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Some Microsoft Edge users have reported that they are unable to watch YouTube videos on the browser. The issue is caused by the tracking-prevention mode of Edge, which is designed to protect users’ privacy by blocking third-party trackers across websites. However, this mode also interferes with some of the trackers that YouTube uses for displaying ads, resulting in a blank screen or an error message when users try to watch videos.
What is Tracking-Prevention Mode?
Tracking-prevention mode is a feature of Microsoft Edge that allows users to choose how much they want to block trackers from collecting their browsing data. Trackers are scripts or cookies that websites use to monitor users’ behavior, preferences, and interests. Some trackers are useful for providing personalized content and services, but others can be intrusive and harmful to users’ privacy and security.
Microsoft Edge offers three options for tracking prevention: Basic, Balanced, and Strict. The Basic mode blocks only the trackers that are known to be harmful or malicious. The Balanced mode blocks most trackers across sites but allows some that are essential for website functionality. The Strict mode blocks almost all trackers across sites, but it may also affect the functionality or performance of some websites.
How to Fix the YouTube Problem?
The YouTube problem is most likely to occur when users have selected the Strict mode for tracking prevention. This mode blocks some of the trackers that YouTube uses for displaying ads, which are a source of revenue for the video platform. YouTube may detect this as an ad-blocker and prevent users from watching videos.
To fix this problem, users can either switch to the Basic or Balanced mode for tracking prevention or add YouTube as an exception to the Strict mode. To switch the mode, users can go to Settings > Privacy, search, and Services> Tracking Prevention and select the desired option. To add an exception, users can go to Settings > Privacy, search, and Services> Tracking Prevention> Exceptions and enter the URL of YouTube.
By changing the tracking-prevention mode or adding an exception, users can enjoy watching YouTube videos on Microsoft Edge without compromising their privacy. However, they should also be aware of the trade-offs between privacy protection and website compatibility when choosing their tracking-prevention settings.
Mashable. (2023, April 5). Microsoft Edge users are blocked from using YouTube.