Are you having trouble changing the thumbnail on your YouTube Shorts video? This comprehensive guide covers all the possible reasons why you may not be able to change the thumbnail and provides detailed solutions for each case, from copyright issues to technical glitches.
Why Cant I Change the Thumbnail on Youtube Shorts
YouTube Shorts is a popular short-form video platform that allows users to create and share videos up to 60 seconds long. However, some users may find it challenging to change the thumbnail of their Shorts videos. In this article, I’ll cover all the possible reasons why you might be unable to change the thumbnail and how to fix it. So, learn how to optimize your Shorts video for maximum visibility and engagement with a high-quality thumbnail. Don’t let a thumbnail issue hold you back.
Reasons why you can’t change the thumbnail on YouTube Shorts
Auto-generated thumbnails: YouTube automatically generates thumbnails for Shorts videos based on a frame from the video. In this case, you may not be able to change the thumbnail since YouTube chooses it for you.
Mobile app limitations: If you uploaded your Shorts video from the YouTube mobile app, you may not be able to change the thumbnail. However, if you uploaded the Shorts video from a computer, you should be able to customize the thumbnail.
Technical glitches: If you are not seeing the option to change the thumbnail for your Shorts video, it could be a temporary issue with YouTube. In that case, wait for some time and try again later.
Account eligibility: If your YouTube account is new or if you have not verified your account, you may not be eligible to change the thumbnail for your Shorts video.
Solutions to fix the thumbnail issue on YouTube Shorts
Creating a custom thumbnail: If you want to create a custom thumbnail for your Shorts video, you can do so by uploading the video from your computer. When you upload the video, you will be prompted to choose a thumbnail from your video or upload a custom thumbnail.
Verifying your account: To be eligible to change the thumbnail for your Shorts video, you need to have a verified YouTube account. You can verify your account by going to the YouTube Studio, clicking on “Settings,” and then clicking on “Channel.” Under the “Channel Status and Features” section, click on “Verify” and follow the prompts to verify your account.
Waiting for a technical fix: If you are experiencing a technical issue with YouTube, you may need to wait for some time before the issue is resolved. You can try refreshing your browser or clearing your cache to see if that helps.
Appealing to YouTube: If you have tried all the above solutions and still cannot change the thumbnail for your Shorts video, you can contact YouTube’s support team for further assistance. You can do this by going to the YouTube Help Center and submitting a request.
Fix it
Auto-generated thumbnails
When you upload a Shorts video to YouTube, the platform automatically generates a thumbnail for your video based on a frame from the video. This means that you may not be able to change the thumbnail since YouTube chooses it for you.
However, if you’re not happy with the thumbnail that YouTube has generated for your Shorts video, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, you can try re-uploading the video and see if YouTube generates a different thumbnail. Alternatively, you can create a custom thumbnail for your Shorts video.
Mobile app limitations
If you uploaded your Shorts video from the YouTube mobile app, you may not be able to change the thumbnail. This is because the mobile app has some limitations when it comes to editing videos.
To change the thumbnail for your Shorts video, you will need to upload it from a computer. Once you’ve uploaded the video, you can go to the video manager and select the video you want to edit. From there, you can choose a thumbnail from your video or upload a custom thumbnail.
Technical glitches
Sometimes, you might not see the option to change the thumbnail for your Shorts video due to a temporary technical issue with YouTube. In this case, you should wait for some time and try again later.
You can also try refreshing your browser or clearing your cache to see if that helps. If the issue persists, you can reach out to YouTube’s support team for assistance.
Account eligibility
To change the thumbnail for your Shorts video, you need to have a verified YouTube account. If your account is new or if you have not verified your account, you may not be eligible to change the thumbnail for your video.
To verify your account, you can go to the YouTube Studio and click on “Settings.” From there, click on “Channel” and then click on “Verify.” Follow the prompts to verify your account. Once your account is verified, you should be able to change the thumbnail for your Shorts video.
Examples:
Let’s say you uploaded a Shorts video from the YouTube mobile app and you’re unable to change the thumbnail. To fix this issue, you need to upload the video from a computer and then choose a custom thumbnail.
Alternatively, if you’re experiencing a technical issue with YouTube and you can’t see the option to change the thumbnail for your Shorts video, you can try refreshing your browser or clearing your cache. If the issue persists, you can contact YouTube’s support team for assistance.
Lastly, if you have a new YouTube account or you haven’t verified your account, you won’t be able to change the thumbnail for your Shorts video. To fix this issue, you need to verify your account by going to the YouTube Studio, clicking on “Settings,” and then clicking on “Channel.” From there, click on “Verify” and follow the prompts to verify your account.
Community Guidelines
Another reason why you may not be able to change the thumbnail on your YouTube Shorts video is if the video violates the platform’s Community Guidelines. If YouTube deems that the video is inappropriate or contains content that is not suitable for all ages, they may prevent you from changing the thumbnail.
To fix this issue, you will need to edit the video so that it complies with YouTube’s Community Guidelines. Once you have done this, you can try changing the thumbnail again.
Examples:
Let’s say you uploaded a Shorts video that contained explicit content, and YouTube flagged it for violating their Community Guidelines. In this case, you will not be able to change the thumbnail until you edit the video to comply with YouTube’s rules. You can remove any inappropriate content, add appropriate tags, and try changing the thumbnail again.
Video length
YouTube has specific requirements for the length of your Shorts video, and if your video does not meet these requirements, you may not be able to change the thumbnail. Currently, Shorts videos must be between 15 and 60 seconds long.
To fix this issue, you can edit your video to ensure that it meets the required length, and then try changing the thumbnail again.
Examples
Let’s say you uploaded a Shorts video that is only 10 seconds long, and you’re unable to change the thumbnail. In this case, you will need to edit the video to make it longer, so it meets YouTube’s requirements for Shorts videos. You can add some extra footage or a title card to make the video longer, and then try changing the thumbnail again.
Thumbnail format
YouTube has specific requirements for the format of your thumbnail image, and if your image does not meet these requirements, you may not be able to change the thumbnail. Currently, YouTube requires that your thumbnail image be in the JPEG, BMP, GIF, or PNG format, and that it be less than 2 MB in size.
To fix this issue, you can edit your thumbnail image to ensure that it meets the required format and size, and then try changing the thumbnail again.
Examples:
Let’s say you uploaded a custom thumbnail for your Shorts video, but you’re unable to change it. In this case, you should check that your thumbnail image is in the correct format and is under 2 MB in size. If it’s not, you will need to edit the image to meet YouTube’s requirements and then try changing the thumbnail again.
Video not processed
Sometimes, YouTube may still be processing your Shorts video, and if this is the case, you won’t be able to change the thumbnail until the video is fully processed. You can check the video processing status by going to the YouTube Studio dashboard and looking at the video’s details. If the video is still being processed, you will need to wait until the process is complete before you can change the thumbnail.
To fix this issue, you can wait for the video to finish processing, and then try changing the thumbnail again.
Examples:
Let’s say you uploaded a Shorts video, but it’s still processing and you’re unable to change the thumbnail. In this case, you will need to wait until the processing is complete, which can take a few minutes to several hours depending on the video’s length and quality. Once the processing is complete, you can try changing the thumbnail again.
Multiple Shorts videos
If you have multiple Shorts videos uploaded to your channel, you may not be able to change the thumbnail for a specific video if you’re trying to change it from the Shorts shelf. This is because YouTube may not allow you to change the thumbnail of a specific Shorts video if you have multiple Shorts videos on your channel.
To fix this issue, you can try changing the thumbnail from the Video details page, which can be accessed from the YouTube Studio dashboard.
Examples:
Let’s say you have multiple Shorts videos uploaded to your channel, and you’re trying to change the thumbnail for a specific video from the Shorts shelf, but you’re unable to do so. In this case, you can try changing the thumbnail from the Video details page, which can be accessed from the YouTube Studio dashboard. From the Video details page, you can select the video you want to change the thumbnail for and then follow the usual steps to change the thumbnail.
Copyrighted Content
If your Shorts video contains copyrighted content, such as music or clips from movies, you may not be able to change the thumbnail. YouTube may restrict you from changing the thumbnail if the video is flagged for copyright infringement.
To fix this issue, you can either remove the copyrighted content from the video or obtain permission from the copyright owner to use the content in your video. Once the copyright issue is resolved, you can try changing the thumbnail again.
Examples:
Let’s say you uploaded a Shorts video that contained a popular song, and YouTube flagged it for copyright infringement. In this case, you will not be able to change the thumbnail until you remove the copyrighted content from the video or obtain permission to use the song. Once you have resolved the copyright issue, you can try changing the thumbnail again.
Pending Monetization
If you have monetized your Shorts video, and it is still pending review, you may not be able to change the thumbnail until the review is complete. This is because YouTube restricts certain actions on monetized content until the review is complete.
To fix this issue, you can wait for the review to complete, and then try changing the thumbnail again.
Examples:
Let’s say you uploaded a monetized Shorts video, and it is still pending review, but you’re unable to change the thumbnail. In this case, you will need to wait until the review is complete, which can take several days. Once the review is complete, you can try changing the thumbnail again.
Technical issues
Sometimes, technical issues with YouTube’s servers or your internet connection can prevent you from changing the thumbnail on your Shorts video. This can happen if YouTube’s servers are experiencing high traffic or if your internet connection is slow or unstable.
To fix this issue, you can try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache and cookies, or using a different browser or device to access YouTube. You can also check your internet connection and make sure it is stable and fast enough to support uploading and editing videos.
Examples:
Let’s say you’re trying to change the thumbnail on your Shorts video, but you’re experiencing technical issues, such as the page not loading or the changes not saving. In this case, you can try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache and cookies, or using a different browser or device to access YouTube. You can also check your internet connection and make sure it is stable and fast enough to support uploading and editing videos.
Unpublished video
If your Shorts video is unpublished, you may not be able to change the thumbnail. This is because unpublished videos are not visible to the public, and therefore, YouTube may restrict certain actions on them.
To fix this issue, you can publish the video and then try changing the thumbnail.
Examples:
Let’s say you uploaded a Shorts video, but it is still unpublished, and you’re unable to change the thumbnail. In this case, you will need to publish the video by selecting the “Publish” option from the Video details page on YouTube Studio. Once the video is published, you can try changing the thumbnail.
Old version of YouTube app
If you’re using an old version of the YouTube app, you may not be able to change the thumbnail on your Shorts video. This is because YouTube may have updated its features and functions, and the old version may not support the latest changes.
To fix this issue, you can update the YouTube app to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Examples:
Let’s say you’re using an old version of the YouTube app to change the thumbnail on your Shorts video, but you’re unable to do so. In this case, you can update the app to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you have updated the app, you can try changing the thumbnail again.
Violation of community guidelines
If your Shorts video violates YouTube’s community guidelines, you may not be able to change the thumbnail. This is because YouTube may have removed the video or restricted certain actions on it as a consequence of the violation.
To fix this issue, you can review YouTube’s community guidelines and make sure that your video complies with them. You can also appeal the decision by contacting YouTube support and providing evidence to support your case.
Examples:
Let’s say you uploaded a Shorts video that violated YouTube’s community guidelines, and YouTube removed the video or restricted certain actions on it, including changing the thumbnail. In this case, you will need to review YouTube’s community guidelines and make sure that your future videos comply with them. You can also appeal the decision by contacting YouTube support and providing evidence to support your case.
Glitches or bugs in the YouTube app
Sometimes, glitches or bugs in the YouTube app can prevent you from changing the thumbnail on your Shorts video. This can happen if the app is not functioning properly or if there are errors in the software.
To fix this issue, you can try closing and reopening the YouTube app, clearing the app cache, or reinstalling the app. You can also report the issue to YouTube support and wait for a response.
Examples:
Let’s say you’re experiencing glitches or bugs in the YouTube app that are preventing you from changing the thumbnail on your Shorts video. In this case, you can try closing and reopening the app, clearing the app cache, or reinstalling the app. You can also report the issue to YouTube support and wait for a response.
You’re not logged in to the correct account
If you’re not logged in to the correct account, you may not be able to change the thumbnail on your Shorts video. This can happen if you have multiple YouTube accounts and are not logged in to the one associated with the Shorts video.
To fix this issue, you can log out of the current account and log in to the correct account. You can also check the account settings on YouTube Studio to make sure that you’re using the correct account.
Examples:
Let’s say you’re trying to change the thumbnail on your Shorts video, but you’re not able to do so. In this case, you can check whether you’re logged in to the correct account on YouTube. If you have multiple YouTube accounts, you can log out of the current account and log in to the correct account. You can also check the account settings on YouTube Studio to make sure that you’re using the correct account.
Your video is still processing
If your Shorts video is still processing, you may not be able to change the thumbnail. This is because YouTube is still working on encoding and optimizing the video for playback, and therefore, certain actions may be restricted.
To fix this issue, you can wait for the video to finish processing, and then try changing the thumbnail. You can check the status of the video by visiting the Video details page on YouTube Studio.
Examples:
Let’s say you just uploaded a Shorts video, but it’s still processing, and you’re unable to change the thumbnail. In this case, you will need to wait for the video to finish processing. You can check the status of the video by visiting the Video details page on YouTube Studio. Once the video is fully processed, you can try changing the thumbnail.
Conclusion:
Changing the thumbnail on YouTube Shorts can be a frustrating issue, but there are several solutions to fix it. By following the above steps, you should be able to create a custom thumbnail or change the auto-generated thumbnail for your Shorts video. Remember to make your thumbnail eye-catching and relevant to the content of your video to increase the chances of it being clicked on and viewed by your audience.
