALL other YouTube-related extensions.
Step #4 Install The “AutoTube” Extension
Now that you have located “AutoTube” in Chrome’s extensions store, it is time to add it to Chrome.
To add the extension to your Chrome browser, you should click the blue button labeled as “Add To Chrome”.
It might take several minutes for the extension to be applied. To check its options, you can use the extensions button in the top right of your Chrome.
If you haven’t set up this extension before, we recommend reading Step #5.
Step #5 Setup Auto-Tube
Once having the extension installed, you will be able to configure its settings from the Extensions button in your Chrome browser.
The auto-pause prevention is automatically enabled, but you can also disable the auto-play YouTube has enabled by default.
Users have tested this very extension and came up with a result that the video will not be paused, regardless of its length.
AutoTube Additional Features
If you’re looking for further customization of your YouTube, AutoTube has got you covered!
If you haven’t checked already, in the settings of the extension you might also disable the Auto-Play feature of YouTube.
What autoplay does is automatically play the next video in your YouTube queue, regardless of whether you’re watching or not.
To use the additional features of AutoTube, you can enable them in the extension menu, in the top right corner of your Chrome!
YouTube Still Auto-Pauses My Videos?
The steps explain exactly how to turn off YouTube auto pause, but if the videos are still being paused, probably there is another issue.
Perhaps your video is not pausing, but loading instead, due to a weak internet connection.
Here are some potential causes that you should check on:
1. Check your Internet
Run a speed test on your internet connection. If the results appear to be less than 20-30 Mbps, YouTube might have a hard time loading your videos.
We suggest restarting your router and relieving your network of extra bandwidth usage.
2. Lower the Quality
Use lower-quality videos. Go down to 720p or even 480p to check if the “pausing” will continue.
3. Turn off “Remind Me To Take A Break”
This brand-new feature of YouTube will pause your videos in an attempt to warn you to take a break.
It can be disabled from YouTube > Settings > Personalize > “Remind Me To Take A Break”> Off.
4. Use a Different Browser
Perhaps, it is the browser’s fault. We suggest using a different browser to stream YouTube, where the “AutoTube” extension is also applied.
Read Next: Why is My Internet Usage So High All of a Sudden?
Thus, to prevent YouTube from auto-pausing your videos, apply the “AutoTube” extension to your browser, preferably with Google Chrome. Check if the “Remind Me To Take A Break” feature is on and troubleshoot your internet if it didn’t help.
Bottom Line:
After learning how to turn off YouTube auto pause, you would understand that using AutoTube is really beneficial.
Besides preventing YouTube from auto pausing, which is your primary goal, this extension allows a bunch of alternative customizations for YouTube which might come to your liking!
Enjoy!
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.