Why YouTube Shorts Aren’t Working: Fixing Common Issues

YouTube Shorts are quick, fun, and perfect for when you want to watch something entertaining without committing to a full-length video. But sometimes, the Shorts experience can be a bit frustrating when things don’t work right. Maybe your YouTube Shorts won’t play, or they’re not showing up on your phone, or worse, and there’s no sound. If you’ve been struggling with YouTube Shorts not working, you’re coming to the right place.

In this guide, we will explain why YouTube Shorts might not be working, along with some simple and effective solutions that have worked.

GUIDE LIST

Part 1. Why YouTube Shorts Aren’t Working

Part 2. Common Issues and Solutions to Fix YouTube Shorts Not Working

Part 3. How to Fix a Downloaded YouTube Video Not Playing

Part 1. Why YouTube Shorts Aren’t Working

Before we dive into the fixes, it’s important to understand why YouTube Shorts might stop working. After all, understanding the root cause can make troubleshooting easier.When YouTube Shorts isn’t working, it could be due to a variety of issues, including:

• Internet connectivity problems: If you have a weak connection, YouTube Shorts may struggle to load.
• Outdated app version: If your YouTube app is out of date, it might not support all features, including Shorts.
• Cache or app data issues: Sometimes, the app’s cache can cause problems, especially if it's corrupted or too full.
• Device compatibility: Not all devices work smoothly with YouTube Shorts, particularly older versions of operating systems.
• YouTube server issues: Occasionally, YouTube itself might be experiencing downtime, which can affect how Shorts appear or play.

Now that we’ve covered some of the main reasons YouTube Shorts might not be working, let’s explore the specific issues people face and, more importantly, how to fix them.

Part 2. Common Issues and Solutions to Fix YouTube Shorts Not Working

YouTube Shorts Not Playing on PC

One of the most common issues is YouTube Shorts not playing on a PC. If you’ve tried to watch Shorts on your laptop or desktop and nothing happens, it’s super annoying, right? Here's what might be going wrong:

• Browser issues: Sometimes, the browser you're using could be the issue. Older versions of browsers might not support YouTube Shorts properly.
• Extensions or plugins: Certain browser extensions (like ad blockers or privacy tools) can interfere with YouTube’s functionality.
• Outdated graphics drivers: If your PC’s graphics drivers are outdated, YouTube Shorts might not display or play correctly.

Solution for YouTube Shorts not playing on PC:

1. Update your browser: Keep your browser current. YouTube Shorts works with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but they must be on the latest version.

2. Disable browser extensions: Try turning off any extensions (especially ad blockers) and see if that helps. You can test this by opening YouTube in ‘Incognito’ mode, which turns off extensions by default.

3. Update your graphics drivers: Go to your computer’s device manager and check if your graphics drivers need updating. Outdated drivers can cause video playback issues on YouTube.

YouTube Shorts Not Showing on iPhone.

It’s super frustrating when YouTube Shorts just won’t show up on your iPhone, especially when your friends are watching them without any issues. Here’s why this might be happening:

• App issues: Sometimes the app itself might have glitches that prevent Shorts from showing up.
• Network settings: Your iPhone's network settings could be interfering with the way YouTube loads content.
• Outdated app: If you haven't updated the YouTube app in a while, Shorts might not appear properly.

Solution for YouTube Shorts not showing on iPhone:

1. Clear the app cache: Head to your iPhone’s settings, tap on the YouTube app, and select ‘Clear Cache.’ This can often resolve issues with content not loading or YouTube videos not working on Firefox, Chrome, and other browsers.

2. Update the YouTube app: Head to the App Store and checking if you have the newest version installed.

3. Check network settings: Ensure you have a reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. You might also want to switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data or the other way around to check if the problem continues.

4. Restart the app: Sometimes, simply closing and reopening the YouTube app can fix minor glitches.

YouTube Shorts No Sound

It’s one of the most annoying things when you’re watching YouTube Shorts, and there’s no sound. Here’s why this might happen:

• Muted audio: You might accidentally have your phone or PC’s volume muted.
• App bugs: YouTube itself could be having issues with audio playback.
• Browser issues: If you're watching on a PC, the browser could be causing audio issues with YouTube Shorts.

Solution for YouTube Shorts no sound:

1. Check your device volume: Ensure your device’s sound is turned on and the volume is up. This might sound obvious, but it’s an easy fix!
2. Update your app or browser: Outdated apps or browsers can sometimes cause sound issues. Make sure everything is updated.
3. Reboot your device: If the sound isn’t working, try restarting your device to reset the app or browser.
4. Check audio settings: If you’re on a PC, check your browser’s sound settings or try using a different browser.

YouTube Shorts Autoplay Not Working

YouTube Shorts Autoplay Not WorkingAutoplay not working when you’re watching YouTube Shorts is another common issue that can be pretty annoying. Here’s why this might be happening:

• Autoplay settings: You might have turned off the autoplay feature on YouTube.
• Network problems: If your connection is slow or not stable, it can stop autoplay from working correctly.
• App or browser glitches: Sometimes YouTube just glitches and doesn’t follow through with autoplay.

Solution for YouTube Shorts autoplay not working:

1. Enable autoplay: If you’ve disabled autoplay in the YouTube app or on the website, you’ll need to enable it again. On mobile, you can toggle autoplay in your account settings under ‘Autoplay.’

2. Check your network connection: A poor connection can prevent autoplay from loading new Shorts automatically. Try switching to a more stable network.

3. Restart the app or browser: If autoplay stops working unexpectedly, restart your app or browser to see if that resolves the issue.

Part 3. How to Fix a Downloaded YouTube Video Not Playing

Sometimes, the issue is not the YouTube Shorts app but the video file itself. If you've downloaded a YouTube video and it’s not playing, you might need to repair the video file. ArkThinker Video Repair is the tool that has helped me fix such issues.

It is an all-in-one solution for fixing video issues. Whether you’ve downloaded a YouTube video or transferred files from your camera, ArkThinker can help. The tool can repair videos with corrupted audio, damaged frames, and even videos in MP4, 3GP, etc., with missing or black screens.

Then, run this video repair tool on your device, click the Add Video button, and import the downloaded or saved YouTube Shorts video that’s not working into this tool as your source video. You also need to add a sample video from YouTube Shorts to help repair this not-working file.

What you need to do is wait for the repair process.

The repair process was straightforward, and the tool did a great job restoring my videos. One thing I love about ArkThinker is its ability to fix corrupted files without needing to be an expert in video editing.

However, a downside is that ArkThinker Video Repair doesn’t support batch repairs. So, if you’ve got multiple corrupted files, you’ll need to repair them one by one, which can be a bit time-consuming.

Conclusion

If you’ve downloaded a video and it’s not playing, ArkThinker Video Repair can help restore your files so you can watch them again without any hassle. So next time you encounter an issue with YouTube Shorts, don’t panic—just follow these steps, and you’ll be back to scrolling through fun videos in no time!