Will blocking YouTube on my Linksys Router apply to every device on my network?

Yes — a router-level block applies to every device connected to that Wi-Fi network, including phones, tablets, smart TVs, and game consoles. It does not block YouTube when devices use mobile data (4G/5G) instead of Wi-Fi.

Is it free to block YouTube on Linksys Router?

Yes — blocking YouTube on Linksys Router is completely free. No extra apps or subscriptions required.

Can my child bypass this YouTube block?

Bypass risk is moderate. A persistent teenager may find workarounds — such as using mobile data, a VPN, or a different browser. For best results, combine this with a device-level block and remove the ability to install new apps.

What if my child uses mobile data to get around the router block?

A router block only covers your home Wi-Fi — it has no effect when a device switches to 4G/5G mobile data. To cover mobile data as well, you'll need a device-level block (like Screen Time on iPhone or Family Link on Android) in addition to the router block.

How to Block YouTube on a Linksys Router (2026)

Block YouTube on a Linksys router using Parental Controls and URL filtering. Covers Linksys WRT, EA, and Velop MX models. Free options available. Updated for 2026.

Last updated 11 April 2026·

Difficulty🔨🔨🔨

Free

Bypass risk🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹

What You'll Need

A Linksys router (WRT, EA, or MR/MX Velop series)
A device connected to your Linksys network
About 10–15 minutes

Linksys has two generations of router management:

Classic web admin panel (WRT and older EA series) — accessed at 192.168.1.1 or myrouter.local
Linksys app (newer EA and MX/MR Velop series) — managed through the Linksys app on your phone

Both are covered below.

📡

Velop mesh system?

Linksys Velop (MX/WHW/MR series) is managed through the Linksys app. The web admin panel on Velop is limited. See Part 2 of this guide for the app-based approach.

Part 1: Classic Linksys Web Admin (WRT / EA Series)

Access the Admin Panel

Open a browser and go to 192.168.1.1 or myrouter.local

On a device connected to your Linksys Wi-Fi, open a browser and type 192.168.1.1 or myrouter.local.

Default credentials:

Username: (leave blank)
Password: admin

If you set a custom password during setup, use that. If forgotten, factory reset by holding the Reset button on the router for 10 seconds (wipes all settings).

Block YouTube via Parental Controls (EA Series)

Go to Parental Controls in the Smart Wi-Fi or admin UI

In the main menu: Parental Controls (or Security → Parental Controls). On some EA-series routers in Smart Wi-Fi mode: the parental controls redirect to the Linksys cloud — log in with your Linksys account.

Select a device to restrict

Choose your child's device from the list of connected devices.

Add YouTube to blocked sites

Under Blocked Sites (or Content Restrictions), add:

youtube.com
youtu.be
googlevideo.com

Click Save.

Block YouTube via Access Restrictions (WRT and Older EA Series)

For older routers without a Parental Controls tab, use Access Restrictions:

Go to Restrictions → Internet Access Policy

Applications & Gaming → Port Forwarding — this is not where you want. Instead look for Access Restrictions in the top navigation or left menu.

Create a new policy

Click Add a new policy. Name it (e.g. "Block YouTube"). Select Enabled.

Select devices and block by URL keyword

Click Edit List to add your child's device by MAC address. Then under URL Blocking, add:

youtube
youtu
googlevideo

Click Save Policy.

Part 2: Linksys App (Velop / Newer EA Models)

Linksys Velop and newer smart routers are managed primarily through the Linksys app (iOS and Android, free).

Download and sign in to the Linksys app

Download Linksys from the App Store or Google Play. Sign in with your Linksys account (created during router setup).

Go to Parental Controls

In the app: Menu (hamburger icon) → Parental Controls (or tap the shield icon).

Add a child profile

Tap Create Profile → enter your child's name → add their devices to the profile.

Block specific sites

Within the profile → Block Specific Sites → add:

youtube.com
youtu.be
googlevideo.com

Set daily internet time limits (optional)

Within the profile → Device Usage → set daily limits and a bedtime when internet access is paused. During the pause, all internet access is blocked for devices in that profile.

💡

Some Linksys Parental Control features require Linksys Shield (subscription)

Basic parental controls (blocking specific sites, pausing internet) are free in the Linksys app. Linksys Shield (~$4.99/month) adds content category filtering, more advanced scheduling, and activity reports. The free tier is sufficient for blocking YouTube by URL.

Part 3: DNS Filtering (Works on All Linksys Models)

For reliable, router-wide blocking that doesn't depend on device lists or app subscriptions:

Log into the admin panel at 192.168.1.1

On WRT/EA routers. For Velop, use the Linksys app → Advanced Settings → Internet Settings.

Find DNS settings

Setup → Basic Setup → Static DNS (older WRT). Or Connectivity → Internet Settings (newer EA routers).

Enter CleanBrowsing Family DNS

Static DNS 1: 185.228.168.168
Static DNS 2: 185.228.169.168

Click Save Settings.

Restart the router

Administration → Management → scroll to Reboot Router and click it.

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How Kids Bypass This

Default password is admin: Linksys factory default is blank username / admin password — widely known. Change it immediately: Administration → Management → Router Password.

Linksys app cloud dependency: The Linksys app's Parental Controls require a working cloud connection to linksyssmartwifi.com. If cloud services are down, the app may not function. DNS filtering works locally without any cloud dependency.

Mobile data bypass: Router filtering only covers your home Wi-Fi. Pair with Screen Time (iPhone) or Family Link (Android) for coverage on mobile data.

Velop node firmware updates: A firmware update occasionally resets parental control profiles or changes app behaviour. Check profiles after any update notification.

🔨

Counter-Measures

DNS filtering is the most reliable method on Linksys: The web admin URL blocking (keyword-based) is fairly basic. DNS filtering at the router level is more robust and covers every device — including those not listed in Parental Controls.

Pair with device-level controls: Parental Controls in the Linksys app blocks YouTube at home. Screen Time or Family Link covers your child's device everywhere else.

Lock the admin password and Wi-Fi password: Both admin/admin router access and a simple Wi-Fi password are vulnerabilities. Use a strong router admin password and make sure the admin panel URL isn't bookmarked on your child's device.

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