Transcript Not Showing Up for Long Video on YouTube [6 Troubleshotting Methods]

Having trouble with YouTube transcripts not showing up, especially for long videos? You're not alone! In this guide, we dive into the reasons why transcripts may fail to appear for long videos. We offer six quick fixes to resolve the problem, such as enabling captions, refreshing your page, and clearing your browser cache. Plus, we introduce a great alternative to easily get accurate transcripts when YouTube's built-in feature doesn't work.

YouTube transcript is an essential feature for viewers who want to read along with a video's dialogue or search for specific information. However, users sometimes encounter issues where transcripts do not appear or YouTube "Show Transcript" option is missing, especially for long videos. In this guide, we will explore why transcript is not showing up for long videos on YouTube and share 6 effective troubleshooting methods to fix it.

Do All YouTube Videos Have Transcripts

Not all YouTube videos come with automatic transcripts. YouTube generates transcripts primarily for videos with clear audio and in supported languages. However, some videos may not have the "Show transcript" option due to various reasons, such as complex audio, multiple speakers, or language limitations.

Why Are Some Video Transcripts Disabled or Not Showing Up

There are several reasons why a transcript might not appear for a YouTube video:

• Long Video: YouTube's transcript feature may struggle with very long videos, causing delays or omissions.
• Private Video: If a video is private or unlisted, transcripts may not be generated.
• Copyrighted Video: Some copyrighted content might have transcripts disabled.
• Auto-Generated Subtitles Issues: If YouTube's speech recognition software has trouble processing the audio, it may not create a transcript.
• Manual Transcript Removal: The video uploader may choose to disable automatic transcripts.
• Unsupported Language: YouTube doesn't support automatic captions for all languages.
• Poor Audio Quality: If the speech is unclear, has heavy background noise or accent, or is distorted, YouTube may not generate a transcript.

📖 Further Reading

6 Fixes to Transcript Not Showing Up for Long Video on YouTube

If you're facing issues with transcripts not showing up for a long video, try these fixes:

🚀Fix 1. Check If Auto-Generated Captions Are Enabled

Ensure that the video is not private and that auto-generated subtitles are enabled. If the video supports subtitles but they are not showing, go to the settings and manually enable auto-generated captions. Here's how to open auto-generated transcript on YouTube:

Step 1. Open YouTube and click your profile icon > the Settings icon (⚙️).

Step 2. From the left menu, click "Playback and performance" to continue.

Step 3. Turn on the transcript onYouTube from the Subtitles and Closed Captions option.

🚀Fix 2. Reduce the Video Resolution

Sometimes, reducing the video resolution can help load transcripts properly. Higher resolutions require more bandwidth and processing power, which may cause subtitles to fail to load. Try switching to 480p or 720p and check if the transcript appears.

🚀Fix 3. Contact the Uploader

If transcripts are not appearing due to uploader settings, reaching out to the video creator might help. You can leave a comment or check if they have provided alternative transcript options in the video description.

🚀Fix 4. Refresh the Page

Sometimes, the transcript feature may fail to load due to temporary glitches. A simple page refresh (Ctrl + R on Windows or Cmd + R on Mac) can sometimes resolve the transcript loading issues.

🚀Fix 5. Clear Browser Cache

Corrupted cache files in your browser might be preventing YouTube from displaying transcripts. Clear your browser's cache by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear Browsing Data and selecting Cached Images and Files. Restart your browser and try again.

🚀Fix 6. Use a Different Browser or Device

If the issue persists, try using a different web browser or switching from a mobile device to a desktop (or vice versa). Some browser extensions or settings may interfere with YouTube's transcript feature.

Best Free Way to Get a Transcript from a YouTube Video​

If YouTube's built-in transcript feature fails, a third-party online tool like free EaseUS YouTube Transcript Generator can help. This tool extracts and generates accurate transcripts from YouTube videos, even for long videos where YouTube's auto-subtitles might not work properly.

Why Choose the YouTube Transcript Generator:

• Totally free to use without ads
• Support long videos
• Available to copy all the captions with one click
• Available to download to your computer in one click

As the best alternative to YouTube built-in transcript generator,  it can do all the same things as the YouTube built-in transcript feature and more. All you need to do is paste the video URL and click "Get video transcript".

Wait for a few seconds, 100% correct transcript texts will appear before you. Then you can click the "Play" button from the left to enjoy the video and watch the transcript text at the same time. It also enables you to download the subtitles to your PC or Mac computer for offline viewing or later  summarization.

Final Verdict

Transcripts are a valuable feature for accessibility and content searchability on YouTube. While YouTube automatically generates transcripts for many videos, long videos may encounter issues. If a transcript is not showing up, the fixes above should help. Additionally, third-party tools like EaseUS YouTube Transcript Generator provide a great alternative for obtaining transcripts when YouTube's feature fails.

FAQ on YouTube Show Transcript Missing

1. How do I expand my YouTube transcript?

To expand a YouTube transcript, click on the three-dot menu below the video, select "Show Transcript", and use the scrollbar to navigate through it.

2. How do I get a transcript from a short YouTube video?

For short videos, you can follow the same method: click on the three-dot menu (or the "more" option from the video description) and select Show Transcript. If unavailable, use a third-party tool like EaseUS Transcript Generator.

3. How do I make YouTube subtitles longer?

You cannot manually extend YouTube's auto-generated subtitles. However, you can download the transcript, edit it, and re-upload it as a custom subtitle file.