If you are here looking for solutions for your YouTube chapters not working, we assume you understand how the YouTube Chapters feature works. If you are facing any issues regarding your YouTube chapter markers, they will most likely be solved after you make the changes discussed.
What Are YouTube Chapters?
YouTube chapters provide context and information regarding each segment of the video. This gives information to the viewer and makes it easy for them to replay certain parts of the video they are keen on watching. So, if YouTube video chapters are not working on your channel, find ways to fix the feature in the blog and use it to its full potential.
YouTube Chapters vs. Timestamps: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between the location of both the features on your YouTube videos. YouTube chapters are on the video’s scrub bar, and the timestamp is always under the video description. If you see the YouTube timestamp, that came earlier than the YouTube chapter. They are used to break down the content into parts for better and faster access to what viewers are looking for.
Reasons For YouTube Chapters Not Working
If your YouTube Chapters are not working, It’s probably because of the following reasons. Check it thoroughly and make the necessary changes.
Your channel has less than 1k subscribers
YouTube chapters are not working because your channel does not have enough subscribers. To enable the YouTube Chapters feature, you need to understand how to get 1000 YouTube subscriber hacks. This is one of the thresholds you need to cross to ensure your YouTube chapter works smoothly.
You forgot to add a 00:00 timestamp
Another reason YouTube chapters are not showing is that you did not add the 00:00 timestamp, also titled Intro. All chapter markers must have text at least 3 characters long, not including the space.
You have added less than 3 chapters
If your video has less than 3 chapters, it’s better if you skip adding chapters to such a video altogether. There’s no point in adding chapters to such short videos. If you still want to add chapters to your YouTube video, try cutting them into more than 3 chapters.
One of your chapters is less than 10 seconds
Chapters are created to help users find relevant information easily. A chapter that is less than 10 seconds long cannot contain thorough information on the topic.
YouTube does not want its users to waste their time on content that probably doesn’t answer their queries. Hence, it’s advised to create chapters longer than 10 seconds. If they are less than that, YouTube restricts the chapters from appearing altogether.
The timestamps are not listed in chronological order
Always double-check the chronology of your YouTube video timestamps. If the proper sequence is not followed, YouTube fails to make sense of the information, preventing it from showing chapters for your video.
You may have entered timecodes with “.” instead of “:”
So, the most frequent issue with the YouTube chapters not working is that your chapter timecodes are visible in your description. They are even clickable, allowing viewers to skip to select points in your video. But you can’t find the chapters in your scrubber bar.
The scrubber bar is the red line at the lower end of your video that you use to navigate through the video to either skip forward or rewind. It’s a common mistake to make when creating timestamps for your YouTube video. Punctuation is crucial when creating timestamps for your YouTube video Chapters. Recheck every timestamp minutely.
You Forgot to add space between the timecode and the chapter title
Sometimes, you forget to add space between 00:00-Intro. Even if you are adding the punctuation, always put space after the time codes (00:00 – Intro)
After adding space, your YouTube chapter markers will probably start showing.
Do not include clickable links before chapter time codes
It’s not a rule, but it worked for some users. If you have any clickable links before the timestamps, it’s likely to confuse YouTube, which is probably why your chapter markers are not showing.
Put all your Facebook and Instagram links after the time codes.
Your YouTube channel has active copyright strikes.
If your channel has active copyright strikes, YouTube might restrict your channel from using the YouTube chapters feature. Resolve the copyright strike issue, and your YouTube Chapters not working problem will automatically be resolved.
Your video content could be potentially inappropriate for some viewers
If your video doesn’t adhere to the YouTube rules and regulations, that can also be why your YouTube chapters are not working.
Make it a point to ensure your video doesn’t break any of YouTube’s rules and content guidelines. It’s counterproductive as your YouTube channel misses out on all of YouTube’s new features and awards, irrespective of your channel’s success.
You might have added more than 50 chapters.
The other reason why your YouTube video chapters not working is that you have exceeded the chapter limit. A video may have a limit of 50 chapter time codes, so try reducing it to below 50.
YouTube can’t detect the timestamps properly.
Always place your timestamps in one block. Don’t dot them throughout the description. Also, avoid adding anything that looks like a timestamp in your Video description, as it’s likely to confuse YouTube.
As we all know, YouTube doesn’t do well with confusion; we must avoid that at all costs if we want our channel to be in YouTube’s good graces.
Even after checking every point off the checklist, it’s possible that your YouTube timestamps are not showing. As frustrating as that is, you must accept that YouTube just glitches occasionally. It’s just the way it is!
You can contact YouTube regarding this, but that’s the extent of your efforts. It’s better you channel your time and efforts toward creating more content and growing your channel. Don’t let this glitch take too much of your mental space. You are also required to add subtitles to your YouTube videos if you want to retain your viewers to your channel as a subscriber. It helps viewers understand your content better, which is a great reason for them to stick around.
How To Turn Off Chapters On YouTube?
You can also try turning off chapters on YouTube to fix your YouTube video chapters not working issue:
- Open YouTube and click on your Profile Icon.
- Select YouTube Studio.
- Once redirected to YouTube Studio, click Settings on the left side menu.
- Go to Upload Defaults.
- Click Advanced Settings.
- Untick Allow automatic chapters and critical moments.
- Finally, click Save.
Conclusion
We hope the issue of your YouTube video chapters not working has been resolved now. Kindly note that there’s a slight chance that even after following all the rules discussed above, your YouTube chapters feature still might not work. In such a case, you can do nothing from your end other than contact YouTube support to learn the reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do you need 1000 subscribers on YouTube to use chapters?
No, there’s no need for 1,000 subscribers on YouTube to use chapters. They are available for all creators to add to their videos and make them more accessible.
Q2. Where did chapters go on YouTube?
You can see chapters under your video player and video descriptions when you add chapters to your YouTube video.
Q3. Is there a limit to YouTube chapters?
No. There isn’t a limit to YouTube chapters. However, it is advised to add up to 10 chapters to your videos and not exceed them, as this can bore viewers, who might leave the video in between.
Q4. How long does it take for chapters to appear on YouTube?
It usually shows up immediately after adding the chapters to your YouTube video. But every so often, it takes time to appear, so you better wait for 24 hours just in case.
Q5. How does YouTube automatically add chapters?
YouTube develops integrated automatic video chapters that create chapters for your videos. Creators can also manually add the chapters with timestamps.