In short
- RKN started throttling YouTube in July–August 2024.
- Providers apply the throttling through TSPU — equipment in their own networks.
- Formally, YouTube is not blocked in Russia. As of September 2026 the throttling continues.
- The provider cuts speed only to YouTube's servers, so a speed test doesn't show the throttling.
- If only YouTube is slow while other video plays without pauses, the cause is throttling, not your internet.
Why YouTube is slow
In July–August 2024 RKN started throttling YouTube. The throttling runs through TSPU — “technical means of countering threats”. This equipment sits in providers' networks, and subscribers' traffic passes through it. Through TSPU the provider cuts speed specifically to YouTube's servers. Traffic to other websites goes through without limits.
RKN attributes the throttling to the platform's violations of Russian law. Formally, YouTube is not blocked in Russia: the website and app open, but video loads in fits and starts, drops to low quality or doesn't start. As of September 2026 the throttling continues.
Why a speed test doesn't show it
A speed test measures the connection to its own test server. That server has nothing to do with YouTube, and the throttling doesn't touch it. Hundreds of megabits in the test is the real speed of your connection. To YouTube's servers, the provider gives only part of that speed.
How to tell throttling from internet problems
The check takes two minutes:
- Play a video on a different video service.
- Run a speed test.
- Open YouTube on Wi-Fi, then on mobile data.
| Sign | YouTube throttling | Internet problem |
|---|---|---|
| Other video services | Play without pauses | Also slow |
| Speed test | Normal speed | Low or jumping |
| Websites | Open right away | Open slowly |
| Wi-Fi and mobile data | YouTube is slow on both networks | Slow on one network, fine on the other |
If other video plays without pauses, the speed test shows normal speed, and YouTube is slow on both Wi-Fi and mobile data, it's throttling at the provider. Router and phone settings won't fix it.
If it's not just YouTube that's slow
When all video and all websites are slow, the cause is your connection. Check step by step:
- Wi-Fi. Move closer to the router or connect the computer with a cable. Walls and neighbouring networks lower Wi-Fi speed. If the router has a 5 GHz network, connect to it.
- Router. Turn the router off for 30 seconds and turn it back on.
- Evening load. In the evening the provider's network is busier than during the day. If video is slow only in the evening, contact the provider's support.
- App. Update the YouTube app in the App Store or Google Play, and your browser to the latest version.
- Cache. On Android: Settings → Apps → YouTube → Storage → Clear cache. On iPhone, delete the app and install it again. In a browser, clear the cache in settings.
What to do if YouTube is slow
If all video is slow, go through the steps in the previous section. If only YouTube is slow, home settings won't help: the provider is cutting the speed to its servers.
With a VPN, traffic to YouTube goes through a VPN server in another country, past the throttling at the provider. The provider sees an encrypted connection to the VPN server, not to YouTube, and doesn't cut it as YouTube traffic. The VPN server requests the video from YouTube and passes it to you over the encrypted channel.
If the VPN won't connect or video still doesn't load through it, go through the checks in VPN not working: what to check, step by step.
Video with MaskNet
4K and HD video without loading pauses. Channels up to 10 Gbps, and we don't throttle speed — not at peak hours, not at the end of the month.
Frequently asked questions
Why is YouTube slow?
At RKN's request, providers throttle traffic to YouTube's servers through TSPU. The throttling has been in place since July–August 2024. The rest of the internet runs at full speed.
Is YouTube blocked in Russia?
Formally, no. As of September 2026 YouTube is throttled: the website and app open, but video loads in fits and starts. RKN attributes the throttling to the platform's violations of Russian law.
Why won't YouTube load on my phone?
Mobile operators throttle YouTube the same way home providers do. If YouTube is slow on both Wi-Fi and mobile data while other video plays without pauses, it's throttling. If everything is slow, update the app and clear its cache.
Do I need a VPN for YouTube?
If only YouTube is slow, router and phone settings won't help: the provider is cutting the speed to its servers. Through a VPN, traffic goes encrypted to a server in another country, and the provider doesn't cut it as YouTube traffic.
Why is only YouTube slow while other sites work?
Through TSPU, the provider cuts speed only to YouTube's servers. Traffic to other websites and video services goes through without limits.
Why is the speed test normal but video won't load?
A speed test measures the connection to a test server, and that server isn't throttled. The provider limits speed to YouTube's servers separately, and the test doesn't show it.