is youtube down: Users encounter 'Just a moment...' redirect

Users across multiple regions began reporting interruptions when trying to load the video site, with many seeing a blocking page that reads "Just a moment... " and a prompt that says "Click here if you are not redirected automatically. " The disruption has prompted a wave of questions asking if the service is down and how to restore access.

What users are seeing and when it began

Beginning in the early hours on February 18, 2026, ET-zone users started encountering an interstitial page rather than regular content. The page displays a short message — "Just a moment... " — and a line asking visitors to click a link if they are not redirected automatically. For many, the redirect never completes and playback or page load stalls.

Instances have been reported on desktop and mobile browsers and in app access attempts. Some users see the page briefly before content loads; others are unable to pass the interstitial at all, receiving repeated redirects or a stalled loading indicator. The issue appears intermittent: while some groups regain access after a refresh or a short wait, others continue to be blocked.

Why this can happen and what to try now

There are several common technical causes that can produce an interstitial blocking page or prevent automatic redirects from completing. Possible culprits include network-level interruptions, DNS issues, content-delivery routing problems, or automated security checks that misclassify traffic. Local factors such as a browser extension, cached data, or a misbehaving router can also trigger the same symptoms for individual users.

If you are seeing the "Just a moment... " page, try these troubleshooting steps (times referenced in ET):

• Refresh the page after 30–60 seconds. A transient check can sometimes clear on retry.
• Open the site in an incognito or private window to bypass extensions and cached cookies.
• Clear your browser cache and cookies, then restart the browser and try again.
• Disable browser extensions, especially ad blockers and privacy tools, and reload the site.
• Try another device on the same network to determine whether the problem is local to one device.
• Restart your modem or router and, if possible, test on a different internet connection such as a mobile hotspot.
• Flush local DNS cache or change your DNS to a public resolver temporarily to rule out DNS propagation issues.
• If you access through a workplace or school network, temporary security filters may be blocking the redirect; try a home network.

These steps resolve many user-side issues quickly. If the problem persists across multiple devices and connections, it is more likely to be a broader outage or service-side check in progress.

What to expect next and how to stay informed

Intermittent interruptions tied to security checks or routing can clear within minutes to hours. If the issue is widespread, engineers typically work to restore normal traffic flows and remove errant blocks. Users affected by the redirect problem should watch for restored access and try the quick fixes above before assuming a global outage.

We will continue to monitor the situation. If you remain unable to access content after trying the troubleshooting steps, try again later and note the time of your attempts in ET for any follow-up. Community discussion threads and monitoring services often capture the scale and timing of outages as they evolve.

For now, many users are toggling caches and connections, and some are reporting success after a short wait. We’ll provide updates if there is confirmation of a longer service interruption or restoration timeline.