Channels & viewing

[Gemini-Apollo]

My YouTube app disappeared off the home screen of my 4210X - Roku 2 yesterday.  It is only channel gone from my home menu. 

The YouTube app is on the home screen of 2 other devices on the same network and can be accessed on both of those Roku devices, as well as on my iPhone, android tablet and Windows 10 PC,. 

When I check the website, it says YouTube is already installed. There is no option to remove or delete the You Tube app, to reinstall it.

When I try to add the channel back, it always says “Channel install failed, could not add”.
I have checked for system updates, restarted the system, done a connection check, unplugged it from the wall for 10 seconds, and have even done a factory reset. I’m not sure what else to do!

[atc98092]

I can't say for certain, but it sounds like Google has removed support for YouTube from older players. The 4210 is still supported by Roku, but not by all channel providers. Why they would do that, I can't say. the 4210 is still a capable player, but perhaps they simply drew a line in the sand. Since it's appearing on your other devices, that means it's attached to your account, so it will appear on all supported devices.

I know it's a bit of work, but you might try a factory reset. That would clear any possible corrupt code in the channel, and if YouTube is still supported on your player by Google it will be added back in when you link the player back on your account. I've had to do that once or twice over the years, including devices other than Roku.

[DBDukes]

@Gemini-Apollo 

First, try everything @atc98092 suggested.

Next, the Roku 2 model 4210 is supported: https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/7129767?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid#zippy=%2Cstrea...

Next, if the Roku Website shows the app is already installed, then it should be on a device that's tied to your account. Do you have any other Roku devices? https://my.roku.com/ at the bottom will list all your devices. If you go to one of those devices and remove the app, then that would remove it from your account, allowing you to install, if the device supports it.

Still, I'm thinking that since Google supports that device for YouTube, it should be already installed. Perhaps there's an issue with the current YouTube app that's preventing it from installing, and a fix from Google will resolve it.

[Gemini-Apollo]

Thanks and kudos to both atc98092 and DBDukes for the quick responses, information and advice,  I went ahead and repeated all the steps I previously did as well as what you both suggested and cycled and reset the router on all 3 Roku devices.  As I feared, removing the channel from the 2 devices it was still present, resulted in not being able to add the channel on all 3 Roku devices and getting the same error message on all them,  I guess I am left with having to upgrade them all to newer models.  Thanks for the attempt, I appreciate it.

[Gemini-Apollo]

I also wanted to verify it wasn't due contract negotiations breaking down between Google/YouTube and Roku like what happened earlier this year.

[DBDukes]

@Gemini-Apollo 

Before anything else happens, please clarify the app. You said "You Tube." The behavior you're describing sounds like YouTube TV, not YouTube.

Is it YouTube, as you indicated? Or is it really YouTube TV? Because those are not the same thing.

[Gemini-Apollo]

It is the YouTube app, NOT the YouTube TV app I am having the issue with.

[DBDukes]

@Gemini-Apollo 

There should be no issue with the YouTube app on any supported Roku device. The Roku 2 (4210) is a supported devices.

From what I'm reading, it failed to show and would not install on the Roku 2, but was on the other devices prior to removal. What is the model number of the other devices? That is, the ones that still had the YouTube app but now don't and can't get?

Also, are you in the U.S.? Are you using a VPN?