Keep Playing YouTube
You need playlists or overnight videos to play continuously without babysitting the tab.
This page explains why YouTube shows the “Video paused. Continue watching?” message and which reliable workarounds still work.
YouTube periodically checks for signs you are away. When the tab loses focus, the player stops receiving events, or your battery saver kicks in, the platform pauses playback to save bandwidth.
Why YouTube pauses
Match the symptoms below to your setup so you can focus on the correct trigger.
Fix it fast
Try the quick steps below, testing playback after each change.
- Create long playlists and ensure Autoplay is on.
- Disable break reminders and data saver.
- Use extensions to handle pop-ups.
If the prompt returns after a YouTube update, repeat the fix that previously worked instead of hunting for a new workaround.
Make it hands-off with YT Nonstop
YT Nonstop (waitlist) automatically dismisses the prompt, keeps tabs active, and adapts to interface changes without requiring invasive permissions. Join the waitlist from the sidebar to stop babysitting playback.