@Zatch
A) Do not sign in to the Google eco-system.
B) Use a Brave Browser Private Window
C) Clear Cookies; fully Exit/Quit BB; start BB
D) Allow all but 3rd Party Cookies.
E) Allow JavaScript for the site.
Find a YouTube page that is basic - simple, has an image that does not change, or only changes a few times, in the YouTube “video” window. Find a few of such pages.
F) Pick one of those simple pages for BB to go to. If that fails
G) Pick another.
H) Repeat steps F, G . . . patiently. You might Exit/Quit BB and try again.
In general, takes patience before YouTube becomes familiar with your computing device . . . and then YouTube finally stops resisting your efforts to simply view videos.
I have the benefit of a VPN connection, and I have to change that VPN connection (to different servers of the VPN service) - once, twice, maybe more on some days. But eventually, I can watch some YouTube videos.
Re the ads, I rely on what Brave team member @fanboynz can do. He knows well, “it is a running battle.”
Direct access to BB Settings > Site details for YouTube; for each, set JavaScript to Allow
:
brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutube.com
brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com
brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fgoogle.com
brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fgooglevideo.com
brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fgstatic.com
brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fgoogleapis.com
brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com
brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fmaps.google.com
brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fytimg.com
After making those BB settings, Exit/Quit BB completely, again. Then start and try, again to get YouTube going; be determined.
Again, I find that connecting and finally getting YouTube running, takes patience.
If you demand “You Click, You Get” ← then try another Internet browser. I use 5 different Internet browsers, for their relative strengths.
PS. I would not install any extension for ad-blocking ← again, relying upon @fanboynz .
PPS. Good luck, Sunday.