The easiest way to loop a YouTube video is to right click the video and choose Loop. On phones, use the video settings menu and turn on Loop video. YouTube supports this built in repeat feature for videos and playlists [source: YouTube Help]. No extra app is needed for most people.
TLDR: Use YouTube’s own Loop setting first. It is fast, free, and safe. For example, if you play a 3 minute language lesson 20 times, you get 60 minutes of practice without touching the screen again. If the button is missing on your TV or browser, make a playlist with one video and loop the playlist instead.
Why loop a YouTube video?
Sometimes one play is not enough. Maybe you found a perfect rain sound. Maybe your kid wants the same cartoon song again. And again. And again. Send help.
Looping is also great for:
- Music practice: Repeat one guitar riff until your fingers behave.
- Workouts: Keep a timer or routine running.
- Study: Replay a lecture clip or pronunciation sample.
- Sleep sounds: Keep rain, waves, or white noise playing.
- Events: Run a promo video on a screen.
Now let’s get to the fun bit. Here are the best tools and methods.
Method 1: Loop a YouTube video on desktop
This is the cleanest method. It takes about two seconds.
- Open the video on YouTube.
- Right click on the video player.
- Click Loop.
- That’s it. The video will repeat until you turn it off.
To stop it, right click the video again. Then click Loop once more. The check mark will go away.
Best for: Music, tutorials, background sounds, and short clips.
Annoyance level: Low. The only silly part is that many people never think to right click a video. YouTube hides the feature like it owes someone money.
Method 2: Loop a YouTube video on iPhone or Android
The mobile app also has a loop option. It is just a few taps deep.
- Open the YouTube app.
- Play the video.
- Tap the screen.
- Tap the gear icon.
- Tap Additional settings, if you see it.
- Turn on Loop video.
Some app versions show the option in a slightly different spot. That can be annoying. If you do not see it, update the app. Then try again.
Best for: Bedtime audio, kids’ songs, exercise videos, and language practice.
Method 3: Loop a YouTube playlist
Playlists are your best friend when you want to repeat one video or many videos. This method works well on desktop, mobile, and some TV apps.
To loop one video with a playlist:
- Click Save under the video.
- Create a new playlist.
- Add only that one video.
- Open the playlist.
- Click the Loop icon in the playlist controls.
To loop many videos, add them all to one playlist. Then hit the same loop icon. If you want chaos, turn on shuffle too. Honestly, it feels like giving YouTube the DJ booth at a wedding.
Best for: Party music, study mixes, workout sets, and waiting room screens.
Method 4: Use a browser extension
Browser extensions can give you more control. Some let you loop only part of a video. That is handy for dance moves, drum fills, or one tricky word in another language.
Look for features like:
- Loop full video
- Loop between two timestamps
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Auto loop for every video
- Speed control
Popular options often appear in the Chrome Web Store. Check ratings, reviews, and update dates before installing anything [source: Chrome Web Store].
Best for: Musicians, students, dancers, and anyone repeating tiny sections.
Annoyance level: Medium. Some extensions ask for broad permissions. That always feels a bit nosy. If an extension wants access to every site you visit, pause for a second.
Method 5: Use a YouTube loop website
There are sites that loop YouTube videos for you. You paste the YouTube link. Then the site plays it on repeat.
These tools may offer extra controls. Some let you pick a start time and end time. Some have a cleaner player. Some are packed with ads, which is less fun than stepping on a Lego.
Basic steps:
- Copy the YouTube video link.
- Open a loop website.
- Paste the link.
- Set the loop range, if needed.
- Press play.
Best for: Quick repeats on a shared computer, or when YouTube’s app is being weird.
Safety tip: Do not sign in with your Google account on random loop sites. You do not need to. If a site asks, leave.
Method 6: Loop a YouTube video with an embed code
This one is for bloggers, teachers, and site owners. You can embed a YouTube video and make it loop.
A common embed trick uses loop=1 and adds a playlist value with the same video ID.
Example:
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEOID?playlist=VIDEOID&loop=1"></iframe>Replace VIDEOID with the real video ID. The video ID is the part after v= in a normal YouTube link.
Best for: Landing pages, event screens, digital signs, and class pages.
One warning: Browsers may block autoplay with sound. Muted autoplay is more likely to work. That is a browser rule, not your fault.
Method 7: Loop video on a smart TV
This is where things get messy. Some YouTube TV apps do not show a loop button. It drives me crazy that a phone can do it in seconds, while a giant TV makes you hunt for basic controls.
Try these fixes:
- Create a playlist with one video.
- Open that playlist on the TV.
- Look for the playlist loop icon.
- Cast from your phone with loop enabled.
- Use a laptop connected by HDMI.
Best for: Shops, parties, classrooms, and lobbies.
Best method by need
| Need | Best method |
|---|---|
| Repeat one song | Desktop right click or mobile loop setting |
| Repeat many songs | YouTube playlist loop |
| Practice one small clip | Browser extension |
| Loop on TV | One video playlist or cast from phone |
| Loop on a website | Embed code with loop settings |
Quick fixes when looping does not work
- Update the app. Old app versions may hide the loop option.
- Refresh the page. Simple, but it works more often than it should.
- Turn off shuffle. Shuffle can make playlist behavior odd.
- Check autoplay. It is not the same as loop.
- Try a playlist. This often saves the day on TVs.
- Clear cache. Use this if buttons vanish or menus lag.
Which option should you pick?
Start with YouTube’s built in loop button. It is the safest choice. It is also the fastest.
Use playlists when you want more than one video. Use an extension when you need to repeat only a tiny slice. Use an embed code when the video lives on your own page.
The best tool is the one that keeps your video playing while you do less clicking. That is the whole point. Press loop once. Enjoy the repeat. Then go live your life.
