Have you ever been watching a fun YouTube Short and boom — it scrolls to the next one all by itself? You’re not touching your screen. You’re not blinking wrong. Yet, poof! It’s gone. Super annoying, right?
Don’t worry. You’re not alone. And you’re not going crazy. Lots of people are dealing with this weird issue. The good news? You can totally fix it!
Why Do YouTube Shorts Scroll by Themselves?
Before we go full detective mode, let’s look at some possible causes. Often, the problem comes from:
- App bugs or glitches
- Auto-play settings
- Old app versions
- Phone screen issues or ghost touches
- Slow internet or buffering problems
That’s a pretty sneaky list. But hey — we can beat each one!
Let’s Fix It! Step by Step
Here’s how to stop YouTube Shorts from going rogue and scrolling away your fun.
1. Update the YouTube App
An outdated app is like an old sandwich. It just doesn’t work right.
- Go to your Play Store or App Store.
- Search YouTube.
- Hit that Update button if it’s there.
Once updated, reopen the app and check if Shorts still misbehave.
2. Clear App Cache (Android Only)
Too much cache is like carrying junk in your pockets. It slows things down!
- Go to Settings on your phone.
- Find Apps > YouTube.
- Tap Storage.
- Hit Clear Cache.
This helps the app run smoother.
3. Check Auto-Play Settings
YouTube might be “helping” you by playing the next Short. But if you’re not into that:
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Go to Settings > General.
- Switch Muted Playback in Feeds to Off.
- Also, go to Autoplay and disable it there too.
No more automatic jumps!
4. Check Your Screen or Touch Sensitivity
Sometimes the screen is the real villain. Ghost touches are accidental touches caused by bad screens or screen protectors.
Try this:
- Remove your screen protector.
- Clean your screen.
- Check for cracks or jumpy touches.
Still not sure? Try using another app like Instagram or TikTok. Do they scroll too? Then it’s probably your screen, not the app.
5. Restart Your Phone
Seriously, just do it. It fixes things more often than you’d think.
Shut it down. Count to five. Turn it back on. It’s magic. Try playing a Short now and see if it stays put.
6. Reinstall the App
If YouTube is still throwing tantrums, uninstall it completely.
- Hold the YouTube app icon.
- Tap Uninstall.
- Head back to the App Store or Play Store.
- Reinstall the app fresh and clean.
It’s like sending YouTube to restart school. And guess what? It usually comes back much better behaved.
7. Use YouTube on a Browser
Okay, so the app’s still being weird? Open YouTube in your phone’s browser (like Chrome or Safari).
Visit youtube.com, log in, and enjoy your Shorts from there. A temporary fix, but hey — it works!
8. Disable Accessibility Features That May Interfere
Some phones have accessibility features that may auto-scroll. Check if you accidentally turned something on.
- Go to Settings.
- Find Accessibility.
- Turn off features like Switch Access or Auto-scroll.
It’s a sneaky setting, but not for us smart cookies!
9. Try in Safe Mode (Advanced)
Still stuck? Try running your phone in safe mode. It disables apps and lets your phone breathe. If YouTube Shorts work fine in safe mode, some other app is messing things up.
To enter safe mode, the steps can vary by phone model. But usually it goes like this:
- Hold down the power button.
- Long-press Power Off on screen.
- Select Reboot in Safe Mode.
Test it out. Then restart your phone again to go back to normal.
Bonus Tip: Check for System Updates
Sometimes your phone needs an update. It’s like giving your phone a vitamin boost!
- Go to Settings > System.
- Tap Software Update.
- Install any available updates, then restart.
Updates squash bugs and boost performance. Mighty helpful!
Let’s Wrap This Up
Okay, folks! We covered a ton. Let’s do a quick recap:
- Update your app
- Clear cache and settings
- Fix your screen and protect it from ghost touches
- Turn off auto-play
- Restart and reinstall the app
- Use a browser as a temporary fix
- Check system and accessibility settings
YouTube Shorts should stay still now. No more automatic skipping, no more dance of confusion. Just you, the Short, and endless scrolling at your own pace.
Still Stuck?
If none of this works, reach out to YouTube Support. They might be able to zoom into your issue like a superhero with a magnifying glass.
But 99% of you? You’ll be back to laughing at cat videos without them vanishing in no time. Yay!
Happy Scrolling!
Enjoy your Shorts, share with your friends, and remember — technology can be tricky, but we’ve got the tricks. 😉