FreeTube API Error | Quick Fix Guide

If you’re getting a FreeTube API error, it usually means the app is having trouble connecting to YouTube’s backend (or another data source). FreeTube depends on Invidious instances or YouTube’s backend.

Here’s a breakdown of what could be causing the issue and how to fix it.

🔍 Common FreeTube API Errors & Fixes

✅ 1. “API Error” or “Could not fetch video details”

Cause: FreeTube depends on Invidious instances or YouTube’s backend, and if those instances are down or blocked, you get errors.

🔧 Fix:

• Go to Settings → General → API Backend.

• Switch to a different Invidious instance (e.g., https://yewtu.be or https://vid.puffyan.us).

• Test a few different ones — some may be rate-limited or temporarily offline.

✅ 2. “Network Error” or “Check your internet connection”

Cause: Either your device is offline, your firewall is blocking FreeTube, or the instance is unreachable.

🔧 Fix:

• Ensure your internet is working.

• Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus and try again.

• Try switching to a different network (e.g., from Wi-Fi to mobile).

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✅ 3. “No compatible video formats found”

Cause: This can happen when YouTube changes its streaming format or Invidious instances are not updated.

🔧 Fix:

• Check for a FreeTube update (via https://freetubeapp.io).

• Switch to a different API backend (Invidious or Local).

• Go to Settings → Video → Format Preferences, and select a different default resolution or format.

✅ 4. “Rate Limit Exceeded”

Cause: You’re making too many requests to one Invidious instance.

🔧 Fix:

• Switch to another instance in Settings → API Backend.

• Try again later after the rate limit resets.

✅ 5. FreeTube Stuck or Crashing

Fix:

• Clear the app cache:

  • Go to Settings → Data → Clear App Cache.

• Reinstall FreeTube if needed.

• Backup your subscriptions before uninstalling if you’ve added channels manually.

🔁 How to Change Invidious API Backend in FreeTube:

1. Open FreeTube.

2. Go to Settings → General.

3. Scroll to “API Backend”.

4. Select a working instance from the dropdown or manually enter one (e.g., https://inv.tux.pizza).

5. Save and restart FreeTube.

🌐 Test Invidious Instances

You can test instance uptime here: 🔗 https://invidious.io — List of working instances.