How to Find Deleted Videos in a YouTube Playlist
A video showing as 'Unavailable' in your playlist could have been deleted by its creator, removed by YouTube, or simply made private. Knowing which scenario applies helps you decide whether to look for a replacement or simply clean it up. This guide explains how to investigate deleted playlist entries and what tools can help.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Identify the 'Unavailable video' entries
Open your YouTube playlist. Any video showing as 'Unavailable video' or 'Private video' has been either deleted, made private, or taken down. The thumbnail is replaced by a dark placeholder with no visible title or channel name.
Copy the video URL to check its status
Right-click on the unavailable entry and open the link in a new tab (the URL is still present even if the video is gone). If YouTube shows a 'This video is unavailable' or 'Video not found' error, the content has been permanently removed.
Search the Wayback Machine or third-party indexes
If you need the original title, search for the video ID (the part after 'v=' in the URL) on web.archive.org or sites like YoutubeTracker. These may have indexed the video before it was deleted.
Scan your full playlist with Wipelist
Connect your YouTube account to Wipelist and open the playlist. Wipelist's hidden video detection feature lists every unavailable entry with its video ID and, where recoverable, its last-known title and channel name — giving you a full picture in seconds.
Scan your playlists for deleted videos
Wipelist's hidden video detection shows you every unavailable, deleted, or private video in your playlists with their IDs so you can investigate and clean up efficiently.
Try Wipelist Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a deleted YouTube video from my playlist?
No. If the uploader deleted the video or YouTube removed it, the content is gone. However, you may find the same content re-uploaded by the creator on their channel or on another platform.
What is the difference between 'Unavailable video' and 'Private video'?
'Private video' means the creator has restricted access and only they can view it. 'Unavailable video' usually means the video has been deleted or is blocked in your region. Both show as placeholders in your playlist.
Does YouTube notify me when a playlist video gets deleted?
No. YouTube does not send notifications when a video in one of your playlists is deleted. You only discover it when you see the placeholder while browsing the playlist.