Introduction

Watching YouTube videos while working can be a great way to enjoy your favorite content without hampering productivity. While YouTube doesn’t officially support background playback on desktop, several workarounds exist that allow you to easily multitask. This guide explores various methods to keep YouTube running in the background, enhancing both your work and entertainment experience.

how to keep youtube playing in the background on pc

Browser-Based Solutions

One of the simplest ways to keep YouTube playing in the background on your PC is by using your web browser’s built-in capabilities or extensions. Browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge offer features that help achieve this.

  • Google Chrome Extensions for Background Play
    In Chrome, the ‘Picture-in-Picture’ extension offers a straightforward solution:
  • Open the Chrome Web Store.
  • Search and add the ‘Picture-in-Picture’ extension.

  • Play a YouTube video, then click the extension icon to switch to PiP mode, keeping a floating window of your video on top of other applications.

  • Using Mozilla Firefox’s Background Features
    Firefox comes with a default picture-in-picture option:

  • Hover over the YouTube video while it’s playing.

  • Click the ‘Picture-in-Picture’ icon that appears, and watch your video in a resizable window.

  • Microsoft Edge Integrated Solutions
    Edge also supports picture-in-picture mode:

  • While the video plays, right-click twice on it.
  • Select ‘Picture in picture’ to have your video in a small, detachable window.

These browser solutions offer a hassle-free method to keep your YouTube content visible while you continue with other tasks.

Utilizing Built-in Operating System Features

Apart from browser-based solutions, your operating system also provides useful functionalities. Both Windows and macOS have integrated features to facilitate multitasking with ease.

  • Windows Snap Assist and Task View
    Windows users can take advantage of Snap Assist and Task View:
  • Drag your YouTube window to the side or corner until it snaps.

  • Use Task View by pressing Win + Tab to switch efficiently between tasks.

  • macOS Mission Control and Split View
    On macOS, you can efficiently use the following:

  • Activate Mission Control using three fingers swipe up or pressing F3 to see all active applications.
  • Use Split View by holding the green full-screen button to arrange apps side by side, including your YouTube video.

These OS features not only help in multitasking but also allow a smoother workflow as you enjoy your entertainment content.

Third-Party Apps and Software

Sometimes dedicated third-party applications offer more flexibility and features for keeping YouTube playing in the background.

  • Installation and Use of VLC Media Player
    VLC Media Player is a versatile tool for handling media playback without occupying much screen space:
  • Install VLC Media Player from the official site.
  • Copy your YouTube video URL.

  • Go to VLC’s Media > Open Network Stream, paste the URL, and play the video.

  • Exploring Third-Party Multitasking Apps
    Many apps are designed to aid multitasking:

  • YouTube Music Desktop App or similar tools provide a focused experience, allowing easier background playback with minimal effort.

Using these applications can provide control beyond standard browser functions, especially if you’re looking for tailored solutions.

Optimizing Performance for Background Playback

To ensure smooth and continuous playback, optimizing your PC’s performance is crucial. Here are a few key tips:

  1. Managing System Resources
  2. Close unnecessary applications to free up RAM and CPU resources.

  3. Regularly check your task manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to monitor heavy processes.

  4. Keeping Browsers and Software Updated

  5. Update your browser and applications regularly to gain new features and security updates, ensuring optimized performance.

Employing these performance optimization techniques will keep your PC running efficiently, preventing interruptions during background play.

Pros and Cons of Background YouTube Playback

Utilizing background playback features offers various advantages but also includes certain drawbacks. It’s essential to consider both sides.

  • Pros:
  • Enhanced productivity by enabling multitasking.

  • Continuous entertainment and access to educational content.

  • Cons:

  • Possible distractions can lead to reduced focus on work tasks.
  • Increased demand on system resources might slow down older PCs.

Assessing these pros and cons can help you determine how best to integrate YouTube into your workflow.

Conclusion

Being able to keep YouTube playing in the background on your PC is not only convenient but can also lead to a more productive and enjoyable user experience. Whether through browser extensions, OS features, or third-party applications, you now have several options to achieve efficient multitasking. By staying mindful of your system’s performance, you can smoothly incorporate background playback into your daily routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use YouTube Premium for background play on PC?

YouTube Premium allows background play, but its benefits are more significant on mobile devices than PCs.

What if my PC slows down during background play?

Reduce open applications, and check your task manager for high-resource processes to improve performance.

Are there any free tools to keep YouTube playing in the background?

Yes, browsers offer free extensions for picture-in-picture, and VLC Media Player is free for background playback.