> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.goguardian.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# YouTube Video Blocked Unexpectedly

> Troubleshoot YouTube videos or embedded playback that are blocked unexpectedly in GoGuardian Admin.

Use this page when a YouTube video, channel, or embedded player is blocked but should be available.

## Gather the Exact Details First

* The full YouTube URL, Shorts URL, or embedded-site URL
* Whether the YouTube website is blocked, or only the video playback is blocked
* Whether the content is a direct YouTube video, an embedded player, a live stream, a Short, or YouTube Kids
* The affected user and their OU or custom-group assignment
* Whether your district uses Google Admin Restricted Mode for YouTube

<Tip>
  Start by separating page access from video playback. A user may be allowed to open a YouTube page but still be blocked from watching the video.
</Tip>

## Check the Control Layers

1. If `youtube.com` or a related URL is blocked, start with Website URLs rules. If the page loads but the player is blocked, start with YouTube-specific rules.

2. If your district enforces Restricted Mode in Google Admin, confirm that the video is not being blocked there before you change GoGuardian Admin settings.

3. Review channel rules, video rules, keyword filters, category filters, Restrictive Mode, and toggle settings in [Configure YouTube Filtering](/products/admin/youtube-filtering).

4. If the video is embedded on another site, copy the direct video URL or channel URL and test that target directly. If the issue involves Shorts or YouTube Kids, verify which rule type actually applies.

5. If more than one policy affects the user, verify the effective YouTube result in Policy Checker and review [Understand Policy Precedence](/products/admin/how-filtering-rules-interact).

6. After making a change, retest the same direct video URL, embedded location, or site path that triggered the issue.

## Identify Common Causes

| Cause                                                                   | What to review                                                                                            |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `youtube.com` or another YouTube path is blocked                        | Website URLs rules                                                                                        |
| The video is blocked by channel, category, keyword, or Restrictive Mode | YouTube filtering in the policy                                                                           |
| Google Admin Restricted Mode blocks the video before Admin can allow it | Google Admin settings and [Understand YouTube Filtering Layers](/products/admin/youtube-filtering-layers) |
| The site is allowed but embedded playback is still blocked              | Direct video URL or channel allow rules                                                                   |
| The request involves Shorts, playlists, or YouTube Kids                 | Special-case behavior in [Configure YouTube Filtering](/products/admin/youtube-filtering)                 |

<Warning>
  Allowing a YouTube page URL in Website URLs rules does not override a block in the YouTube section. Fix the layer that is actually producing the block.
</Warning>

## Know When to Escalate

* The video is blocked even though both the relevant GoGuardian policy and Google Admin settings appear to allow it
* The blocked result only occurs for embedded playback and not for the direct video URL
* Policy Checker does not explain the effective YouTube result
* The behavior varies in a way that suggests a product bug rather than a rule conflict

## Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Configure YouTube Filtering" href="/products/admin/youtube-filtering">
    Review the feature model and configuration options for YouTube access and playback.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Understand YouTube Filtering Layers" href="/products/admin/youtube-filtering-layers">
    Use this concept page to determine which layer is causing the block.
  </Card>

  <Card title="A Site Is Blocked Unexpectedly" href="/products/admin/site-blocked-unexpectedly">
    Use the broader site-troubleshooting page when the problem is not limited to YouTube.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>