YouTube Error 153, a “Video Player Configuration Error,” Fix

YouTube Error 153 is a “Video Player Configuration Error” that happens when YouTube blocks a video because it cannot verify where the video is being played.

YouTube Error 153, a “Video Player Configuration Error,” usually means your browser’s security settings (like strict referrer policies) or extensions are blocking the embedded player from getting necessary info, often fixed by updating your iframe with referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin”, clearing browser cache/cookies, disabling ad-blockers, or trying a different browser, with solutions focusing on aligning with modern privacy standards.

This error almost always occurs on embedded videos (videos played inside other websites, apps like Discord/Obsidian, or streaming tools like OBS) rather than on the main YouTube website.

Here is how to fix it depending on how you are watching.

1. If you are a Viewer (Watching on a browser/PC)

The error is likely caused by a browser extension or privacy setting blocking the “Referrer” data that YouTube requires.

• Disable “Auto HD” or Ad Blockers:

  • This is the most common cause. Extensions like “Auto HD for YouTube”, “Automatic 4K”, or aggressive ad-blockers strip the data YouTube needs to verify the video.

  • Fix: Go to your browser extensions (Puzzle icon > Manage Extensions) and turn them off one by one to find the culprit.

• Watch on YouTube Directly:

  • Since this is an embed error, the video will almost always play if you click the “Watch on YouTube” logo in the bottom corner of the player to open it in a new tab.

• Clear Cache & Cookies:

  • Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data. Select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies” for the last 7 days.

2. If you are a Streamer/Creator (Using OBS or a Website)

If you are getting this error inside OBS Studio (Browser Source) or on your own website, it is because YouTube recently updated its security policy to block requests with no “Referrer” header.

• The “No-Cookie” Fix (Easiest):

  • In your code or OBS URL, change the domain part of the link:

  • From: https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID

  • To: https://www.youtube-**nocookie**.com/embed/VIDEO_ID

  • Why this works: The “nocookie” domain has less strict tracking requirements and often bypasses the 153 error.

• The “Referrer Policy” Fix (For Websites/Coding):

  • If you are coding a website, you must add this attribute to your <iframe> tag:

  • referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"

For Users (Watching Videos)

Since you are watching a video (not streaming/coding), this error means the website you are on is failing to “prove” to YouTube that it is allowed to play the video.

Here is the quick fix checklist, ranked by what works most often.

1. The “Auto HD” & “Anti-Tracker” Fix (Most Common)

YouTube recently updated its security to block automated requests. If you have any extension that forces video quality or blocks tracking, it will break embedded players.

• Disable these specific extensions:

  • Auto HD / Automatic 4K for YouTube (This is the #1 culprit in late 2025).

  • Bitdefender Anti-tracker (or similar privacy extensions).

  • Ad-blockers (Try turning them off just for that page).

• Test: Reload the page. If the video plays, you found the problem.

2. The “Incognito” Test (Fastest Check)

If you don’t want to disable extensions one by one, open the same page in an Incognito / Private Window.

• If it works in Incognito: It is definitely one of your extensions causing the conflict.

• If it FAILS in Incognito: It might be a network or browser setting issue (move to step 3).

3. The “Watch on YouTube” Bypass

Since this error only happens on embedded players (videos inside other sites like Discord, Reddit, or blogs):

• Look for the “Watch on YouTube” logo/text in the bottom corner of the error screen.

• Clicking this will open the video in a new tab on the actual YouTube website, where Error 153 cannot happen.

4. Clear “YouTube” Cookies

Sometimes your authentication “token” for embeds gets corrupted.

1. Go to your browser settings > Privacy & Security > Site Settings.

2. Search for youtube.com.

3. Click Delete data or the Trash icon.

4. Note: You will be signed out of YouTube and need to log back in.