How to Fix YouTube Shorts Scrolling by Itself
When watching YouTube Shorts, some users report that the feed begins scrolling automatically after a few videos without any input. This disrupts playback and prevents proper viewing.
The most common cause is an ad-blocker extension running in the browser. However, it can also happen if browser privacy features, built-in tracking protections, or even corrupted cache and outdated browser files interfere with YouTube’s ads.
In this guide, we will go through several effective solutions, starting with the most likely fixes and moving toward workarounds.
1. Disable Ad-Blocker Extension
Community reports confirm that this issue is most often caused by ad-blocking extensions conflicting with YouTube. Since YouTube actively restricts the use of ad blockers, disabling them can restore normal Shorts playback and stop the auto-scrolling.
⚠️ Note: Turning off your ad blocker may expose you to more ads and tracking. If privacy is a concern, consider using YouTube Premium as an alternative.
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of your browser.
- Go to Extensions > Manage Extensions.
- Locate the ad-blocker extension and toggle it off.
2. Refresh the Tab (Temporary Workaround)
If you don’t want to disable your ad blocker and only need to watch a specific YouTube Short, refreshing the tab can help. This reloads the video page and bypasses the scrolling detection temporarily.
- When the Shorts feed starts scrolling by itself, press F5 or click the refresh icon in your browser.
3. Use an Alternative Browser
If disabling the ad-blocker extension doesn’t solve the problem, try opening YouTube Shorts in another browser. Some browsers (like Brave) have built-in ad blocking, which may still trigger auto-scrolling. For testing, use a browser without ad-blockers enabled (e.g., Microsoft Edge or Chrome in Incognito mode).
If Shorts play normally in another browser, the issue may be related to your primary browser’s settings, corrupted cache, or outdated files. In this case:
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Update your browser to the latest version.
- Reset browser settings or reinstall the browser if the issue persists.
If none of these solutions work, consider using YouTube Premium or follow ongoing reports in the YouTube Help Community for updates on detection changes.
