A recent bug in YouTube’s mobile app has left many Android users frustrated, as the interface buttons for YouTube Shorts appear to be missing. Major elements, such as the like button, comment section, sharing, and even the channel logo, have vanished for a lot of users. What’s even more frustrating is that there’s currently no fix in sight.
YouTube Shorts interface buttons are missing for a lot of users
In recent weeks, tons of Android phone users have reported that the Shorts player on YouTube no longer displays the usual control buttons. The “like,” “dislike,” “comment,” and “share” buttons on the right side of the screen are gone. The channel name, avatar, and subscribe button at the bottom have vanished, too.
Some users have reported that typical workarounds like clearing the app’s cache and data don’t seem to be fixing the issue. Despite uninstalling and reinstalling the app or even rebooting the phone, the issue appears persistent.
Below you can see a comparison between the YouTube Shorts’ UI with buttons and the UI affected by the bug.
Thankfully, not all users seem to be affected
For what it is worth, some users haven’t been affected at all, meaning the problem may be tied to a specific update or device configuration rather than being universal. This also suggests that YouTube may be rolling out a new version that carries the unintended bug. However, there may be server-side changes involved.
The missing interface buttons are a lot more than a basic aesthetic issue. It removes the interactive tools that form the basis of engagement in the video streaming platform. Without visible like, comment, or share buttons, viewers may engage less, and creators could see an impact on the reach. “If you can’t comment or even see the creator name, it changes how you use the product,” one user noted.
Sadly, there’s no possible fix in sight. The only thing the affected users could do is wait for a patch update. Google usually patches major issues across its platforms as early as possible.
