{"id":34371,"date":"2025-12-30T04:26:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T12:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=34371"},"modified":"2025-12-31T03:54:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T11:54:23","slug":"youtube-restricted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is YouTube Restricted Mode &amp; How to Turn It Off\/On"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You go on YouTube to search for something, and then you see a message saying, \u201cSome results are hidden because Restricted Mode is turned on.\u201d Why is YouTube restricted, and how do you turn it off?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we\u2019ll cover everything you need to know about YouTube Restricted Mode, including step-by-step guides for turning it off (or on) on all your devices, plus tips on what to do if it won\u2019t turn off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wiy\">What Is YouTube Restricted Mode?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Restricted Mode is a YouTube setting that filters out potentially mature or sensitive content. It hides videos that may contain inappropriate content, and it also automatically hides all comments, regardless of whether the video is flagged as inappropriate or not (in case someone posts something inappropriate in the comment section).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s a safety feature designed for kids, schools, workplaces, and other settings where people want more control over what appears on YouTube. You can also use it to avoid upsetting content or to stay focused while working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-does-youtube-restricted-mode-work\">How Does YouTube Restricted Mode Work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Restricted Mode uses automated filters and machine learning to detect inappropriate or sensitive content. It reviews titles, descriptions, metadata, flags, and video content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a video triggers those filters, YouTube automatically hides it in Restricted Mode. Human review typically only occurs if the decision is appealed. Either way, you won\u2019t see it in Restricted Mode. And if you have a direct link to a flagged video, you\u2019ll get a \u201cThis video is unavailable with Restricted Mode enabled\u201d message when you try to open it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s what the Restricted Mode may hide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Profanity or sexually suggestive language<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Depictions of violence, drug use, or harmful behavior<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Content that promotes hate or discrimination<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pornographic or sexually explicit imagery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Content about sensitive topics, like abuse, mental health, or sexuality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Restricted Mode is off by default. If it\u2019s on and you haven\u2019t enabled it yourself, it means a parent, school, work admin, or network provider turned it on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htt\">How to Turn off YouTube Restricted Mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-on-pc-windows-and-mac\">On PC (Windows and Mac)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These steps show how to turn off Restricted Mode in YouTube using Chrome, but they\u2019re the same in other browsers too:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sign in to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">YouTube<\/a>, click your profile picture in the top-right corner, and then scroll to <em>Restricted Mode<\/em>. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: -5px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Screenshot showing where to find YouTube Restricted Mode settings on a browser\" class=\"wp-image-34414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Toggle Restricted Mode off. YouTube may briefly reload or update to reflect the change.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: -5px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-34-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Screenshot showing how to turn off YouTube Restricted Mode on a browser\" class=\"wp-image-34413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-34-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-34-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-34-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-34-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-34-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-34.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #cfe2f3; padding: 1em; border-radius: 1em;\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the toggle is grayed out and you can\u2019t deactivate the Restricted Mode, it may be locked for the browser you\u2019re currently using. In that case, you\u2019ll see <em>Unlock Restricted Mode on this browser <\/em>under your Restricted Mode settings. Click on it, and you\u2019ll be redirected to a Google Account login page and asked to enter the password for your account to unlock it.<\/p><\/div><p>\n\n\u00a0\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: -5px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Screenshot showing how to turn off YouTube Restricted Mode on a browser\" class=\"wp-image-34412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re still stuck, <a href=\"#wiy\">check below for more tips on bypassing YouTube Restricted Mode<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-on-your-phone-ios-and-android\">On Your Phone (iOS and Android)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Turning off YouTube Restricted Mode on mobile takes a couple of extra taps. The steps are the same for Android and iOS devices.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open the YouTube app and tap your profile icon.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: -5px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-39-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Screenshot showing the profile icon on YouTube\" class=\"wp-image-34419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-39-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-39-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-39-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-39-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-39-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-39.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to <em>Settings<\/em> (gear icon).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: -5px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of the YouTube app highlighting the Settings (gear) icon\" class=\"wp-image-34411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select <em>General<\/em>. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: -5px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Screenshot showing where General settings appear in the YouTube app\" class=\"wp-image-34417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scroll to <em>Restricted Mode<\/em>. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: -5px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-38-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Screenshot showing where to find the Restricted Mode option in YouTube\u2019s General settings on mobile\" class=\"wp-image-34418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-38-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-38-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-38-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-38-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-38-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-38.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Toggle it off. That\u2019s it. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: -5px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of YouTube\u2019s General settings on mobile with Restricted Mode turned off\" class=\"wp-image-34406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-on-your-tv\">On Your TV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On most Smart TVs, you can turn off Restricted Mode through the YouTube app. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open the YouTube app on your TV.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go to the left-hand menu and scroll down to <em>Settings<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select <em>Restricted Mode<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Toggle it to<em> Off<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ytr\">YouTube Restricted Mode Won\u2019t Turn Off? Try This<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re stuck with Restricted Mode, there are several reasons why that may be. Here\u2019s what to check and how to fix it:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-check-if-restricted-mode-is-locked-to-your-browser\">Check If Restricted Mode Is Locked to Your Browser<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes, Restricted Mode is locked at the browser level. Click your profile icon, select Restricted Mode, and see whether there\u2019s an option to \u201cUnlock Restricted Mode on this browser.\u201d If it\u2019s locked, you\u2019ll need to enter the password for the account that set it up to unlock it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-make-sure-you-re-logged-into-the-right-account-nbsp\">Make Sure You\u2019re Logged Into the Right Account\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a device is shared with a child or used for work, it\u2019s easy to stay signed into the wrong account without realizing it. Double-check that you\u2019re logged into your own personal account, not a supervised or work-managed one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-use-incognito-or-private-mode\">Use Incognito or Private Mode<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If Restricted Mode is enforced through browser settings or extensions like <a href=\"https:\/\/support.securly.com\/hc\/en-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Securly<\/a>, opening YouTube in an incognito or private window can sometimes help. These sessions don\u2019t carry over certain local settings or extensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-clear-youtube-and-browser-cache\">Clear YouTube and Browser Cache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cached settings can sometimes prevent changes from taking effect. Clearing your browser\u2019s cache, cookies, and YouTube site data may help. On mobile, clearing the YouTube app\u2019s cache through your device settings can also remove stuck preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-check-parental-controls\">Check Parental Controls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re using an account supervised through Google Family Link, Restricted Mode may be locked by a parent or guardian. In that case, only they can turn it off through the Family Link app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htb\">How to Bypass YouTube Restricted Mode Enabled by Your Network Administrator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you see \u201cTurned on by your network administrator to help hide potentially mature videos\u201d under Restricted Mode settings, the above tips won\u2019t work. This is because the network admin has forced YouTube into Restricted Mode using DNS or network-level controls. Here are a few options that may help, depending on the setup:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-switch-to-another-network\">Switch to Another Network<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If possible, connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile data. This is often the quickest and easiest way around network-level restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-use-a-high-quality-vpn\">Use a High-Quality VPN<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If another network isn\u2019t an option, you can still get around Restricted Mode on the same network with a reliable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/what-is-vpn\">VPN<\/a>. Because VPNs send traffic through their own servers, they may reduce the impact of DNS- or router-level restrictions enforced by the local network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using a private or incognito window alongside a VPN can also help avoid account- or browser-based settings carrying over. That said, some school, university, or workplace networks block VPN connections altogether. These blocks often rely on detecting encrypted traffic or filtering known VPN server addresses.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re on a network that blocks VPN connections, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/what-are-obfuscated-servers\/\">an obfuscated VPN<\/a> (which masks encrypted traffic) can help.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-change-your-dns-settings\">Change Your DNS Settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some networks force Restricted Mode by using DNS resolvers that block or filter content (like Google\u2019s SafeSearch DNS). Switching to a public resolver, such as Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8) may help.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you use PIA, you can also configure your device to <a href=\"https:\/\/helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/46777085837339-Using-PIA-DNS-in-Custom-Configurations\">use PIA DNS<\/a> for added privacy. PIA follows a no-logs VPN, which means it doesn\u2019t store or track your DNS queries and includes built-in DNS leak protection that keeps your requests private while connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-use-the-tor-browser-nbsp\">Use the Tor Browser\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tor routes traffic through its own encrypted network instead of the local one, allowing DNS requests to be resolved outside the restrictive network\u2019s controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That said, I only recommend resorting to Tor if you\u2019re fresh out of options. Its multi-layered protection often causes noticeable slowdowns, and YouTube may also limit certain features when accessed through Tor.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some networks also block access to the Tor network entirely. However, using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/unblock-websites-vpn\/tor-vpn\">a high-quality Tor VPN<\/a> may help if you still want to connect.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hte\">How to Enable and Lock YouTube Restricted Mode\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Activating Restricted Mode is super simple on any device. However, if you don\u2019t want a child (or anyone else) to turn it off, you\u2019ll need to lock Restricted Mode as well.<br><br>Here\u2019s how to do that:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-on-browsers\">On Browsers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Log in to your Google account on YouTube and click your profile icon in the top-right corner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find the Restricted Mode settings and toggle the switch to \u201cOn.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <em>Lock Restricted Mode on this browser<\/em> (appears below the toggle).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: -5px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Instructions on finding the option to lock YouTube Restricted Mode on a browser\" class=\"wp-image-34415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enter your Google account password to confirm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: -5px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-36-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Instructions on entering a Google account password to lock YouTube Restricted Mode on a browser\" class=\"wp-image-34416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-36-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-36-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-36-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-36-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-36-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-36.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #cfe2f3; padding: 1em; border-radius: 1em;\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This will lock Restricted Mode in that browser for all users, even if you log in with another account. However, opening YouTube in incognito mode can easily bypass this lock, so you\u2019ll need to block incognito mode or <a href=\"#sdf\">use DNS filtering<\/a> to prevent that.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-on-mobile-via-family-link\">On Mobile (Via Family Link)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, there isn\u2019t an option to lock Restricted Mode directly from the mobile app. To prevent children from deactivating Restricted Mode on their phone, you\u2019ll need to use parental controls like <a href=\"https:\/\/families.google\/familylink\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Family Link<\/a> (or <a href=\"#sdf\">DNS filtering<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Install Google Family Link on your device and your child\u2019s.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Link your child\u2019s account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the Family Link app, go to <em>Manage Settings &gt; Controls on Google services &gt; YouTube<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enable Restricted Mode. Once set through Family Link, it stays locked and can\u2019t be changed by the child. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-via-google-workspace\">Via Google Workspace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re a Google Workspace admin, you can enforce Restricted Mode for signed-in users in your organization. To do this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open admin.google.com.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go to <em>Menu<\/em> &gt; <em>Apps &gt; Additional Google Services &gt; YouTube.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select <em>YouTube settings<\/em> for your Organizational Unit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under <em>Access Settings<\/em>, choose <em>Strict Restricted Mode<\/em> or <em>Moderate Restricted Mode.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <em>Save <\/em>to apply to users in that organizational unit.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sdf\">Set DNS Filtering<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can configure your network to enforce YouTube\u2019s Restricted Mode using DNS-based controls that direct www.youtube.com to restrict.youtube.com. The best way to do this is via home router firmware (DD-WRT, OpenWRT), network firewalls, and DNS filters like OpenDNS.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The steps vary based on router firmware and brand, but here\u2019s a general guide you can follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Log into your router<\/strong> by typing its IP address into your web browser.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enter your admin username and password.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Go to the DNS settings. <\/strong>You may find these under URL redirection, firewall rules, or parental control section (it varies depending on your router model or firmware). <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Create a redirect rule<\/strong> to point www.youtube.com and youtube.com to restrict.youtube.com.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If your router doesn\u2019t support manual redirects, set up a DNS filtering service<\/strong> like OpenDNS, and configure your network to use their DNS servers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Save your changes,<\/strong> and restart your router. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faq\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767180000492\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is YouTube Restricted Mode, and how does it work?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><a href=\"#wiy\">YouTube Restricted Mode<\/a> is an optional setting that can filter out adult content on the platform. It works by scanning videos and text for potentially mature content and blocking the content if deemed inappropriate.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767180012155\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Why is my YouTube stuck in Restricted Mode?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><a href=\"#ytr\">If YouTube Restricted Mode won\u2019t turn off, there are several possible solutions<\/a>, depending on what the cause is. If your browser\u2019s filter is locked and you have no other restrictions, you can usually unlock it by logging in. If a network admin is forcing Restricted Mode on a network level, you\u2019ll probably need a reliable VPN to get around the restrictions.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767180020186\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I turn off YouTube Restricted Mode on different devices?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Disabling the Restricted Mode is generally easy, and you can find the setting by clicking on your profile icon on YouTube. I\u2019ve created <a href=\"#htt\">step-by-step guides for the most popular devices<\/a>, including TVs.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767180178521\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Why won\u2019t YouTube Restricted Mode turn off even after I disable it?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It\u2019s likely that a network admin has enforced it via DNS filtering or other network-level restrictions. If you\u2019re a kid and your parents are using Family Link, it may be that they\u2019ve enforced it via the app. To <a href=\"#htb\">bypass Restricted Mode activated by your network administrator<\/a>, try switching networks or using a VPN. <br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767180187704\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can network or account settings force YouTube into Restricted Mode?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, YouTube can be forced into Restricted Mode through either network or account settings. For example, you can configure your router\u2019s DNS settings to automatically enable Restricted Mode for all devices connected to your network. On the account level, you can force and <a href=\"#hte\">lock Restricted Mode<\/a> for an account managed by Family Link. <br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767180197344\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I fix YouTube access issues caused by Restricted Mode?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">There are a couple of things you can try to <a href=\"#ytr\">fix Restricted Mode-related issues<\/a>. First, try turning it off in your account settings. If it stays on, check if you\u2019re using a school or work account, and switch to a personal Google account if possible. Clear your browser cache and cookies, and try using incognito mode or a different browser. If you\u2019re on a restricted network, switch to mobile data.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You go on YouTube to search for something, and then you see a message saying, \u201cSome results are hidden because Restricted Mode is turned on.\u201d Why is YouTube restricted, and how do you turn it off? In this article, we\u2019ll cover everything you need to know about YouTube Restricted Mode, including step-by-step guides for turning &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;What Is YouTube Restricted Mode &amp; How to Turn It Off\/On&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":34372,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[845],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>YouTube Restricted Mode: What is It &amp; How to Turn It Off\/On<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here\u2019s everything you need to know about YouTube Restricted Mode, including when you need it and how to disable it.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is YouTube Restricted Mode &amp; How to Turn It Off\/On\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here\u2019s everything you need to know about YouTube Restricted Mode, including when you need it and how to disable it.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PIA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/privateinternetaccess\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-30T12:26:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-31T11:54:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/featured-image-YouTube-Restricted-Mode-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Andjela Nikolic\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Andjela Nikolic\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Andjela Nikolic\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/09ad505b51569fa4172eb6e82cdea471\"},\"headline\":\"What Is YouTube Restricted Mode &amp; 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Coming from a marketing background, she became increasingly aware of how much personal information is harvested online and used by companies and government agencies to track, profile, and influence users. That realization sparked her interest in digital privacy and led her to explore the tools and strategies that give people more control over their data.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/author\/andjela-nikolic\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#faq-question-1767180000492\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#faq-question-1767180000492\",\"name\":\"What is YouTube Restricted Mode, and how does it work?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"#wiy\\\">YouTube Restricted Mode<\/a> is an optional setting that can filter out adult content on the platform. It works by scanning videos and text for potentially mature content and blocking the content if deemed inappropriate.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#faq-question-1767180012155\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#faq-question-1767180012155\",\"name\":\"Why is my YouTube stuck in Restricted Mode?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"#ytr\\\">If YouTube Restricted Mode won't turn off, there are several possible solutions<\/a>, depending on what the cause is. If your browser's filter is locked and you have no other restrictions, you can usually unlock it by logging in. If a network admin is forcing Restricted Mode on a network level, you\u2019ll probably need a reliable VPN to get around the restrictions.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#faq-question-1767180020186\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#faq-question-1767180020186\",\"name\":\"How do I turn off YouTube Restricted Mode on different devices?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Disabling the Restricted Mode is generally easy, and you can find the setting by clicking on your profile icon on YouTube. I\u2019ve created <a href=\\\"#htt\\\">step-by-step guides for the most popular devices<\/a>, including TVs.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#faq-question-1767180178521\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#faq-question-1767180178521\",\"name\":\"Why won\u2019t YouTube Restricted Mode turn off even after I disable it?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It\u2019s likely that a network admin has enforced it via DNS filtering or other network-level restrictions. If you\u2019re a kid and your parents are using Family Link, it may be that they\u2019ve enforced it via the app. To <a href=\\\"#htb\\\">bypass Restricted Mode activated by your network administrator<\/a>, try switching networks or using a VPN. <br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#faq-question-1767180187704\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/youtube-restricted\/#faq-question-1767180187704\",\"name\":\"Can network or account settings force YouTube into Restricted Mode?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, YouTube can be forced into Restricted Mode through either network or account settings. For example, you can configure your router\u2019s DNS settings to automatically enable Restricted Mode for all devices connected to your network. 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