Fix YouTube Restricted Mode Won’t Turn off on Mobile and PC 2023

🗓️ November 22, 2023 By ✍️ Jaysukh patel

YouTube has all kinds of videos; some are safe to watch, while some are not advisable for underage viewers. To overcome that, YouTube has implemented strict rules for the publishers to label the video. Following that, YouTube decides to put it under Restricted or Unrestricted Videos; one can enable and disable the YouTube Restricted Mode on any device to allow/not allow access to the restricted videos. With the YouTube Restricted Mode turned on, you won’t be able to stream mature content or sometimes won’t be able to comment on videos too.

Can’t disable YouTube Restricted Mode? YouTube showing, This video is unavailable with Restricted mode enabled? Try these following workarounds to fix YouTube Restricted Mode won’t turn off.

Fix YouTube Restricted Mode Won’t Turn Off on Mobile, PC

Try Disabling YouTube Restricted Mode

What if you’re mistaken while disabling the YouTube Restricted Mode, but still YouTube Restricted isn’t turning off? Give one more try.

1. In your Windows or Mac PC, open YouTube.com on the web browser.
2. Click on your profile button.
3. Scroll down the options and click on Restricted Mode, and make sure to select Off.
4. If it is already disabled, refresh the settings by turning on and turning off the YouTube Restricted Mode.

Furthermore, if Activate Restricted Mode is greyed out and you cannot disable the YouTube Restricted Mode, here’s what you can do.

1. Click on the profile icon.
2. Scroll down and select Restricted Mode.
3. Select Unlock Restricted Mode.
4. Enter the Google Password when asked.
5. Disable the Restricted Mode on YouTube.

Note: Activating and Deactivating the YouTube Restricted Mode is limited to the device but doesn’t operate on the Google Account level. When you disable or enable Restricted Mode on YouTube, it is limited to the device on which you’ve disabled/enabled the Restricted Mode, but not on the Google Account.

Reboot Device

First of all, restart the phone. If you’re experiencing issues with YouTube Mode and it won’t turn off on Mac, Windows, Android, or iPhone, just give a simple restart. Before that, close the YouTube App along with all other background apps.

Check Account Restrictions

YouTube Restricted Mode can’t be disabled when you’re using a Google Account provided by the Institution, Libraries, or Organization you work with because of admin might have restricted for all the accounts, including yours. Contact the administrator and ask them to lift YouTube restrictions for your account or PC.

While if you’re using Family Link App, then it might be possible your parents have put restrictions on YouTube. Again, ask the admin of Family Link to disable the YouTube restrictions.

Check Third-Party Apps and Services (Anti-Virus/Parental Control)

Do you have Anti-Virus Program or Parental Apps installed on your PC, Android, Mac, or iPhone? These programs might restrict YouTube and won’t show all the contents or won’t let you control the Restricted Mode on YouTube.

In such cases, there are several actions you can take like, disabling the Anti-Virus Program, Firewalls, VPN, Extensions, etc.

Check Network Restrictions

YouTube has a dedicated page that shows the YouTube Restrictions. Visit the YouTube Check Restrictions Page on a web browser. You should see the DNS Restrictions and HTTP Header Restrictions column to notify you about the network restrictions. If you see YouTube Restrict Mode, click on it to unlock the Restrict Mode.

Troubleshoot Internet

Try the following workarounds to troubleshoot Internet Connectivity.

Remove Ethernet Cable; if you’re using Ethernet Cable with PC or Mac, then remove it, and try using the Wi-Fi.

Change DNS Server; don’t know which DNS Server you’re using? No worries, change the DNS Server to Google DNS Server, 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, or you could go with automatic DNS Servers.

To Change DNS Server in Windows: Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing > Change Adapter Settings. Next, right-click on the network connection that you’re using and choose Properties. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 from the list and click Properties. Select Use the following IP Address and enter the IP Address: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

To Change DNS Server in iPhone: Visit our detailed article to learn how to change DNS Server on iPhone/iPad.

To Change DNS Server in Android: Open the Wi-Fi and Modify Network and there enter the IP Address Manually as mentioned above.

To Change DNS Server in Mac: Click on Apple menu > System Preferences > Network > click Advanced > DNS tab > click Plus and add DNS Server.  

Lastly, disconnect the Router Modem from the power adapter and reconnect after a few seconds.

Clear Browser Cache/YouTube App Cache

Despite the fact that the YouTube Restricted Mode is disabled, but you cannot see all the videos on YouTube, it’s time to clear the browser cache.

To Clear Cache Chrome: Open the Chrome App > click on Three Dots > Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.

YouTube App’s cache can only be cleared on Android devices; open the Settings app on your phone > Apps > YouTube > Storage > Clear cache.

Log Out of Google Account

Last but not least, try to log out and log in to Google Account that you’re using while streaming YouTube Videos.

1. Open YouTube on your device.
2. Click on the profile icon.
3. Select Sign out.