YT blocked my IP on Freetube but not on other apps/devices?

[ttofano]

So, this discussion started on issue #8349 but is unrelated to that one and I guess this isn't an issue either...

While I understand the situation (YT blocked my IP, nothing Freetube can do, absolutely), I wonder and would like to understand if there is anything at all that I can do.

Thing is, FreeTube throws me the error about IP blocked, but I can watch the same videos on any other app (browser, minitube, etc.) on the same PC or from other devices (tried 3 different androids) on the same network.

How is this possible? Is there anything I can do on my end? (Even if I have to start a battle with my ISP; wouldn't be the first, shouldn't be the last....).

Thanks for the patience in advance.

[Raaawrbear]

I am having the same issue since yesterday, getting an error message that my IP is blocked.

When i switch over to using tor proxy within Freetube it still persist, changing Tor endpoints does not affect it.
However when i go to youtube while not logged in via the Tor browser it does play back video's

So i'm getting a feeling its something Freetube related after all.

[efb4f5ff-1298-471a-8973-3d47447115dc]

When i switch over to using tor proxy within Freetube it still persist, changing Tor endpoints does not affect it.
However when i go to youtube while not logged in via the Tor browser it does play back video's

Please make sure all the test parameters are the same. So use the same tor endpoint (the one you got blocked on within our application) in a private browser window while being logged out of YouTube

[hkpD]

Same here. Changing my VPN to a different location solved it, but still, I faced the same error yesterday.

[efb4f5ff-1298-471a-8973-3d47447115dc]

Changing my VPN to a different location solved

@hkpD

This is indeed the recommended approach please see #8358 (comment) for more info

[willie99999]

having the same problem. I can see the videos again. I also think it's Freetube related, but they don't care.

[Ein-Tim]

When you encounter this problem and attempt to open the video you want to watch in an incognito browser window, you can see that this is indeed not a FreeTube issue but something caused by Googles anti-abuse systems.

[efb4f5ff-1298-471a-8973-3d47447115dc]

but they don't care.

@willie99999 please refrain from making these types of assumptions

[efb4f5ff-1298-471a-8973-3d47447115dc]

Hi @ttofano apologies for the delayed response.

While I understand the situation (YT blocked my IP, nothing Freetube can do, absolutely), I wonder and would like to understand if there is anything at all that I can do.

There is unfortunately nothing you can do about YouTube temporarily banning an IP address. YouTube has countless of parameters and based on that their automated system will make that decision.

Best thing to do in this situation is to try a different server/proxy or a router reset to receive a new address.

Thing is, FreeTube throws me the error about IP blocked, but I can watch the same videos on any other app (browser, minitube, etc.) on the same PC or from other devices (tried 3 different androids) on the same network.

Lets start with the browser part. Next time when you receive the error do the following:

1. Open browser in a private window
2. Go to YouTube
3. Make sure you are not logged in
4. Watch a video
5. Report back what you see on the watch page

Normally when you receive the error you will see the same in a private window in a logged out state. This is what FreeTube emulates. Whenever you use a normal browser window with or without logging in, YouTube often already has sufficient info to know that it shouldn't block you.

Regarding Minitube, i don't know much about it so I'm not sure if its even in the same realm of the type of application we are which is preserving privacy.

I need more info on your Android devices and which applications you are using to watch YouTube on to fill in some more of the gaps

How is this possible?

Different applications use different endpoints. For example lets take the iOS HLS endpoint. When you request playback on a video it will request it as if you are using a device that uses iOS. YouTube doesn't enforce their protections as strict as on other endpoints yet, like the iOS one. Less protection means a higher chance of playback working. The flip side of this is that YouTube is slowly breaking endpoints with weaker protections which mean that those applications must switch to using another endpoints. It will take allot of time, effort and potentially lead to allot of downtime (in regards to users not able to use that application.

That is not a risk we are willing to take

[TheGameOwl11]

Do you have any recommendations for Proxies or anything of the sort? I'm not really sure where to begin with that, and I'm broke as hell.

[efb4f5ff-1298-471a-8973-3d47447115dc]

I have no proxy recommendations. Maybe look into Proton VPN's free plan