How to Put a Song on YouTube on Repeat: The Definitive Guide

Want to lose yourself in your favorite tune on YouTube without manually hitting replay every few minutes? You’re in the right place. Let’s cut straight to the chase: To put a song on YouTube on repeat, the simplest and most effective method is to use the built-in loop feature. Simply right-click within the video player window and select “Loop.” This toggles the loop function on and off, allowing your chosen song to play endlessly until you decide to stop it. This functionality works seamlessly on desktop and mobile (through the mobile website).

Mastering the YouTube Repeat Function: A Deep Dive

While the basic “right-click and loop” method is straightforward, understanding the nuances can enhance your listening experience. Let’s delve into the various ways you can repeat a song on YouTube, exploring platform differences and offering alternative solutions.

The Desktop Delight: Looping on Your Computer

The desktop version of YouTube offers the most direct and intuitive way to repeat a song. As mentioned, right-clicking within the video player reveals the “Loop” option. Click it once, and a checkmark appears, indicating that the video will now repeat indefinitely. Click it again to disable the loop.

Beyond the simple right-click, consider these enhancements:

• Playlist Power: Create a playlist containing only the song you want to repeat. While not a single-video loop, you can then enable the “Shuffle” option (even though there’s only one song). This ensures the video restarts after playing, effectively creating a loop.
• Browser Extensions: Several browser extensions promise advanced looping features, such as specifying a portion of the video to loop. Exercise caution when installing these extensions, as some may be unreliable or contain malware. Always check reviews and ratings before installing anything.

Mobile Mastery: Repeating Songs on Your Phone or Tablet

Repeating songs on the YouTube mobile app isn’t as directly obvious as on desktop. The YouTube app does not offer a built-in loop feature for single videos. However, there are still ways to achieve that continuous playback on your mobile device:

• The Mobile Website Workaround: Access YouTube through your mobile browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.) instead of the app. Request the desktop site (usually found in the browser settings). This will bring up the desktop version of YouTube, allowing you to use the right-click “Loop” function as described above.
• Playlist Prowess (Again!): Create a playlist with only the song you desire. Then, play the playlist. While it’s technically playing a playlist, the effect is the same: your song repeats. This is the most reliable and safest method within the official YouTube app.
• Third-Party Apps (Proceed with Caution): Several third-party apps claim to offer YouTube looping capabilities. However, as with browser extensions, exercise extreme caution. Many of these apps violate YouTube’s terms of service and could compromise your device’s security. Stick to the official app or the mobile website method for the safest and most reliable experience.

YouTube Music: A Different Ballgame

If you’re a YouTube Music subscriber, the looping process is much simpler within the dedicated app. When playing a song, look for the loop icon (usually represented by two arrows forming a circle) in the player controls. Tapping this icon will enable looping for that specific song. Tapping it again will disable looping.

Troubleshooting: When the Loop Doesn’t Cooperate

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here are some common issues and solutions:

• The “Loop” Option is Missing: This usually indicates you’re not using the desktop version of YouTube in a browser. Ensure you’ve requested the desktop site on your mobile browser or are using a computer.
• The Video Stops After One Play: Double-check that the “Loop” option is actually enabled (there should be a checkmark). If you’re using a playlist, ensure the “Shuffle” and “Repeat” functions aren’t conflicting. Turn off shuffle if you only want the single song to repeat.
• Third-Party Apps Malfunctioning: If you’re experiencing issues with a third-party app, the best course of action is to uninstall it. It’s likely violating YouTube’s terms of service, and stability is not guaranteed.

FAQs: Your YouTube Looping Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of repeating songs on YouTube:

1. Can I loop only a specific section of a YouTube video?

Not natively within YouTube itself. You would need a browser extension or third-party website specifically designed for looping video segments. Remember to exercise caution when using such tools.

2. Does looping affect YouTube’s view count?

Yes. Every time a video restarts, it counts as another view. So, looping a song repeatedly will artificially inflate the view count.

3. Is it legal to loop a YouTube song for commercial purposes?

Generally, no. You need to obtain the necessary licenses and permissions from the copyright holder to use a song for commercial purposes, regardless of whether it’s looped or not. Looping does not circumvent copyright law.

4. How can I repeat a whole playlist on YouTube?

When playing a playlist, look for the “Repeat” icon in the player controls. It’s often represented by a circle with an arrow. Clicking it once will repeat the entire playlist. Clicking it again may offer options to repeat only the currently playing song (if available).

5. Does YouTube Premium affect the looping process?

No. YouTube Premium primarily removes ads and allows for background playback. It does not change how the looping function works.

6. Can I loop YouTube videos on my smart TV?

The availability of looping depends on the YouTube app installed on your smart TV. Some smart TV apps offer a “Loop” option within the video player, while others might not. Check your TV’s YouTube app settings.

7. What’s the easiest way to repeat a song on YouTube Music?

Within the YouTube Music app, the easiest method is to tap the “Loop” icon (circle with arrows) within the player controls.

8. Why is the “Loop” option grayed out?

This is rare, but it could be due to a browser extension interfering with YouTube’s functionality or a temporary glitch. Try disabling browser extensions or restarting your browser/device.

9. Can I create a loop that repeats a video indefinitely across multiple devices?

No, YouTube does not offer a global loop setting that synchronizes across devices. You need to enable the loop function individually on each device.

10. Are there any YouTube API limitations that affect looping capabilities in third-party apps?

Yes. YouTube’s API (Application Programming Interface) has restrictions that may limit the looping capabilities of third-party apps. YouTube actively discourages apps that excessively manipulate playback or inflate view counts.

11. Will YouTube ever add a built-in single-video loop feature to the mobile app?

While there’s no official confirmation, it’s a feature frequently requested by users. Keep an eye on YouTube’s official announcements for potential updates.

12. Is there a way to report a YouTube video that’s being artificially looped to inflate views?

Yes. If you believe a video’s view count is being artificially inflated, you can report it to YouTube for review. They have systems in place to detect and address such activity.

By understanding these methods and troubleshooting tips, you can confidently immerse yourself in your favorite YouTube songs, on repeat, whenever and wherever you desire.