If you add YouTube timestamps to your videos, you will get more views on your video. But what happens when your audience tells you that the YouTube chapters not working. They might be unable to view your video in chapters or timestamps in which you might have divided the video. Why do you think this is happening? There might be various reasons why the YouTube video chapters not working properly. Sometimes there are glitches that happen, but what if the chapters are working properly on others’ videos and the issue is just occurring on the latest video you posted?
In this guide, we will first understand why YouTube chapters not working, and then according to the problem, we will find the apt solution.
Reasons Why YouTube Chapters Not Working
There might be several reasons why YouTube chapters are not working on your video. Before we learn how to fix the error, we need to know the root cause of it. Once you understand why timestamps are not working properly, you can quickly fix the problem by using the right solution:
- The 00:00 timestamp is missing
- Chapters cannot be less than 10 seconds
- The chronological order of the chapters you entered is wrong
- Spacing is missing between the timecode and the title chapter
- You might have included clickable links between the timecodes
- Your video has less than three chapters
- YouTube has restricted your YouTube channel
- You do not have 1K subscribers
- Your video does not follow YouTube guidelines
- Check if you have added more than 50 chapters
- YouTube is unable to detect the timestamps
Top 11 Ways To Fix YouTube Chapters Not Showing Error
You need to figure out the issue as to why YouTube chapters are not working on your video. Once you know the reasons, you can work on fixing them. Here’s how you can fix YT timestamps not working:
Add The 00:00 Timestamp
If you have forgotten to add the first timestamp, which is usually titled introduction, then the YT chapters must not be working properly. Therefore, all the chapter markers on your videos must have atleast three text-long characters. That does not include spaces.
Each Chapter Should Be More Than 10 Seconds
YouTube created the chapter concept to organize videos in sub-topics. This helps the viewers quickly find solutions to their queries in the particular sections of the video. If your chapters are less than 10 seconds, they cannot have accurate and complete information. YouTube does not want the viewers to waste their time watching content that does not solve their queries. Therefore, you need to create chapters of more than 10 seconds. If it is less than that, YouTube might restrict the chapters appearing on your video.
Check The Chronological Order Of The Timestamps You Enter
The YouTube chapters won’t work on your videos if you have not entered the incorrect timestamps. This wrong order of the timestamps will confuse YouTube and prevent displaying the chapters on your video.
Add Proper Spacing Between The Timecode And The Title Of The Chapter
Sometimes you simply forget to add spacing between the chapter title and the timecode. For instance, you must have written it like 00:00-introduction. Whereas you are supposed to write it like 00:00 – introduction. If you have made this error unknowingly, you need to change it quickly, then check if the YouTube chapter starts working on your video.
Include Clickable Links After The Timecodes
If you add clickable links in your video between the timecodes, then that might confuse YouTube. That might be one of the reasons why the YouTube chapters not showing. It’s not a compulsion, though, but this might work.
Add More Than Three Chapters
If your video has less than three chapters, then it’s better not to add them. In case your video is short, then adding timestamps makes no sense. If your video is long enough, ensure that you divide the video into more than three chapters.
Resolve The Copyright Strikes
If any video on your channel has a copyright strike, then YouTube will restrict you from adding chapters to your video. However, YouTube chapters will start working once you resolve the copyright strike.
You Need To Have 1000 Subscribers On Your YouTube Channel
If YT chapters are not working on your videos, then your channel might not have 1000 subscribers. Since this feature is available only to those with more than 1K subscribers on their channel. Also, the 1000 subscribers benchmark is essential if you want to be eligible for YouTube monetization.
Follow YouTube Guidelines
If your videos are against the terms and regulations, then that might be one of the reasons why the YouTube chapters not showing on your videos. Learn YouTube’s guidelines carefully before creating content to avoid copyright strikes or getting flagged by YT.
Reduce The Chapters If It Is More Than 50
Another reason why YouTube video chapters not working is that you might have had more than 50 chapters to your video. There is a limit that you can add a maximum of 50 chapters on a video only.
Don’t Space Out Timestamps In The Description
You need to place the timestamps in one block. Avoid doting them through the description. Additionally, avoid adding anything that looks like a timestamp in your video description, as that might confuse YouTube. If you want to get the YouTube chapters working on your video, you need to do everything in your power not to confuse the YouTube algorithm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I enable chapters on YouTube?
Ans. Follow these steps to enable chapters on YouTube:
- Firstly sign in to your YouTube studio.
- Select content from the left menu.
- Select the video on which you want to add chapters.
- Click show more, and under automatic chapters, you need to select ‘allow automatic chapters’
Q2. How long does it take for YouTube chapters to show?
Ans. As soon as you update the chapters on your video, they should be visible immediately. But if it isn’t visible, you do not need to worry. YT will update video chapters within 24 hours.
Q3. Is there a limit to chapters on YouTube?
Ans. Yes, there is a limit to chapters on YT. You can add 50 chapters at a time to your video.
Q4. Do YouTube chapters help?
Ans. Yes, YT chapters help the user to find the answer to their query. This will also help you to get views on YouTube if your video shows up in search results.
Q5. How many chapters can you put in a YouTube video?
Ans. You can add only 50 chapters to a YouTube video. If you try to add more than fifty chapters, you might get the YT chapters not showing error.
Conclusion
After trying all the solutions and yet if YouTube chapters not working error happens; it can get annoying! Sometimes the issue is with YT, and there is nothing you can do about it. There is a glitch and bug that all the platforms have. As the platform is vast, the problems might be different. Sometimes maybe the YouTube sound is not working, and or the YT videos aren’t playing! Therefore you must try to fix these errors differently, or you can bring this issue to YouTube’s notice by reporting it.
Also, learn how to apply for the YouTube Partner Program, if you want to earn money on YT.