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Browser Issues

Background Colour

Got you, Robyn. YouTube’s theme can be stored per-account (server-side) or per-browser via cookies/local storage. If that storage gets blocked/cleared—or you’re switching Google profiles—it snaps back to light. Here’s a tight fix list that usually nails it:

  1. Set it to “Dark” (not “Use device theme”)

  2. On YouTube, click your avatar → Appearance → pick Dark (explicitly).

  3. Refresh the page. If you switch Google accounts/channels, set it for each one.

  4. Reset YouTube’s site data (cache isn’t enough)

  5. Chrome: YouTube tab → click the lock icon → Site settings → “Delete data”. Or Settings → Privacy & security → Site settings → “View permissions and data stored across sites” → search “youtube” → Remove.

  6. Safari: Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data… → search “youtube” (and “google”) → Remove.

Then go back to YouTube and set Appearance → Dark again.

  1. Make sure nothing auto-clears cookies/site data

  2. Chrome: Settings → Privacy & security → Cookies and other site data → ensure “Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows” is off. In “Customised behaviours”, add [*.]youtube.com and [*.]google.com to “Sites that can always use cookies”.

  3. If you use extensions (uBlock, Privacy Badger, Cookie AutoDelete, etc.), whitelist YouTube so it doesn’t wipe its storage.

  4. Quick isolation test

  5. Open an Incognito (or Safari Private) window with extensions disabled. Sign into YouTube, set Dark.

  6. If it sticks there, an extension or per-site cookie rule in your normal profile is the culprit.

  7. Chrome flags (edge case)

  8. In the address bar: chrome://flags → search “Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents”. Set to Default or Disabled (conflicts can cause odd theme behaviour). Relaunch.

If it’s still reverting after those, tell me your browser (Chrome/Safari/Firefox) and whether you’re signed in or using multiple Google profiles—I’ll tailor exact clicks.

YouTube Dark Theme Won’t Stick

TL;DR

Set Appearance → Dark (not “Use device theme”), clear YouTube site data, and make sure nothing is auto-clearing cookies.

Why this happens

YouTube stores theme per Google profile and in site storage. If cookies/local storage get wiped or you switch profiles, it reverts.

=== "Chrome" - YouTube → avatar → Appearance → Dark - URL bar lock → Site settings → Delete data - Settings → Privacy & security → Cookies → ensure “Clear cookies on close” Off; whitelist youtube.com

=== "Safari" - YouTube → avatar → Appearance → Dark - Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data… → remove youtube.com / google.com

=== "Firefox" - YouTube → avatar → Appearance → Dark - Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Manage Data… → remove youtube.com

Still not sticking?
  • Try a Private/Incognito window with extensions disabled.
  • In Chrome, check chrome://flags → Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents = Default/Disabled.

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