Why is YouTube so slow or even not working in Russia? It’s not a problem with your network or a technical issue. This is because the Russian government has slowed YouTube’s speed by 40% to 70% as a sanction. Worse yet, Russian media Gazeta.ru claims the government plans to completely block YouTube in September. But don’t worry. A VPN can help!
Table of Contents
Why Is YouTube So Slow in Russia?
Since August, many Russians have had trouble accessing YouTube on both desktop and mobile devices. Some users complain that YouTube videos load very slowly or completely stop loading. In some cases, YouTube has even become inaccessible. This is not your illusion, but a sanction by the Russian government against YouTube’s anti-Russian policies.
Why is this happening? The Russian government claims the slowdown targets YouTube’s management, not its Russian users, for not complying with Russian laws. They emphasize that action is necessary due to YouTube’s anti-Russian stance.
- In March 2022, YouTube disabled Premium subscriptions for Russian users.
- Later, YouTube removed the monetization options for Russian content creators, and Google disabled text ads for Russian residents in search engines and video hosting.
- This year, YouTube has banned 83 channels related to Russia. Affected bloggers include media, writers, and actors who support Russia and its government actions.
Currently, Russian users can still visit YouTube, but loading times are very long. More worryingly, this could be just the start of Russian sanctions against the platform.
The Head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, has long argued for YouTube’s removal in Russia, and a plan to “permanently block” it in September is under consideration. So, is there a way to use YouTube without restrictions in Russia? The short answer is yes, there is!
How to Watch YouTube Without Throttling in Russia?
Despite the increasing restrictions on YouTube in Russia, everything will work fine with a VPN. A VPN can change your IP address from Russia to another country. So, you can get YouTube unblocked without any problems. Moreover, a quality VPN service (like X-VPN) makes YouTube run as well as it used to as if it never slowed down. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Choose a reliable VPN service that still works in Russia.
Downloading VPN apps in Russia is getting harder. In July, about 25 popular VPN apps were removed from the Apple App Store in Russia. Among the remaining options, X-VPN is a perfect choice, offering both free and paid plans. Next, we’ll use X-VPN as an example.
Step 2: Download and install X-VPN for free.
Step 3: Register and log in to X-VPN.
- Free Users: No account needed.
- Paid Users: Log in for more servers and VPN features.
Step 4: Connect to a server. It is recommended to connect to “The Fastest Server”.
- Free Users: Automatically connect to the nearest server.
- Paid Users: You can choose from over 8000 servers in 65 countries. After testing, choose ‘The Fastest Server’ to allow YouTube videos to load without buffering.
Step 5: Easily access YouTube and other restricted services in Russia!
It’s worth noting that Russian authorities are actively cracking down on VPN use. We recommend downloading X-VPN as soon as possible, just in case. Click below now to try the paid version of X-VPN for free for 30 days!
Please use a VPN responsibly and follow local laws.
Related Reading:
What Is the Future of YouTube in Russia?
Will the Russian government completely block YouTube? How long will the speed restrictions last? We don’t know yet. However, we know that Russian authorities have recently increased their criticism of YouTube. The future of YouTube in Russia seems to be in danger.
However, YouTube has over 93 million users in Russia, and a ban on YouTube could trigger a social outcry. This might influence the Russian authorities to reconsider their actions.
The future of YouTube in Russia depends on whether the company will change its policies to comply with Russian laws. Otherwise, the outlook for YouTube in Russia is not promising, especially as local alternative platforms (like Rutube and VK Video) are developing rapidly.
Conclusion
Now you might know ‘Why is YouTube so slow?’ and ‘Why is YouTube not working?’ For this, a VPN is the most effective and simplest solution. Act fast and download X-VPN for free to access YouTube and other blocked services like before!
FAQs
Why is YouTube not working in Russia?
This could be due to Russian sanctions on YouTube for its anti-Russian policies. However, most Russian users can still access YouTube, although the loading times are very long.
What’s the best VPN for Russia?
We think X-VPN is the best VPN for Russia. X-VPN offers strong unblocking capabilities, robust security, fast speeds, and stable connections. Additionally, X-VPN adheres to a no-logs policy that won’t violate your privacy.
What are the best alternatives to YouTube in Russia?
Based on popularity, rutube.ru, kinopoisk.ru, ivi.ru, and amedia.site are the best alternatives to YouTube in Russia.
