For several days now, YouTube users have been complaining about a significant decrease in image quality while watching video content, which by default has a low resolution – 144p or 360p – even at high Internet speed. When trying to manually switch the resolution to 1080p or higher, constant video buffering starts, which does not contribute to comfortable viewing.
Image source: Alexander Shatov/unsplash.com
Based on complaints posted on platforms like Reddit, the issue has hit iOS, desktop, and smart TV users the hardest. Android smartphones and tablets have no issues with YouTube.
«Even when I manually select 720p, which my connection is fully capable of and has always supported, it never goes above 144p. It’s unwatchable,” one Reddit user wrote in a post.
However, YouTube does not deny the existence of the problem and is working to fix it. “We know that some of you are experiencing lower than usual video quality when trying to watch media content on the platform. Rest assured, we are actively investigating this! We will share new information with you as soon as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience!” – the video service’s support page says.