YouTube video stuttering / dropped frames

[PeteOSuch]

Checklist

• I am able to reproduce the bug with the latest version.
• I am not able to reproduce the bug with the latest version of vanilla NewPipe.
• I made sure that there are no existing issues - open or closed - which I could contribute my information to.
• I have read the FAQ and my problem isn't listed.
• I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the bug report will be dismissed otherwise.
• This issue contains only one bug.
• I have read and understood the vanilla NewPipe contribution guidelines.

Affected version

0.28.0

Steps to reproduce the bug

1. Load a YouTube video like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSfWdSgqmy8
2. Play the video in portrait mode.
3. Switch from portrait to landscape and fullscreen.

Expected behavior

Video should play at full frame rate.

Actual behavior

Video intermittently drops down to maybe 5 frames per second. It will go back and forth between smooth playback and the stuttering 5 FPS. Rotating the screen seems to temporarily return smooth play. The same video on the same device plays completely smoothly in vanilla NewPipe. Audio seems unaffected.

Some videos play perfectly, others bounce back and forth many times. I've confirmed the stutter has happened on 60 FPS videos, I don't know about other frame rates.

This seemed to start a few days ago, maybe after applying the Android 16 December 5 update.

No alerts or error reports from the app seem to be associated with this.

Screenshots/Recordings

NA

Logs

NA

Affected Android/Custom ROM version

Android 16 with the December 5 update

Affected device model

Pixel 7 Pro

Additional information

Some stuttering periods seem to begin with cuts in the videos, making me wonder if key frames can start the stutter.

And, to be clear, several videos have exhibited this problem. The provided video is just an example.

[dangarciahe]

Something similar happens to me, but I cannot reproduce it with your steps, nor any way I know so far; it appears to happen randomly.

This happens on my Pixel 7A, running GrapheneOS 2025121200 and GrapheneOS 2025121700 (2 latest updates). Tubular is v0.28.0 as well.

I found a report of something similar on GrapheneOS's forums. Maybe this is related to some specific Pixel bug?

Some stuttering periods seem to begin with cuts in the videos, making me wonder if key frames can start the stutter.

In my tests that's not the case. They happen to me, no matter if there's any cut. Also, going back 10 seconds in the video and re-reproducing the stuttered part did not reproduce the bug, suggesting is not something inherent to that part of the video itself.

Finally, I think this is not happening with live videos.

[ElucGeek]

Same issue on Pixel 7 GrapheneOS. Other video apps are not affected (VLC, Jellyfin, YouTube in browser...).
If I lower the resolution from 1080p to 720p reduce the problem with less visible lag (FPS don't drop as low or not for as long) but it's still doing it.
It has nothing to do with landscape and portrait switch, happen when I play directly in landscape without turning during playback.

[xxkamaz]

can confirm, this same thing happens to me too on pixel 7a grapheneos build 2025122500. vanilla newpipe has no such issue

upd. sorry, turns out the issue persists on vanilla newpipe for me after all

[asandikci]

both devices are pixel, interesting... Have you ever changed any exoplayer settings? If yes, which one(s)? If no, could you please try changing any exoplayer settings and let us know a working settings combination in pixels?

(and is this problem still occur with 28.2?)

[PeteOSuch]

I still got the stutter after the upgrade to 28.2.

I've never changed any of the ExoPlayer settings before, but I'll give a shot. Disabling media tunneling looks most relevant, so I'll try that.

[PeteOSuch]

I disabled media tunneling but still got the intermittent ~5 FPS playback, on 28.2. Plus, it seems that using media tunneling blocks the app from jumping to the right start time when using links with embedded time offsets.

[Jorge-tin]

Look at my post in Newpipe Github for the workaround: TeamNewPipe/NewPipe#13062 (comment)