Twitch has rapidly grown in popularity in recent years. Despite increased competition, it proudly remains the most popular gaming-oriented broadcasting platform.
Thousands of new users visit Twitch for the first time or return to the site every day. Unfortunately, some of those returning users might have to deal with the “Unable to change username” issue, a common error known amongst members of the Twitch community.
Although this isn’t a serious problem, it can be frustrating to experience when you want a new username without having to create a new account.
If you’re currently facing the above-described error and cannot change your Twitch username, keep on reading as the guide below has multiple methods to help you deal with the problem.
Let’s begin!
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Common Reasons Why Twitch Doesn’t Allow You To Change Your Username
It can be frustrating to encounter difficulties when trying to change your Twitch username. There a several reasons that this might occur. Here’s a nifty roundup of the most common reasons why you can’t change:
- You recently changed your Twitch username and have to wait two months (sixty days) to change it again.
- Another Twitch member already has the username you’re trying to set, so you have to wait for it to be freed up before you can claim it.
- Your intended username violates Twitch’s terms of service, infringes on specific registered trademarks, or contains forbidden words.
If none of these apply, you might be worried that a bug is preventing you from changing your Twitch username. We have a solution that might help you overcome the problem!
Before continuing, consider reading this article from Twitch on everything related to usernames. It contains a lot of useful information.
The “Twitch Username Greyed Out” Problem & How To Fix It
Many Twitch users have previously reported a strange problem when trying to change their usernames.
In this Reddit thread, a Twitch user attempting to confirm a username change instead kept refreshing the page in their browser. Their username was also “greyed out,” even though there was no apparent reason for this to happen.
Twitch users thought this was a platform glitch, and it has been acknowledged as such since then.
If you are among the users affected by this bug, there’s no need to panic. Read on for a possible solution to your problem.
Method 1: Clear Your Browser Cookies And Cache
This method helped many Twitch users overcome the “greyed out” bug. It is a reasonable first method to try as it’s quite simple and can be accomplished quickly.
Here’s how to clear your browser cookies and cache on Chrome:
- Open Chrome on your PC.
- Go to the “Settings” section.
- Click on “Clear browsing data.”
- Select “All time” in the Advanced tab and confirm the action.
You have now successfully cleared your browsing data and cookies!
Now you should return to Twitch and try changing your username again. If you’re lucky, it will have fixed the problem. If not, try the other methods below.
Method 2: Use Incognito Mode On Chrome
This might seem like an unlikely solution, but it has helped many users overcome the issue! This is because your saved settings on Chrome aren’t the same in a normal window and an incognito window.
Visiting Twitch in incognito mode may be the simple solution you’re looking for, as many users have reported it helping them.
Method 3: Use A Different Browser
Occasionally, the problem may be associated with Chrome itself. Trying another browser could resolve the issue. If the only problem you have is changing your username, you can go back to using Chrome once you have successfully modified it.
If you are not certain which browser to choose for Twitch, we offer a useful guide that explains all about the suggested browsers for this platform.
Method 4: Clear Your DNS Resolver Cache And Restart Your Router
Some connection problems can cause Twitch to misbehave. This likely happens due to cached information, which upon clearing, should no longer be the case.
Here’s a method that often helps users solve various Twitch issues. It includes flushing your DNS Resolver cache and restarting your router.
Sounds daunting at first? Worry not, just follow the steps below and you’ll get it done in no time.
- Press Windows + S simultaneously on your keyboard. In the search field that opened, type in Command Prompt, then right-click the first result and click Run as Administrator.
- Within the Command Prompt window, type in: “ipconfig /flushdns” and then press Enter on your keyboard to initialize the command. You will get a returning message saying that the DNS Resolver Cache is successfully flushed, as shown in the image below.
Now we recommend restarting your router. To do this, press the power button which is usually located at its backside, and wait for a few minutes. Then, power on the router, and when the connection is restored, load up Twitch and see if the issue persists.
The problem should now be solved.
Things To Consider When Changing Your Twitch Username
Changing your Twitch username will usually be a matter of personal preference. Perhaps you’re no longer a fan of the inspiration for your name, or you feel like a fresh start. There are also a few things you should keep in mind, especially if you are already well-established on the platform.
If You Make A Typo, You Will Have To Wait 60 Days To Correct It
Verify everything before pressing the “confirm” button when altering your Twitch username. You don’t want to be one of the users who makes a typo and then has to live with that username for the next two months.
Twitch support might not help with this, so it’s far more sensible and time-efficient to simply double-check before confirming the change!
You Need To Manually Change Your Twitch URL After Changing Your Username
If you change your Twitch username, your existing URL will no longer redirect viewers to your channel.
For example, if your old URL was https://www.twitch.tv/PCStrike and the new one is https://www.twitch.tv/PCStrike123, clicking on an existing bookmark or typing the old URL will direct users to the “Sorry. Unless you’ve got a time machine, that content is unavailable” message.
If you already have your Twitch account linked on social media platforms, or Steam, for example, you’ll need to manually update it upon making the change. Otherwise, you risk losing some viewers as they’ll be trying to access your channel via a link that no longer works.
Remember: If you are already an established streamer, it’s best to inform your fans and followers of this change, otherwise, they won’t be able to find your stream! The last thing you want is to lose viewers due to something as minor as a username change.
Your Old Username Will Not Be Recycled
It’s also worth mentioning that your old Twitch username will not be recycled. Nobody will be able to claim your old username in an attempt to take your fans or impersonate you.
Adjusting usernames should have minimal or no influence on your revenue. You might encounter a slight delay in ad revenue from viewers utilizing Xbox and PlayStation consoles, but typically only on the day that the adjustment takes effect.
This only applies to users who are partnered with Twitch.
Conclusion
Changing your Twitch username isn’t always as straightforward as it should be. This is often due to the well-known username bug on the platform!
However, this guide provides multiple possible solutions to fix the problem quickly and efficiently.
It’s worth noting that Twitch’s username policy is “first come, first served,” meaning someone else can claim your idea for a new name before you have a chance. Don’t let the cat out of the bag publicly, especially if you are already a popular streamer!
