YouTube Music Error Code 6: How to Fix It
Easy 5-15 minutes Medium Severity
Verified June 2026
- Error Code
- 6
- Brand
- YouTube Music
- Product Type
- music_streaming
- Severity
- Medium
- DIY Difficulty
- Easy
- Estimated Fix Time
- 5-15 minutes
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Tools You'll Need
- Smartphone (Android or iOS)
- Active internet connection
- YouTube Music app (latest version)
- Google account credentials
- YouTube Music Premium subscription
How to Fix Error Code 6
-
Check Your YouTube Music Subscription Status
-
Disable Battery Optimization for YouTube Music
Disabling battery optimization for YouTube Music may slightly increase battery usage, but it is necessary for uninterrupted background playback. -
Grant Background Activity Permission
-
Clear the YouTube Music App Cache
Do not tap 'Clear Data' if you have offline music downloads you want to keep, as this will delete them. -
Update the YouTube Music App
-
Sign Out and Sign Back In to YouTube Music
If you have offline downloads, signing out will remove access to them until you sign back in and they resync. -
Reinstall the YouTube Music App
Uninstalling the app will delete all offline downloads. Make sure you have a stable internet connection to re-download them after reinstalling.
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When to Call a Professional
YouTube Music Error Code 6 is almost always a software or settings issue you can resolve yourself. However, if you have confirmed you have an active Premium subscription, all permissions are granted, battery optimization is disabled, and you have reinstalled the app — yet the error persists — contact YouTube Music Support directly at support.google.com/youtubemusic. If the issue appears to be a billing problem (Premium showing as inactive despite being charged), contact Google Play billing support. There is no hardware component to this issue, so no technician visit is needed.Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need YouTube Music Premium to play music in the background?
Yes. Background play — meaning audio continues when your screen is locked or you switch apps — is a YouTube Music Premium feature. Free users can only listen while the YouTube Music app is open and on screen. If you want background playback, you need an active Premium subscription.
Why does YouTube Music keep stopping when my screen turns off?
This is usually caused by Android's battery optimization feature killing the app to save power. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization, find YouTube Music, and set it to 'Unrestricted' or 'Don't optimize.' This tells your phone not to stop the app when the screen turns off.
I have YouTube Premium — does that include background play on YouTube Music?
Yes. YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music Premium as part of the same subscription. If you have an active YouTube Premium subscription, you should have background play enabled in YouTube Music. If Error Code 6 still appears, sign out of YouTube Music and sign back in with the same Google account linked to your YouTube Premium subscription.
Why does Error Code 6 appear on my Samsung or Xiaomi phone but not on other devices?
Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, and OPPO devices have particularly aggressive battery management and auto-start restrictions that can block background audio even when battery optimization appears to be disabled. On these devices, you must also find and enable the 'Auto-start' permission for YouTube Music under Settings > Apps > YouTube Music > Battery, or in a dedicated 'Auto-start manager' in the phone's settings.
Can I fix YouTube Music Error Code 6 on an iPhone?
On iPhone, Error Code 6 is almost always a subscription issue rather than a permissions issue. Make sure you are signed into the correct Apple ID or Google account that has YouTube Music Premium active. Also go to Settings > YouTube Music and ensure Background App Refresh is turned on. If the error persists, reinstall the app from the App Store.