- Fixing the YouTube Shorts feed when you're watching
- Clearing the cache when YouTube Shorts keeps freezing on Android
- YouTube Shorts not working in a web browser
- Your own YouTube Short is not showing up for viewers
- Checking your YouTube Short meets the basics
- Music or audio problems on a YouTube Short upload
- Why a YouTube Short will not upload at all
- Custom thumbnails for YouTube Shorts
- Which YouTube Shorts problem do you have?
- Sending feedback when YouTube Shorts is still not working
- Frequently asked questions
If YouTube Shorts is not working, check your connection, update the YouTube app, close it and reopen it, then restart your device. On Android, clear the app cache. If your own Short isn't visible, check its privacy setting first, because a private Short can't be seen by other viewers.
YouTube Shorts can fail in two quite different ways. Either you're watching and the vertical feed stalls, freezes or throws an error, or you're making Shorts and yours won't upload, won't show or loses its music.
YouTube doesn't publish a single page called Shorts troubleshooting, so I've used its Shorts page, its upload errors page and its general video error pages. Where the advice is general rather than Shorts-specific, I'll say so. Find your situation below and skip to it.
Fixing the YouTube Shorts feed when you're watching
If Shorts won't load or keeps stopping while you scroll, treat it as a playback problem. YouTube's help on video errors lists these checks, and they apply to every kind of video on the platform:
- Restart your internet connection and run a speed test.
- Close the YouTube app and reopen it.
- Update the YouTube app.
- Reboot your phone or tablet.
- Sign in, because signed-out viewers can be blocked from some content.
Shorts load quickly as you swipe, so they're hungry for a steady connection. If you're on mobile data in a weak area, switching to Wi-Fi is a quick test. YouTube's mobile help says to switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data and replay.
Clearing the cache when YouTube Shorts keeps freezing on Android
On an Android phone, YouTube's steps for buffering and loading problems include clearing the app's cache:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps or Applications.
- Tap YouTube.
- Tap Storage, then Clear cache.
- Open YouTube and swipe back into Shorts.
On an iPhone the equivalent is offloading and reinstalling YouTube from iPhone Storage in Settings, General.
YouTube Shorts not working in a web browser
On a computer, the cause is usually the browser. YouTube's page lists an outdated browser, corrupted cache or cookies, and ad blockers or other extensions. Update the browser, clear cache and cookies, then test in an incognito window with extensions turned off.
If Shorts works there, an extension is interfering. Turn them back on one at a time until you spot the one responsible.
Your own YouTube Short is not showing up for viewers
This is the creator side, and it's the one that worries people most. YouTube's Shorts page lists where Shorts appear: the Shorts tab in the app, search results, the YouTube homepage, your channel homepage, the feeds of channels people follow, and notifications. Check these before you assume it's broken.
Start with privacy. YouTube says the default privacy for creators aged 13 to 17 is private, and for creators 18 or older it's public. A Short set to private won't be visible to other viewers. Open the Short's settings and look at visibility first.
Be patient too. A brand-new Short may not appear everywhere at once, and the page doesn't promise a specific time. If your numbers look stuck rather than your video, my guide on a Shorts view count stuck at zero covers that separate issue.
Checking your YouTube Short meets the basics
A Short that was created outside the Shorts tools might not behave like one. YouTube's Shorts page states what a Short is:
- A vertical video.
- Up to 3 minutes long.
- A maximum resolution of 1080p.
In the app, tap Create and select Short, record or upload, tap Next to add a title and settings, then tap Upload Short. You can also save a draft for later. If you uploaded from a computer, make sure the file is vertical and within the length limit.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Music or audio problems on a YouTube Short upload
YouTube's page on common uploading errors flags a Shorts-specific problem. Channels uploading for commercial purposes may get errors when a Short uses Shorts Audio Library sounds, because of music licensing limits. That's easy to hit if your channel represents a business.
YouTube's options are to reupload the Short without the library music, to reupload it and add music outside the Shorts tools only after clearing rights with the copyright owner, or to reupload it with royalty-free music. Tracks from the YouTube Audio Library have green album art and the YouTube logo.
Why a YouTube Short will not upload at all
Standard upload errors apply to Shorts as well. YouTube's list includes a daily upload limit, where you can upload more videos in 24 hours, a file that's too small, a security error caused by firewall or antivirus software, and a channel status that doesn't support uploads. If you see a message, match it to YouTube's list rather than guessing. My guide to getting a video onto YouTube shows the standard route.
Custom thumbnails for YouTube Shorts
A small but common confusion: you can't add a custom Shorts thumbnail in the phone app. YouTube says custom Shorts thumbnails can only be added in YouTube Studio on a computer, and your account must be verified. If you can't find the option on your phone, that's why.
Which YouTube Shorts problem do you have?
| Problem | Best first step |
|---|---|
| Feed stalls while scrolling | Check connection, update the app, restart |
| Shorts freeze on Android | Clear the YouTube app cache |
| Browser Shorts glitch | Update browser, clear cache, test incognito |
| Your Short isn't visible | Check privacy, then where Shorts appear |
| Upload gives a music error | Reupload with royalty-free or cleared music |
| No thumbnail option on phone | Use YouTube Studio on a computer |
Sending feedback when YouTube Shorts is still not working
If the feed misbehaves after all of this, report it from the app: tap your profile icon, then Help and Feedback, then Send Feedback. Do it straight after the fault so the report catches it.
For the rest of the series, see the YouTube Help: 30 Guides to Channels, Subscribers, Monetisation, Thumbnails and Fixes.
Frequently asked questions
Why is YouTube Shorts not working on my phone?
YouTube's general help points to your connection, an outdated app, a cache fault or a device that needs a restart. Update, restart and clear the cache on Android.
Why can't people see my YouTube Short?
Check privacy first. YouTube says a Short set to private won't be visible to other viewers.
How long can a YouTube Short be?
YouTube's Shorts page says a Short can be up to 3 minutes long, with a maximum resolution of 1080p.
Why does my Short have a music error?
YouTube says channels uploading for commercial purposes may get errors with Shorts Audio Library sounds because of music licensing limits.
Can I add a custom thumbnail to a Short on my phone?
No. YouTube says custom Shorts thumbnails can only be added in YouTube Studio on a computer.
