With the popularity of short-form content, YouTube Shorts is one of the fastest-growing content formats on the platform. But creators and viewers frequently encounter a frustrating issue: blurry YouTube Shorts. Whether you’re watching or uploading, blurry videos can impact the viewing experience and creator engagement.
If you’re facing the issue of YouTube Shorts blurry on PC or mobile, you’ve come to the perfect place! In this post, we’ll dive deep into the common causes of blurry Shorts, as well as how to fix this issue.
Why Are YouTube Shorts Blurry
There are several reasons why a YouTube Short might look blurry. The most common causes include:
1. Poor Video Resolution During Recording
One of the most likely reasons for blurry YouTube Shorts is that the original video you recorded is in low resolution. For Shorts, which are often recorded on mobile phones, even slight movements or poor lighting can degrade the quality. If your camera or recording app isn’t set to 1080p or higher, your footage may appear pixelated, especially after YouTube processes it.
2. Editing with Low Export Settings
After recording, you can use a video editing app (like CapCut, InShot, or iMovie) to edit the footage. If you export your Short using low bitrates or the default “Medium” quality settings, you’ll get a poor-quality file before upload.
3. Incorrect Aspect Ratio
YouTube Shorts should be in a vertical format – 9:16. If you upload a horizontal video or crop it improperly, YouTube will stretch or scale it, which can cause the video to be blurry or pixelated.
4. Shorts Being Compressed During Upload
When you upload a video to YouTube, the platform compresses it to save bandwidth and storage space and optimize the streaming performance. This can reduce the video’s sharpness, especially for Shorts where vertical videos are heavily compressed and transcoded.
5. Poor Internet Connection During Upload
Uploading videos using an unstable or weak Wi-Fi or mobile data connection can cause YouTube to reduce the upload quality, especially on mobile apps. If the upload is interrupted or corrupted, YouTube might process it in lower quality.
How to Fix Blurry YouTube Shorts
After knowing the causes, how can you fix the YouTube Shorts blurry issue? Maybe you can try the following solutions:
1. Record in 1080P or Higher
When recording your Shorts, always make sure your video resolution is set to at least Full HD (1080p) or even 4K for better quality. At the same time, you should record in bright and natural light to reduce noise and improve clarity. Avoid recording in dimly lit rooms or backlit scenes.
2. Export High-Quality Video
Then, when exporting the video from video editing software after editing, it’s recommended to set the resolution to at least 1080P, export your Shorts in a high bitrate, select the “High” quality option, and choose the MP4 (H.264) format for better compatibility.
3. Use the 9:16 Aspect Ratio
Plus, it’s crucial to maintain an aspect ratio of 9:16 when recording and editing your Short. This ratio prevents your footage from appearing stretched or blurry, preserving the quality and clarity of your video.
4. Ensure a Stable Internet Connection
Upload your Shorts only when connected to a strong and stable Wi-Fi network. If you’d like to upload from your mobile phone, wait until you’re in an area with solid 4G or 5G coverage.
5. Manually Adjust Playback Quality
If you notice that the video looks blurry while watching a Shorts clip, tap the three-dot icon > the settings icon on the video player, and set playback to the highest resolution.
Bonus: How to Save YouTube Shorts
Are you looking for a way to save wonderful YouTube Shorts for offline viewing? Try MiniTool Video Converter, the best YouTube Shorts downloader. It allows you to download any content from YouTube for free, including Shorts. Here’s how:
1. Download and install MiniTool Video Converter.
MiniTool Video ConverterClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
2. Open this app and go to the Download Video tab.
3. Navigate to YouTube to copy the link to the Shorts video.
4. Click on Paste URL, paste the link into the box, and click Download.
5. Select the download format and quality, then click on Download.
Then you just have to wait a few seconds for the download to complete.
Conclusion
If your YouTube Shorts are blurry while watching, you may be wondering why this happens and if there is a way to fix it. In this post, you will discover the most common reasons and effective fixes.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Lydia is always interested in new things and has been attracted deeply by writing. Her love for writing makes her become an English editor about multimedia in MiniTool. She’s determined to write articles about photos, audio, video, and other news to offer readers useful suggestions. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, photography, and having fun with friends.