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Fix YouTube Shorts Stuck at 0 Views: A Tactical Troubleshooting Guide

If your Shorts are getting no views, these are the steps that actually work.

By @shorttools
August 20, 2025
4 min read
789 words

Why Are Your YouTube Shorts Stuck at 0 Views?

Let's get straight to it: seeing your YouTube Shorts stuck at 0 views is frustrating. You’ve probably asked, ‘why my Shorts get no views?’ more times than you’d like. In most cases, it’s not just you. There are a handful of reasons for Shorts not getting views, and knowing which one applies is half the battle.
Most issues come down to discovery. Either the algorithm isn’t surfacing your video, or there’s something off with your channel or content. Don't waste time doomscrolling for hacks, focus on what you control first.
If you’re scheduling Shorts, messing about with tags, or copying big creators without seeing results, the root cause is probably a mix of timing, signals, and mismatch with what the algorithm wants.
Why Are Your YouTube Shorts Stuck at 0 Views? - ShortTools blog illustration

Quick Checks: The Obvious (But Overlooked) Fixes

First, rule out basic errors. It sounds obvious, but missing one is enough to tank your video:
1. **Set to Public:** Double-check the video isn’t accidentally Unlisted or Private.
2. **Shorts Format:** Needs to be vertical, under 60 seconds, and tagged (or titled) as ‘Shorts’.
3. **No Copyright Flags:** If YouTube quietly blocks your content, nobody’s going to see it.
If you’re good here and still see no movement in the first 24 hours, dig deeper.
Quick Checks: The Obvious (But Overlooked) Fixes - ShortTools blog illustration

Understanding the YouTube Shorts Algorithm (2024 Review)

The YouTube Shorts algorithm works differently to the main video algorithm. It looks at immediate viewer response. If your Short gets a rubbish start, it might not recover, so your first hour matters most.
YouTube is ruthless about watch time, swipe rate, and replays. If people are swiping past instantly, the algorithm kills your reach. On the flip side, even a few solid engagements can give you a boost.
If you want to increase Shorts views, pay attention to your own analytics. Look for Shorts that hold people past 3 seconds. That’s usually the tipping point.
Don’t get obsessed with going viral straight away. Plenty of Shorts actually pop off days after upload, once the algorithm finds a match.
Understanding the YouTube Shorts Algorithm (2024 Review) - ShortTools blog illustration

How to Warm Up Your YouTube Account for Shorts

If you’ve just started or taken a break, your channel is cold. The algorithm doesn’t trust it. That’s why new accounts see Shorts stuck at 0 views, no matter how clever the idea. You need to ‘warm up’ your YouTube account.
The fastest way is consistency. Post every 1-2 days for a week, mixing formats and lengths. Don’t recycle TikToks with watermarks. Engage with comments, even if there’s only one.
Stay away from deleting flops. It resets any trust you’ve built. If something completely tanks, leave it and move on.
If you must batch content, stagger the uploads. Dumping ten at once doesn’t warm anything up; it just confuses the signal.
How to Warm Up Your YouTube Account for Shorts - ShortTools blog illustration

Fixing 0 Views on Shorts: Tactical Steps That Work

If you’ve checked the basics and gotten into a routine, here’s how to fix 0 views on Shorts more aggressively:
1. **Post at High-Traffic Times:** Look in Shorts analytics for when your vids get the most views, post an hour before that.
2. **Watch Your Retention:** Shorts that die at the first line or scene almost never recover. Trim intros and keep things moving.
3. **Refresh Your Ideas:** If you’re copying trends that peaked months ago, your Shorts get no views because they’re buried under noise. Instead, look for up-and-coming formats in smaller niches.
Scrolling the trending tab gives you a rough idea, but it’s full of huge channels. If you want something actionable, filter for channels under 50k subs that just had a growth spike. That’s the kind of signal you can find in ShortTools.
4. **Use Smart Alerts:** Instead of guessing, set alerts to spot when smaller creators in your space start to pop. Jump on those ideas early, adjust, and iterate.
5. **Test Thumbnails and Captions:** Minor tweaks can un-stick a Short. Change the first frame or reword the opening hook and re-upload if you must.
Fixing 0 Views on Shorts: Tactical Steps That Work - ShortTools blog illustration

When to Stop Tweaking and Start Again

Sometimes, no matter what you do, a Short just won’t take off. If your Shorts are not getting views after 48 hours, move on and post the next. You’re better off making something new than endlessly repackaging flops.
Watch your analytics over a few weeks, not just one video. The algorithm notices consistency and improvement far more than one-off tweaks.
Treat every post as a test. If you spot ‘outlier’ videos out-performing the rest, double down on those ideas. Again, tools like ShortTools make it easy to spot these outlier patterns before they go mainstream.
When to Stop Tweaking and Start Again - ShortTools blog illustration

If your YouTube Shorts are stuck at 0 views, it’s fixable. Don’t waste days blaming the algorithm or chasing magic solutions. Focus on the basics, warm up your account, post consistently, and use more precise analytics. Look for real opportunities, most tools barely scratch the surface, but with ShortTools you can spot under-the-radar ideas and actual growth signals, not just trends everyone’s already seen. That’s how you increase Shorts views over time. Stay sharp. Ignore the hype.

FAQ

Why are my YouTube Shorts stuck at 0 views?

Usually, it’s down to poor discovery signals: wrong format, weak retention, or a ‘cold’ account. Fix the basics first, then focus on timing and engaging content. The algorithm doesn’t hand out chances for free.

How do I fix 0 views on Shorts?

Check your video is public and follows Shorts format rules. Post consistently at high-traffic times, keep intros short, and use analytics tools to spot working topics in your niche.

Does posting schedule affect Shorts views?

Yes. A steady Shorts posting schedule signals reliability to the algorithm, especially for small channels. Sudden dumps or long gaps can kill momentum.

Can I repost or tweak a Short that got no views?

You can, but don’t overdo it. Sometimes small tweaks help, like changing the first frame or opening. If it’s still dead, move on and try new ideas.

What is the best way to find Shorts ideas that actually work?

Don’t copy big trends late. Use tools like ShortTools to filter for rising channels and outlier videos in your niche. That way, you spot ideas with actual upside before they get saturated.

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