Stream YouTube Video Using VLC - Here's How!

With the VLC Player, a wide variety of media can be played on the Apple Mac, Windows PC, Linux, iOS and Android. Not only audio and video files are included, but also disc images, FLAC audios and network content. The latter include z. B. YouTube videos. You can find out how to stream a YouTube video with VLC in this guide for macOS on Mac and Windows on PC.

Play YouTube video in VLC player on Mac

An important note in advance: previous problems playing YouTube videos in VLC Player should be avoided with the Update to version 3.0.12 or 3.0.12.1 be resolved. Then it is very easy to play a YouTube video without advertising in the program window and in full screen. Here are the instructions:

1. Open the VLC player on the Apple Mac
2. Click on "File" in the menu bar
3. Select "Open network ..." in the drop-down menu
4. Insert the YouTube link in the text field next to "URL"
5. Click on "Open" and watch the video

Play YouTube video in VLC player on Windows

An update to the latest version of the player is also recommended under Windows. You can read how to do this in the post linked above. Then you can also play YouTube videos in the VLC player on your PC without any errors. This is also quite easy:

1. Open the VLC player on the Windows PC
2. Click on the "Media" menu in the program window
3. Select "Open network stream ..." in the drop-down menu
4. Insert the YouTube link in the text field
5. Click on "Playback" and watch the video

Advantage: Watch YouTube videos without ads using VLC Player

Not only do you save yourself a browser window or a tab in the open web browser with the procedure described above. This also saves you the commercials before, after and in the middle of the video. In addition, audio and video functions can be used to adapt the playback. This results in far more options for video enjoyment than with the regular playback of the content on the YouTube website. Have fun watching ;)

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.