Alex Ruben
How To Resolve the “Video Could Not Be Processed” Error on YouTube
Getting hit with the ‘Processing abandoned. The video could not be processed’ error when trying to upload onto YouTube? Yeah, it’s frustrating. This pops up for a bunch of reasons, but there are a few tricks that tend to fix it. No fancy tech wizardry needed—just some simple steps to get your video through the gate.
Step 1: Verify Your Phone Number for Longer Videos
If your video is over 15 minutes, YouTube kinda mandates you verify your phone. It’s dumb, but that’s how it works. Otherwise, the upload stalls during processing. Here’s how to do that:
- Head over to youtube.com/verify.
- Log in to your Google account.
- Follow the prompts—enter your phone number, then wait for the verification message or call.
Note: This step is pretty much mandatory if you’re uploading longer videos. On some setups, this process can be weird. Sometimes it needs a couple tries or a browser refresh, but ultimately, it’s the key to unlocking longer uploads.
Step 2: Check Your Video’s Specs
If you’re already verified but still getting the error, double-check your video settings. Sometimes bad codecs or incompatible formats trip up YouTube’s system. Make sure your video is:
- Codec:
H.264 - Audio Codec:
AAC - Audio Bitrate: 128 kbps or higher
Best way to do this? Use software like Handbrake or MediaInfo. When exporting, set the video codec to H.264 and audio to AAC. It’s kinda tedious, but it pays off—less processing messes with your upload, and fewer errors overall.
Step 3: Convert Your Video to a Different Format
If the specs check out but YouTube still chokes on your video, try turning it into a clean MP4. Because for some reason, YouTube prefers MP4s with H.264/AAC. Here’s the quick version:
- Install a good converter like Handbrake or VLC.
- Open up the app, import your file.
- Choose MP4 as the output container. Most apps let you select this easily.
- Set the video codec to
H.264and audio toAAC. Usually there’s a preset for this called ‘Fast Cinema’ or ‘High Profile’. - Start converting and wait. Sometimes this fixes weird issues that happen with your original file. Not sure why, but it works.
This step also tends to help with upload speed and reduces processing times, which feels like a bonus.
Step 4: Clear Browser Cache & Cookies
Browser stuff can be a sneaky cause. Clearing cache and cookies resets some weird sessions that might be causing trouble. Here’s the quick way:
- Go to your browser’s settings.
- Find the section for Privacy or History.
- Select to clear cache and cookies. Usually a single button to do both.
After you do that, close the browser, restart it, then try uploading again. Never hurts to refresh your session, and on some setups, it fixes the processing error right away.
Extra Tips & Common Pitfalls
Sometimes it’s the internet connection or server load. Make sure your upload connection is solid—stop streaming or downloading in the background. Uploads during off-peak hours, like late at night, can also help. And hey, switching browsers or trying another device might do the trick if you’re stuck.
Conclusion
If these steps don’t fix it, maybe YouTube’s server is just being weird or your account has some hiccup. But honestly, verifying your number, checking your video specs, converting to MP4, and clearing cache seem to cover most of the issues. Happy uploading—fingers crossed this helps!
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I still encounter the error after trying everything?
It’s possible YouTube support might need to get involved if your account has flagged issues or some weird bug, but most of the time, double-checking every step helps.
Can I upload videos over 15 minutes without verification?
Nope. You’ve gotta verify your phone number first. It’s a pain, but it’s the rule now.
What video formats are best for YouTube?
MP4 with H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec is the gold standard. Most video editors export easily to this format, so stick with that for less hassle.
Summary
- Verify your phone number for long videos (Settings > YouTube Studio > Features > Verify or go directly to youtube.com/verify)
- Check the video’s format and codecs—use Handbrake or VLC to re-encode if needed
- Convert your video to MP4 with H.264/AAC—often enough to clear processing errors
- Clear your browser cache & cookies, then restart and try again
- Ensure internet is stable and try uploading during off-peak hours
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Good luck!