How to Fix SmartTube and NewPipe Not Working Problem

SmartTube and NewPipe stopped working yesterday. Users started to fail to play videos on these two apps, receiving a failing code 403 on their devices. The same happened to many other YouTube third-party apps too. So how to fix it? At the end of the article, we'll show you two easy solutions to fix the SmartTube and NewPipe Error Code 403.

SmartTube and NewPipe Error Code 403

The unknown source error response code 403 suggests that YouTube may be actively blocking these unofficial apps from accessing its content or have changed something.

Check if you've encountered these situations on a YouTube third-party app:

Get a fail code after 60 seconds of playback on every video.

When you click on a video, it loads a few seconds and then brings you back to the play menu.
The video description and comments load, but no video play.
Videos load endlessly without playing.

All the YouTube third-party apps play nothing, are they clamping down?

SmartTube Next

Yurii

A free & unofficial YouTube app for Android TVs and TV boxes!

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YouTube Policy Changes

According to a reliable source, #r/NewPipe recent post on Reddit, YouTube has recently implemented stricter anti-bot measures for its streaming services. These include:

A new anti-bot check (pot URL parameter) for HTML5 clients, causing 403 errors for apps like NewPipe and ReVanced.
Mandatory use of a throttling parameter (n query parameter) with a correct value from YouTube's JavaScript player.
A new JavaScript player that makes extracting the required function more difficult.

These changes have resulted in 403 HTTP responses for third-party apps, effectively blocking their access to YouTube content. The anti-bot measures are challenging to implement without a full browser environment, making it difficult for alternative YouTube clients to function properly. So how to fix it?

How to Fix SmartTube and NewPipe Error Code 403

If you're experiencing problems with SmartTube, try these solutions:

Method 1: Reinstall the App

Update SmartTube/NewPipe: Ensure you have the latest version of SmartTube installed.
Clear cache and data: Go to your device's Settings > Apps > SmartTube and clear cache and data.
Disable VPN: Some users report that pausing their VPN resolves loading issues.
Reinstall SmartTube/NewPipe: If problems persist, uninstall and reinstall SmartTube.

Method 2: Download an Old Version APK

Check the internet connection: Ensure you have a strong internet connection.
Clear cache and data: Go to your device's Settings > Apps > SmartTube and clear cache and data.
Disable VPN: Some users report that pausing their VPN resolves loading issues.
Download an old version of SmartTube/NewPipe: Visit the APKPure SmartTube/NewPipe history version page to restore a previous version.

Smart Tube

While SmartTube and NewPipe offer valuable features for many users, ongoing changes in YouTube's policies may affect their long-term viability. Users should stay informed about updates and be prepared to explore alternative options for ad-free YouTube viewing.