Found the perfect song on YouTube and need it playing on repeat all afternoon? Or maybe you’ve stumbled across a clip so ridiculous you just can’t stop watching it? Whatever the reason, looping a YouTube video is something a lot of people want to do, and it’s easier than you might think.
The good news is that YouTube has a built-in loop option that works great in any desktop browser. The not-so-great news? It’s a little hidden, and it doesn’t always show up depending on how you’re watching. Don’t worry though, we’ve got a reliable fallback method too. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the two best ways to loop a YouTube video in 2026, plus a browser extension option if you want a bit more control.
Method 1: Use the Built-In Loop Option (Right-Click)
This is the quickest method and it works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, basically any modern desktop browser. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the YouTube video you want to loop in your browser.
- Right-click directly on the video player (anywhere on the video image itself).
- A small context menu will pop up. Click Loop.
That’s it! The video will now restart automatically every time it ends. You’ll know it’s working because the video just keeps going. No end screen, no “Up Next” suggestions interrupting your vibe.
Don’t see the Loop option? This can happen if you’re watching an embedded video (one that’s been placed on another website), or if your browser is in a weird state. If the option isn’t showing up, skip down to Method 2, as it works every time.
Method 2: Add the Video to a Playlist and Set It to Repeat
If the right-click method isn’t working for you, this is the most reliable fallback. The idea is simple: you create a playlist with just that one video in it, then set the playlist to repeat. YouTube will keep playing it on a loop forever. You’ll need to be signed into your Google account for this one.
Step 1: Save the Video to a New Playlist
While watching the video, click the Save button below the video (it looks like a bookmark icon). A menu will appear with your existing playlists. Click Create new playlist, give it any name you like (something like “Loop” works fine), and click Create.
Step 2: Open Your New Playlist
Now click on the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top-left corner of the YouTube page to open the sidebar. Scroll down to Library and click on the playlist you just created. You should see your one video listed there.
Step 3: Turn On Playlist Repeat
Once the playlist is open and the video is playing, look for the loop/repeat icon in the player controls. Click it once to enable Repeat playlist. Since there’s only one video in the playlist, YouTube will just keep replaying that same video over and over.
This method is rock-solid. Even if the right-click Loop option disappears after an ad or a page refresh, the playlist repeat setting sticks around.
Method 3: Use a Browser Extension for More Control
If you want to loop just a portion of a video, say, a specific 30-second guitar solo, neither of the above methods will cut it. That’s where a browser extension comes in handy.
For Chrome, Looper for YouTube is a popular option. Once installed, it adds a loop control bar directly below the YouTube player. You can set a specific start and end point to loop just part of the video, or loop the whole thing a set number of times.
For Firefox, check out YouTube Video Replay on the Firefox Add-ons page.
Just keep in mind that browser extensions come with some trust trade-offs, as you’re giving a third-party tool access to your browser. Stick to extensions with lots of reviews and a solid reputation, and you’ll be fine.
What About Looping on Mobile?
Here’s the frustrating truth: the YouTube mobile app doesn’t make looping as easy as the desktop does. There’s no right-click menu on a touchscreen (obviously), and the built-in loop option isn’t always front and center.
Your best bet on mobile is the playlist method above, which works in the YouTube app just as well as in a browser. Create a single-video playlist on desktop first, then open it in the app and enable repeat. Alternatively, open the YouTube video in your phone’s mobile browser (Chrome or Safari) and try the playlist method from there.
Tips and Troubleshooting
Running into issues? Here are the most common hiccups and how to fix them:
- Loop option is missing from the right-click menu: This usually happens with embedded videos or certain player states. Use the playlist method instead, as it’s more reliable.
- Video stopped looping after an ad: Ads can sometimes interrupt the loop state, especially in the right-click method. If this keeps happening, the playlist repeat method is more stable.
- Loop stopped working after signing in or out: Try refreshing the page and re-enabling the loop option. If you’re using the playlist method, make sure you’re still signed into the same account.
- Want to loop only part of a video: YouTube’s built-in loop only repeats the whole video. For partial loops, use the Looper for YouTube extension mentioned in Method 3.
- Nothing is working on mobile: The YouTube app can be stubborn about this. Your most reliable option on mobile is to open YouTube in a browser tab (not the app) and use the playlist repeat method.
Wrapping Up
Looping a YouTube video is one of those things that should be dead simple, and with the right-click method, it usually is. If that doesn’t work for you, the single-video playlist trick is your best friend and works across pretty much every platform. Between these two methods, you should be covered no matter what you’re watching or where you’re watching it.
Personally, the right-click loop is all most people will ever need. It takes about two seconds and works great. Save the playlist method for when you’re on mobile or dealing with a stubborn embedded player. Now go enjoy that video on infinite repeat (your housemates may not thank you, but we will)!