YouTube Shorts has quickly become the go-to spot for snappy music clips and videos. But there’s a bit of a hiccup: it doesn’t have its own volume control. Yep, it’s been bugging a lot of us. While it might seem like a tiny thing, it really does change how we enjoy these clips. We’re going to talk about why this is happening and share some tricks to get around it.
Also see: Chrome Volume Too Low on Windows 11, Android or Mac
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Why doesn’t YouTube Shorts have a volume control?
So, YouTube Shorts skipped the volume control, something you’d find pretty much everywhere else, even on YouTube’s main page. It looks like they weren’t aiming to leave it out; Shorts are all about quick, easy watching, and they kept the design super simple. But, this choice has made things a bit awkward for us.
Unlike the usual YouTube stuff, Shorts only use your device’s volume buttons. This might have been because Shorts first thought about mobile users, where reaching for the volume is easy. But, for folks on desktops, it’s a bit of a hassle since you need to fiddle with your device or system settings. YouTube hasn’t officially said anything about fixing this, but it’s definitely something a lot of us are talking about.
Useful guide: How to Boost Volume Above 100% in Windows 11
Adjust the volume on a normal YouTube video first
One clever way to deal with no volume control in YouTube Shorts is to first tweak the volume on a regular YouTube video. Here’s the scoop:
- Open a regular YouTube video on the same device you use for Shorts.
- Set your desired volume there. YouTube likes to keep the volume the same across its platform.
- Jump over to a Short. The volume you set earlier should still apply.
This little trick uses YouTube’s consistent volume level to your advantage. It’s a simple fix but pretty handy until there’s a better way.
Pro tip: How to Change Volume of Different Apps on Windows 11
Increase or decrease the volume of YouTube Shorts using “Volume Master”
For a more straight-up solution, check out the Chrome extension “Volume Master”. It lets you control the sound of any browser tab, including YouTube Shorts. You can boost the sound up to 600% or drop it to 0%. Here’s how:
- Add “Volume Master” to Chrome. It’s a breeze to get it from the Chrome Web Store.
- Head to YouTube, open a Short.
- Click the “Volume Master” icon in your browser’s extensions. Now you can tweak the tab’s volume, Shorts included.
- Go ahead, adjust the volume up or down as you need. This is super useful when the default volume just isn’t right.
This way, you’re in total control of YouTube Shorts’ volume, working around the platform’s own limits.
Related resource: How to Set YouTube to Always Play Highest Video Quality
Adjust YouTube Shorts volume using your device’s volume
On mobile devices like iPhones and Androids, the only real option for changing the volume on YouTube Shorts is using your device’s own volume buttons. Here’s what that looks like:
- Smartphones and tablets: If you’re watching Shorts on your phone or tablet, just use the side volume buttons. This directly changes how loud or soft the Shorts sound.
- Laptops: Watching on a laptop? Use the volume keys (often function keys with speaker icons) or any special volume buttons your laptop might have.
For now, this is the easiest way to manage the sound on YouTube Shorts, until there’s an update from YouTube.
Wait for YouTube to introduce the feature
Really, the best fix for this issue is if YouTube decides to add volume control to Shorts. We’re all hoping they’ll see how much this matters to us and get on it. In the meantime, using these workarounds and sending feedback to YouTube could nudge them in the right direction.
Concluding thoughts
Even though not having volume control on YouTube Shorts is a bit of a pain, there are still a few good ways to manage. Whether it’s tweaking the volume on a regular video, using “Volume Master,” or just using your device’s buttons, these are your best bets for now.
Hoping for a direct fix from YouTube, it’s also a good idea to let them know we want this feature. Until then, these tricks should help you keep your tunes at just the right volume.
