It’s a feeling we all know too well. You go to watch a favorite video or click an old link, and then you see:
“[Video Unavailable] This video has been deleted by the uploader.”
That sinking feeling is usually followed by two big question: “How to Watch a Deleted YouTube Video” & “Is it gone forever?”
The short answer is yes—once a video is deleted, it’s removed from YouTube’s servers permanently. But the internet is a massive place, and sometimes, digital footprints remain. In this guide, you’ll discover three realistic ways to watch a deleted YouTube video. These methods don’t always work, but they’re absolutely worth trying.
First Things First: You Need the Video Link
Before you do anything else, know this: your chances of recovering a deleted video are much higher if you have the original YouTube video URL. The link is your golden ticket.
Pro Tip: How to Find a Lost YouTube Video Link
Check these places to recover the deleted video’s link:
- Your web browser’s history
- Your “Liked videos” playlist on YouTube
- Old chats, emails, or social media posts
- YouTube watch history (if not cleared)
Even if the title now says “[Deleted Video],” the link still works for searching. Copy the URL—it’s essential.
Method 1: Use the Wayback Machine (Internet Archive)
The most popular method for recovering deleted YouTube videos is using the Wayback Machine from archive.org. This tool captures snapshots of web pages over time, and if you’re lucky, your video’s page was saved before it was deleted.
Steps:
- Copy the deleted video’s URL.
- Visit archive.org.
- Paste the link into the search bar and hit Enter.
- If archived, you’ll see a calendar view. Click a highlighted date.
- The old video page may load—and in some cases, the video may still play.
Note: This only works if the Wayback Machine crawled that YouTube video page before it was deleted. It’s more effective with popular or viral videos.
Method 2: Search on Other Video Platforms
Sometimes, fans save and upload copies of deleted videos to other websites. Your goal is to locate these re-uploads.
Here’s how to search without the original URL:
- Use Google to search for the exact video title, or a detailed description of its content.
- Add specific search filters like:
"video title" site:dailymotion.com"video title" site:vimeo.com
- Explore Reddit, Facebook, or other forums where the video might have been discussed.
- Check YouTube again—some creators re-upload or remix deleted content.
With a bit of digging, you may find the deleted YouTube video reposted somewhere else.
Method 3: If You Deleted Your Own Video by Mistake
If you’re the creator and deleted your own video, there’s a slight chance to recover it—especially if you’re in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
What to do:
- Visit the YouTube Help Center.
- Look for the option to contact Creator Support.
- Provide your video title or URL and explain the situation.
Keep in mind: Recovery is rare. Experts recommend always backing up your videos offline to avoid permanent loss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I watch a video if the entire YouTube channel was deleted?
It’s very difficult. Your best chance is if the video was archived by the Wayback Machine and you still have the direct video URL.
Can I still see the thumbnail of a deleted YouTube video?
Sometimes, yes. If you have the video’s link, you can use a YouTube thumbnail downloader tool to retrieve the thumbnail—if it’s still stored on YouTube’s servers.
Is this the same as deleting my watch history?
No. Deleting your watch history only removes what you’ve viewed from your account for privacy. It doesn’t affect deleted videos, which are removed from YouTube entirely.
Final Thoughts: Act Fast & Keep Backups
Trying to watch a deleted YouTube video is like chasing a digital ghost. Act quickly, and your best bet is using the Wayback Machine with the video’s URL.
For creators: Always keep offline backups of your content.
For viewers: If you love a video, save the link somewhere safe—you never know when it might disappear.
Guide: For your own analysis, you’ll need high-quality images. You can get them instantly with a free tool like the YouTube Thumbnail Downloader.