How To Play A YouTube Playlist In VLC Tutorial Guide

VLC Media Player is a versatile tool that can handle a wide range of media files, but by default, it does not support playing YouTube playlists directly. However, with a simple addon and some configuration, you can enjoy YouTube playlists in VLC without the need for a web browser.

Downloading and Installing the YouTube Playlist Addon

To play YouTube playlists in VLC, you need to download and install a specific addon. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Download the Addon: You need to download the YouTube playlist addon file, which typically has a .lua file extension. You can find this file from various sources, but ensure it is compatible with the latest version of VLC.

2. Locate the VLC Playlist Folder: Move the downloaded addon file to the VLC playlist folder. The location of this folder varies depending on your operating system:

   • Windows (all users): C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist
   • Windows (current user): %APPDATA%\vlc\lua\playlist
   • Linux (all users): /usr/lib/vlc/lua/playlist/
   • Linux (current user): ~/.local/share/vlc/lua/playlist/
   • macOS (all users): /Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/share/lua/playlist/
     If the directory does not exist, create it.

3. Install the Addon: Once the file is in place, open VLC and go to Tools -> Plugins and extensions. You should see that the addon has been successfully installed. If not, double-check the folder where it is placed.

Adding and Playing the YouTube Playlist

After installing the addon, you can start playing YouTube playlists in VLC:

1. Open VLC and Access the Network Stream: Press Ctrl + N (or Cmd + N on macOS) to open the Network Stream window. This window will ask you for a URL.

2. Enter the YouTube Playlist URL: Copy the URL of the YouTube playlist you want to play. Ensure the URL contains &list= followed by random letters and numbers. Paste this URL into the Network Stream window and click Play.

3. VLC Populates the Playlist: VLC will automatically populate your playlist with the videos from the YouTube playlist. You can now play, pause, and navigate through the playlist as you would with any other media file in VLC.

Benefits of Playing YouTube Playlists in VLC

Playing YouTube playlists in VLC offers several benefits:

• No Ads: One of the most significant advantages is that you won't see any advertisements while playing the videos in VLC, making for a more seamless viewing experience.

• Background Playback: You can minimize VLC and continue listening to the audio without needing to keep the YouTube page open in your browser.

• Offline Issues: Note that VLC streams the videos rather than downloading them, so you need to stay online for the playlist to continue playing. If you go offline, VLC will throw errors indicating it cannot find the URL of each video.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues with the addon, here are a few troubleshooting steps:

• Check the Addon Installation: Ensure the addon file is correctly placed in the VLC playlist folder. If the folder does not exist, create it and try again.

• Update VLC: Make sure you are using the latest version of VLC. You can check for updates by going to Help -> Check for Updates.

By following these steps, you can easily play YouTube playlists in VLC Media Player, enhancing your media playback experience with added convenience and fewer distractions.