---
title: 'Recover a Hacked Channel'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=8m-KOxaaBvU'
video_id: '8m-KOxaaBvU'
date: 2026-08-01
duration_sec: 233
---

# Recover a Hacked Channel

> Source: [Recover a Hacked Channel](https://youtube.com/watch?v=8m-KOxaaBvU)

## Summary

This official YouTube Help video walks creators through the exact steps to take when they suspect their channel has been hacked. It covers how to spot compromise, secure the associated Google Account, clean up unauthorized changes, and prevent future attacks.

### Key Points

- **Warning signs of a hacked channel** [00:12] — Look for unauthorized changes to your profile picture, channel name, descriptions, or email settings; videos you didn't upload; unusual messages from your email; or changes to your AdSense for YouTube account.
- **Channel hacks are Google Account hacks** [00:28] — Every YouTube channel is linked to a Google Account. If your channel is hacked, it almost always means an associated Google Account has been compromised too.
- **Use the hacked channel assistant** [00:44] — Start a chat with the hacked channel assistant in the 'Recover a hacked YouTube channel' help center article for personalized, step-by-step guidance.
- **Secure your Google Account** [00:58] — Immediately change your password to a new, strong one. Visit myaccount.google.com/security, remove unrecognized devices, and verify 2-Step Verification, passkey, and recovery settings.
- **Recovering if you can't sign in** [01:14] — Go to g.co/recover and enter your email. For best results, use a familiar device, browser, and location. Answer verification questions—guesses are better than blanks and won't lock you out.
- **Reset password and manage access** [01:44] — After recovery, reset your password and enable a passkey. Tell Channel Managers and Editors to secure their own accounts, and revoke their access until confirmed safe.
- **Clean up your channel** [02:12] — In YouTube Studio under Settings > Permissions, remove unrecognized users. Delete unauthorized videos to avoid strikes, check video privacy settings, and undo any channel name, banner, or description changes.
- **Appeal if channel was terminated** [02:58] — If the hacker caused a termination, don't panic. After recovering your Google Account, check your email for a notification from YouTube explaining the compromise and how to appeal the termination.
- **Prevent future hacking** [03:16] — Scan for malware with antivirus software or Chrome's Enhanced Safe Browsing. Ensure strong passwords, enable 2-Step Verification, add recovery options, and regularly review channel permissions.

### Conclusion

Recovering a hacked YouTube channel starts and ends with your Google Account. Act fast to secure it, clean up any unauthorized changes, and strengthen your security practices to avoid future hijacks.

## Transcript

As a Creator, you invest a lot of time into  your content and channel, and we know it can   be a stressful situation when your channel  is hacked. In this video, we'll walk through   actions you can take if you suspect your YouTube  channel has been hacked. So how do you know if  
your channel might be compromised? Some potential  warning signs include: Changes you or others who   access to your channel didn't make: This includes  your profile picture, channel name, descriptions,   or email settings. Videos uploaded that aren't  yours. Unusual messages sent from your email  
account. Or changes to your AdSense for YouTube  account. Remember, every YouTube channel is linked   to a Google Account. If your channel is hacked,  it almost always means that one of the associated   Google Accounts has been compromised too. So now,  let’s walk through how to recover your channel.  
The best way to get personalized, step-by-step  help is to start a chat with our hacked channel   assistant in the “Recover a hacked YouTube  channel” help center article. The chat   assistant will walk through these steps to help  you recover your channel. The first step is to  
secure your Google Account. If you can still  sign into your Google Account, you’ll need to   secure it. Immediately change your password to  a new, strong one you haven't used before. Then,   head to myaccount.google.com/security. Under  ‘Devices’ remove any unrecognized sign-in devices.  
You should also verify 2 step-verification,  passkey, and recovery settings to make sure   the hacker hasn’t made edits. If you can’t sign  in to your Google account, head to g.co/recover   and enter the email address associated with  your channel. For the best chance of success,  
try doing this from a computer, phone, or tablet  you frequently use, on the same browser, and from   a location where you usually sign in, like home  or work. You'll be asked to verify it's really   you – things like your last password or recovery  info. Try not to skip these questions; a best  
guess is better than no information. And don't  worry, wrong guesses won't lock you out of the   recovery process. Once you recover your account,  you'll be prompted to reset your password. You   should also enable a Passkey. And, if other people  help manage your channel, like Channel Managers  
or Editors, let them know that they also need to  secure their own Google Accounts following these   same steps. We also recommend revoking access  until you’re sure their accounts are secured.   A compromised manager account can also lead to  your channel being hacked. With your channel now  
secured, the next step is to immediately clean up  your channel to revert any changes the hacker may   have made. Double Check Channel Permissions: Head  to YouTube Studio, then settings, then permissions   to see who has access to manage your channel.  Remove anyone you don't recognize or who shouldn't  
have access anymore. Delete Unauthorized Videos:  Delete any videos the hacker uploaded. This helps   avoid potential Community Guidelines strikes  or copyright strikes against your channel for   content you didn't post. Review Video Privacy  Settings: Make sure the hacker hasn't made any  
of your private or unlisted videos public. Undo  Channel Changes: Check your channel name, banner,   profile picture, descriptions, and links and undo  any changes the hacker made. If your channel was   terminated because of the hacker's actions, don't  panic. Once you've recovered your Google Account,  
check your email. You should find a notification  from YouTube with details explaining that your   channel was compromised, and how to appeal the  termination. Once your channel is back in your   from being hacked again. Scan for malware using  antivirus software or ‘Enhanced Safe Browsing’  
on Google Chrome. Make sure you and anyone with  access to your channel have strong passwords and   2-Step Verification enabled. Add account recovery  options, like a recovery email or phone number.   And regularly review your channel permissions and  remove anyone who doesn’t need access anymore. 
For more info on channel security best practices,  check out our “Prevent Hijacking” video linked   to creating incredible content. If you need  more help or want more info on how to protect  
your channel against hijacking, check out the  links in the description. Thanks for watching!