Why YouTube automatic chapters aren’t showing

If your video has no chapters generated by YouTube, check the video setting first, then review eligibility. This covers automatic generation; you can add manual timestamps separately when you need to control every section. (YouTube Help.)

Check the video setting

1. Open Studio and go to Content.
2. Select the video and expand Show more.
3. Find Automatic chapters and key moments and allow generation if the control is available.
4. Save, open the video, and check the player.

Enabling the setting does not guarantee chapters. YouTube Help documents eligibility requirements: advanced feature access may be needed, and active strikes or unsuitable content can prevent them. If you need to choose the cuts yourself, use the manual chapters guide.

If there are still no sections

Check for manual chapters in the description: they override automatic chapters. If you do not yet have access to chapters, review how to restore your channel’s Advanced features. YouTube also excludes channels with active strikes or content that may be inappropriate for some viewers.

For future uploads, review Settings → Upload defaults → Advanced settings and the automatic chapters option when available and eligible. Save any change you want to apply. Return to this video’s individual setting to check it: an upload default does not show that the video already has chapters.