It has been several weeks since we first reported that YouTube had abruptly stopped working on Vitron Smart TVs, leaving users staring at “Not Supported” error messages. After weeks of silence and confusion, Vitron Kenya’s leadership has finally addressed the situation. However, the company’s explanation and their proposed solution might not be what frustrated customers want to hear.
In a recent video statement shared on TikTok, Vitron Kenya’s boss clarified the scope of the problem while subtly suggesting that the ultimate fix might just be purchasing a new television.
The “old TV” problem
According to the Vitron executive, the YouTube outage is specifically affecting TV models that are 2 to 3 years old. He was keen to note that the company’s newest models are completely unaffected by the blackout.
While the executive utilized comforting PR rhetoric—stating that Vitron doesn’t believe “being out of warranty means out of case” and claiming the company “won’t give up” on older units—the subtext of the message was clear. The emphasis on the new models functioning correctly serves as a tacit recommendation: if you want a seamless YouTube experience, it’s time to upgrade to the latest Vitron hardware.
This pivot is further highlighted by a significant hardware shift. We have observed that, unlike the older models running Android forks, some of Vitron’s latest units are now powered by LG’s WebOS. This suggests a quiet admission that their previous software platform was unsustainable, with the company now relying on established ecosystems to avoid these exact compatibility pitfalls.
A “fix” that raises more questions
When this issue first surfaced in October, Vitron claimed to have rolled out a software update to resolve it. As we noted then, this claim was technically perplexing. On certified Android TV devices, YouTube updates are handled directly by Google via the Play Store, not by the TV manufacturer via firmware.
Vitron’s claim of rolling out a fix implies they were likely relying on a sideloaded or “cracked” version of the YouTube app hardcoded into their system updates, rather than the official API-compliant version. The fact that the issue persists today suggests that either the October fix never materialized, or Google’s server-side checks quickly rendered it useless.
The new workaround is just a web browser in disguise
Acknowledging that the issue persists, Vitron has released a new tutorial video detailing a complex workaround to get YouTube running on these legacy devices. It is less of a “fix” and more of a “hack” that forces users to access YouTube via a web browser rather than a native app.
For those willing to try, here is the process Vitron is prescribing:
- Factory reset: You must wipe the TV entirely. When prompted for a password, enter ‘0000’.
- “Upgrade” the app: Once reset, click the YouTube icon on the home screen. You will be prompted to “upgrade” to a version with the fix.
- Install the browser: A warning will appear stating you need to install a browser to watch YouTube. Proceed with the installation (this may take several minutes).
- Select the right app: Once installed, do not open the standard YouTube app. Instead, look for and select ‘YouTube TV’.
Vitron claims that going forward, the dedicated YouTube button on the remote should map to this new browser-based instance.
Does it actually work?
Early user reports are mixed at best. Comments on Vitron’s own TikTok tutorial suggest that this factory reset loop does not resolve the problem. Furthermore, forcing users to view YouTube through a web browser interface on a TV processor often results in a sluggish, subpar experience compared to a native application.
It is a messy situation that highlights the risks of purchasing budget smart TVs that lack proper Google certification. By operating on Android forks, these devices are always one server-side update away from obsolescence.
We have reached out to Vitron Kenya for further clarity on the timeline for a permanent fix and whether they intend to offer hardware trade-ins for users stuck with these “obsolete” 2 to 3 year-old TVs. We will update this article if we hear back.
