Restricted Mode is a feature on YouTube that allows parents to control what their children can see. However, it’s not always effective and some kids find ways to get around it. Here are some reasons why Restricted Mode might not be working: -The child may be using a device that isn’t compatible with Restricted Mode -The child may be using a device that is set up incorrectly -The child may have disabled Restricted Mode on their own account -The child may have been removed from the family’s YouTube account ..
If you have a Google account that is managed through Google Family Link, only your parent or account supervisor can disable Restricted Mode. ..
1. Switch to Wi-Fi or Ethernet Network
We found that this issue commonly affects users accessing YouTube via cellular data on Sprint/T-Mobile and Boost Mobile networks. Some network providers have pre-enabled parental control settings that load YouTube in Restricted Mode by default. This can prevent children from watching videos while on their cell phone, which can be a frustrating experience for parents who want to keep their children safe online.
You can bypass this restriction by using a Wi-Fi connection to access YouTube. Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network and refresh YouTube. or reopen the YouTube app.
YouTube is currently unavailable to users in the United States and Canada due to restrictions placed by their network providers. If you are located in one of these countries and have a valid account, please contact your network provider to have these restrictions removed. ..
2. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Some Windows users are reporting that using a VPN can remove network-generated restrictions. Install a VPN app on your device and set the connection to your present region or any country of choice. Refresh YouTube or reopen the YouTube mobile app and check if you can turn Restricted Mode off.
3. Disable Your Antivirus and Firewall
Some antivirus software have parental control settings and filters that block access to specific websites. Check your antivirus settings and remove any parental control or firewall restriction targeted at YouTube. Better yet, temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall software so that you can watch YouTube without fear of being blocked.
4. Check for Domain Name System (DNS) Restrictions
If you can’t disable Restricted Mode over Wi-Fi, your router’s DNS settings may be blocking YouTube. Visit the YouTube Content Restriction page to verify that your network has no YouTube-specific restrictions.
If you’re experiencing any network restrictions with the tool, contact your network administrator or change your device’s DNS provider. We recommend using one of Google’s free public DNS servers. ..
5. Disable Google SafeSearch
Google has a “SafeSearch” feature that hides explicit and mature content from children. If you visit YouTube via Google with SafeSearch enabled, your device or network administrator may enable Restricted Mode on the video sharing platform. If that happens, you can’t turn off Restricted Mode unless you disable Google SafeSearch and refresh YouTube.
Google SafeSearch is a feature that helps you keep your search results clean and organized. To turn it off, go to the Google SafeSearch settings page and click on the toggle switch next to Explicit results filter.
There are two ways to disable Google SafeSearch. You can select the gear icon in the top-right corner of a Google Search result page and turn on Explicit results filter.
6. Clear Browser Cache
Clearing your browsing data can help you troubleshoot website issues. For example, if a website is crashing or not working correctly, clearing the cache can help.
7. Clear the YouTube App’s Cache Data
If you can’t turn off Restricted Mode in the Android YouTube app, deleting the app’s cache data might help. Close the YouTube app and follow the steps below.
If you can’t clear your cache or restricted mode, try deleting all of YouTube’s data on your device. This will not sign out your Google account.
8. Disable Browser Add-Ons or Extensions
YouTube is a video streaming website that can be accessed through a web browser. By disabling add-ons or extensions, you may improve the loading time of YouTube. If this does not work, you may need to reload YouTube and check if it has disabled Restricted Mode.
How to Disable Add-Ons in Google Chrome
Disable each extension and then refresh YouTube. This will help determine which add-on is causing the restriction on disabling YouTube’s Restricted Mode.
How to Disable Add-Ons in Mozilla Firefox
How to Disable Add-Ons in Microsoft Edge
If you can disable all add-ons or extensions, the next step is to find the problematic add-on.
To enable restricted mode on YouTube, open your browser’s add-on management page and enable the “Restricted Mode” add-on. Refresh YouTube and try turning off restricted mode. Enable another add-on, refresh YouTube, and try disabling restricted mode. Repeat the step for all add-ons until you find the culprit. ..
If you’re having trouble disabling Restricted Mode after enabling a specific add-on, try disabling or uninstalling the add-on. You can also report the problem to the add-on’s developers. ..
9. Update Your Web Browser
Web browsers can often experience various malfunctions. If the troubleshooting recommendations above do not resolve the issue, it may be time to check for an update for your browser. ..
10. Close and Reopen Your Browser
If you can disable and activate Restricted Mode in different web browsers on your device, close and reopen the browser that won’t turn off the feature. Close all open tabs in that browser, then save or bookmark your tabs so you don’t lose important web pages. ..
YouTube Support can help you if restricted mode remains grayed out in the YouTube settings menu.
