Hey there, fellow YouTube enthusiasts! Are you one of those who rely on the ‘Show transcript’ option to make the most out of the platform’s vast video library? Well, if you are, then you might have noticed that the said option is currently missing or not showing up for some users. And boy, are they unhappy about it!
YouTube is one of the most widely used audio and video streaming and social media platforms globally, and it’s not hard to see why. With features like the ability to watch videos at your convenience and to search for specific terms or keyphrases in a video’s transcript, it has become a favorite among many. But, unfortunately, the recent glitch with the ‘Show transcript’ option is causing quite a stir among its users.
According to various reports((1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10), multiple users are experiencing difficulty in viewing transcripts for videos uploaded on YouTube. The ‘Show transcript’ option does not appear when clicking on the three dots next to the platform’s player control buttons, leaving people unable to search for specific terms or keyphrases through the content. The problem has only recently surfaced and is affecting the desktop version of YouTube.
But hey, before you go into full panic mode, know that YouTube has acknowledged the issue and has assured users that transcriptions should be available in most of the videos. So, if you’re currently experiencing the same problem, try restarting the app or your device, clearing cache and cookies, or updating your system and applications. And if all else fails, sit tight, and we’ll keep you posted as soon as there is a solution.

Now, if you’re one of those who’s heavily relying on the ‘Show transcript’ option, we understand your frustration. It’s like having your favorite pizza topping taken away. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a significant inconvenience. Personally, we use the transcript option for educational videos and to quickly skim through long video content, but now we’re left scrolling through the video like a caveman.
But let’s dive deeper into why transcriptions are so important, and why their sudden disappearance has caused such a stir among users.

Transcriptions: Why are they Important?
Transcriptions are a vital component of video content. They allow users to read and understand the audio and video content of a video, which is especially important for individuals who may be deaf or hard of hearing. Moreover, transcriptions can aid in search engine optimization (SEO), as they allow search engines to crawl and index the video content more effectively, which can ultimately help in increasing the video’s visibility in search results.
In addition, transcriptions make it easier for viewers to search for specific terms or keyphrases within a video. This can be especially helpful for educational videos, tutorials, or any video with a lot of information that viewers may want to revisit.
The Disappearance of ‘Show Transcript’: What’s the Big Deal?
The ‘Show transcript’ option is an essential feature of YouTube, as it allows viewers to access the video’s transcription easily. Its sudden disappearance has left users frustrated and unable to access essential information within the video.
Moreover, the removal of transcriptions can affect the overall user experience on the platform. It can make it difficult for viewers to navigate through the video content and can also negatively impact SEO.
What Can You Do About It?
Several factors might be causing this issue, and we’ve done some research to help you better understand why you might be having trouble accessing the transcript option. Here are some of the possible reasons why the ‘Show transcript’ option is missing on YouTube:
- Technical glitches: One of the most common reasons why the ‘Show transcript‘ option might not be working is technical glitches. YouTube is an enormous platform, and with millions of users accessing it simultaneously, technical glitches are bound to occur from time to time. These glitches can prevent the ‘Show transcript‘ option from appearing, leaving users unable to access the feature.
- Outdated software: Outdated software can also cause issues with the ‘Show transcript’ option. If your browser, operating system, or YouTube app is outdated, it might not be compatible with the platform’s latest updates, causing the feature to malfunction.
- Ad-blocker: It might come as a surprise to many, but ad-blockers can also prevent the ‘Show transcript’ option from appearing. This is because ad-blockers are known to interfere with YouTube’s video playback, and as a result, some features might not work as intended.
- Video settings: The video settings on YouTube can also affect the ‘Show transcript’ option. If the video uploader has disabled the transcript option for their video, it will not appear even if you have the feature enabled in your settings.
What You Can Do to Fix the Issue
If you’re currently experiencing difficulty in accessing the ‘Show transcript’ option on YouTube, here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:
- Restart the app or your device: Sometimes, all it takes is a simple restart to fix the issue. If you’re experiencing problems with the transcript option, try restarting the app or your device to see if it resolves the problem.
- Clear cache and cookies: Clearing your cache and cookies can also help fix the issue. These files can sometimes become corrupted, causing problems with YouTube’s features, including the transcript option.
- Update your system and applications: If you’re using an outdated browser, operating system, or YouTube app, consider updating them to the latest version. This can help ensure compatibility with the latest YouTube updates and features.
- Disable ad-blockers: If you’re using an ad-blocker, try disabling it to see if it resolves the issue. Some ad-blockers can interfere with YouTube’s playback, causing problems with certain features.
Official Response From YouTube

Reply from YouTube: most videos w/ captions will have transcript: https://goo.gle/3YhquOs if it’s not showing on your end, best to try restarting the app/device, clear cache & cookies, or update to the latest version. lmk how it goes
Conclusion
The recent glitch with the ‘Show transcript’ option on YouTube is undoubtedly a significant inconvenience for its users. However, there are alternative solutions that can help you navigate through the videos more efficiently until the issue is resolved. We hope that YouTube fixes the problem soon, so we can all enjoy our favorite pizza toppings and video content without any interruptions.
And for our readers, stay tuned for more updates on this issue and be sure to check out our dedicated YouTube section for more stories. Until then, happy streaming!