YouTube TV Fixes ‘Restricted’ Bug That Broke DVR Recordings
▼ Summary
– A widespread bug prevented YouTube TV subscribers from accessing their recorded content library across multiple platforms.
– The issue displayed “Restricted recording” or “go back” error messages, falsely citing content provider restrictions.
– Google acknowledged the problem and confirmed its engineering teams were actively working on a solution.
– The technical issue did not affect all subscribers but impacted a significant number of users.
– Google has since resolved the bug, and full access to recorded programs has been restored.
YouTube TV has successfully resolved a technical glitch that was preventing subscribers from accessing their recorded shows and movies. The service confirmed the fix after users across various platforms reported seeing “Restricted recording” error messages when trying to play content from their DVR libraries. This disruption affected a significant number of customers on mobile apps, smart TVs, and the web interface, though it was not universal.
The problem emerged over several hours, with the platform incorrectly stating that content providers like NBC or ESPN had restricted access to the recordings. Subscribers found themselves unable to watch their saved programs, encountering prompts that forced them to go back without explanation. Google acknowledged the widespread issue on its support forums, informing users that engineering teams were actively investigating the cause and developing a solution.
In an official statement, the company addressed the community directly, asking for patience while the teams worked to restore functionality. They noted that the error messages in question were the “Restricted recording” or “go back” notifications, which were not indicative of any actual licensing changes but rather a system bug. The company promised to provide timely updates through its official channels as more information became available.
With the fix now deployed, users should no longer experience these playback errors and can resume watching their cloud DVR recordings as normal. The swift resolution highlights the platform’s responsiveness to service interruptions that directly impact the user experience. For those who rely on YouTube TV for time-shifted viewing, the restoration of the recording library is a critical return to expected functionality.
This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in streaming television services, where technical backend issues can momentarily disrupt access despite content being properly licensed and recorded. Subscribers who may still encounter problems are encouraged to check for app updates or restart their devices to ensure all system changes are properly applied. The platform’s support teams remain available for any lingering concerns following the corrective update.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
