How Long Does It Take YouTube to Process a Video? (tables)

For every one minute of video, it will take about 20 seconds to 1 minute to process your video to HD and about 1 to 4 minutes to process to 4k. Processing times will vary, mostly depending on your file size.

Keep in mind that uploading is different than YouTube video processing. First, you need to upload the video, then YouTube will process the video into various resolutions and framerates, starting from the lower ones.

Why is my YouTube video taking so long to process?

When you upload a video to YouTube, it will initially be processed in lower resolution to publish the video faster. Higher resolutions take additional time to process.

1080p and 4k quality options will be missing until all processing is complete for those higher resolutions. If your video hasn’t been processed after 8 hours, Google suggests giving feedback and starting the upload over again.

Whether 1080p or 4K, regular YouTube video, or youtube shorts, you need the upload speed to be high to keep publishing your content regularly.

Your video is taking so long to process mainly because of three factors:

• quality of the video
• your internet speed
• video length

When it comes to the quality of the video, the higher the quality, the longer it will take. 4K will take longer than 1080p, but also 60fps videos will take longer than 30fps videos. The file type will also affect the time, so try to upload in these Google recommended video formats.

The slower your internet speed, the longer it will take to upload to YouTube. A poor and unstable connection will take longer to process, especially in HD. You need a good download speed for watching, and Google recommends at least 20Mbps to watch 4K videos. But you need a good upload speed for uploading, so you don’t have to wait for ages to upload.

Video length will impact the processing time because of the file size you’re trying to upload. Interestingly, even videos with the same length can have vastly different processing times. A 5-minute animation may process quicker than a 5-minute high-definition live-action clip due to differing complexities. But, you can break the video into several smaller ones or try to trim your videos. Remember that you don’t need to re-upload your video to trim it. 

Bitrate is another factor that affects the size of the video. Keep your bitrates to normal levels, or your video size might grow too large. Also, videos from partnered channels will get processed more quickly.

Bottom line: Just as when baking, factors like the type of oven and ingredients matter, in video processing, elements like video codecs and server congestion can change the ‘baking time’. Keep this in mind and always allot more time than expected.

How long does it take to upload a 1 minute video on YouTube?

A 1 minute 1080p 60fps video will take about 25 to 30 seconds to upload on a 20Mbit upload speed, and about 30 to 45 seconds to get processed by YouTube. The same 1-minute 4k video will take about 2 minutes to upload and 1 to 2 minutes to get processed.

Time to upload and process a 1 minute video on YouTube:

How long does it take to upload a 5 minute video on YouTube?

Time to upload and process a 5 minute video on YouTube:

Curiously, uploading a 5-minute video might feel like it’s taking an eternity on some days, and on others, it’s a breeze. The cumulative size of the video, your network’s peak times, and even background processes on your device can influence upload duration. Always ensure you’re not unintentionally running any bandwidth-heavy tasks in the background.

How long does it take to upload a 10 minute video to YouTube?

Time to upload and process a 10 minute video on YouTube:

How long does it take to upload a 20 minute video on YouTube?

Time to upload and process a 20 minute video on YouTube:

How long does it take to upload a 1 hour video on YouTube?

Time to upload and process a 1 hour video on YouTube:

How long does YouTube take to process HD?

YouTube takes about 4 to 8 minutes to process a 10 minute video to HD. If the frame rate and bitrate are much higher, it may take a few minutes longer.

Factors such as the video content’s complexity, the availability of YouTube’s servers, and the uploader’s internet connection speed can also affect the processing time for HD videos on YouTube. If the video content is particularly demanding in terms of graphics and special effects, it may take longer to process and be available for viewing on the platform.

How long does YouTube take to process 4K?

YouTube takes about 8 to 15 minutes to process a 10 minute video to 4K. If the frame rate and bitrate are much higher, it may take 20 to 40 minutes.
The processing time for 4K videos on YouTube can also vary depending on the hardware being used for the upload. High-end computers and fast internet connections can process and upload 4K videos faster than less powerful devices.

How long does it take YouTube to process a 20-minute video?

On average, YouTube can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to process a 20-minute video. However, if the video is a high-quality, larger file with complex content, it may take longer, up to a day or two.

The current demand can impact the processing time on YouTube’s servers, so the processing time may take longer if many videos are being uploaded simultaneously. Nevertheless, once the processing is complete, your video will be available for the world to see on the platform.

How to speed up YouTube upload?

When uploading to youtube problems can affect your channel growth and your YouTube income. These are almost always due to slow internet upload speed. There are two upload speeds: download and upload speed. If someone on your network is doing backups or anything, this might slow your upload speed significantly. 

To fix the YouTube upload time, turn off or limit the wifi on the other devices in the house, especially if they’re uploading or doing backups. You need that speed to go directly into uploading your YouTube video. Also, close any running programs on your computer that might be downloading or uploading something.

If working from a laptop, get a LAN cable, connect it to your laptop, and directly into the back of your Wi-Fi router/modem.

Additionally, your geographical location can play a role. If you’re quite distant from YouTube’s primary servers, the data has a longer journey to make, resulting in extended upload times. For regular uploaders, considering a VPN to change your server location might be beneficial.

If you still can’t get it to upload fast enough, then the only thing left is to purchase a faster internet package.

YouTube video stuck processing – What to do?

If your YouTube video is stuck on 0% processing, you may need to wait a while for it to start. Another problem you may have is using an unsupported video format.

If your YouTube video is stuck uploading, then this may be due to your slow or unstable internet connection. Make sure no other devices are using your upload speed, and disconnect everything in the house from the wifi if they are.

YouTube processing abandoned – Why does it happen?

If you get “YouTube processing abandoned” or “YouTube upload failed, ” this is probably a wifi issue and an interruption in the upload process. Ensure your internet connection is uninterrupted and open a browser window during upload.

It can also be a problem with the copyright or a rendering problem. You may have to either re-render it or re-upload the video.

Video is being processed check back later – How to Fix it?

Try deleting the end screen, saving, and then re-doing the end screen and saving again. Another issue could be that the video may be flagged for violating community guidelines. If this message appears, you may want to send an appeal to be allowed to post the video.

Sometimes you just have to wait. So give it a few hours, then check back again.

Bear in mind that while technology has evolved impressively, it isn’t infallible. Sometimes, old-fashioned solutions like restarting your device or trying a different browser can be surprisingly effective when faced with persistent YouTube issues.

Utilizing the YouTube editor can feel like an unpredictable task at times. The complexity of edits, such as adding transitions, graphics, or text overlays, can sometimes double the wait. Yet, remember that editing directly in YouTube’s platform, while convenient, might not always be the quickest option. Considering offline editing solutions could also be a time-saver.

How long does it take for the YouTube editor to process?

It takes anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. A 40-minute video can be done in an hour or so, while a 5-hour stream may take one day to trim. YouTube will only process 3 video edits at a time. Try a different rendering software, such as DaVinci Resolve.

FAQs

How long does it take for a YouTube livestream to process?

If you did a livestream and want to edit, you should know that an hour-long 1080p livestream video at 4,000kbps will take about 2 hours to process.

How to resume the YouTube upload?

If you had to stop the upload, you have up to 24 hours to continue uploading where you left off. To do this, go to YouTube, and select the same file from your computer to continue.

YouTube processing stuck at 95 – What to do?

This happens sometimes, and usually, you simply need to wait for higher resolutions to get processed, such as 4k and higher frame rate versions. This can sometimes take a day or two or more for longer videos. In rare cases, you will simply need to re-upload the video.

Why do my YouTube videos take so long to process edits?

If you’re simply waiting for an edit to finish, give it a few hours, and your video will finish. YouTube can be slow in editing. The best advice would be to use a different editor, such as DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, or FlexClip.

How long does it take for a YouTube video to trim?

The average time for YouTube video trim is about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on several factors. On average, it may take a few minutes to several hours to trim a video, depending on the length and size of the video file.

Why is my YouTube video still pending?

Pending videos are usually waiting for review by YouTube’s moderation team. The review process can take several hours to several days, depending on the volume of videos being reviewed.

Why is my YouTube video still processing?

YouTube processing can take longer if the video is large or has a high resolution. If processing takes longer than expected, it may be due to a slow internet connection or high demand on YouTube’s servers.

What size should a 10-minute YouTube video have?

The size of a 10-minute video on YouTube can vary depending on the video’s resolution and quality settings. On average, a 10-minute video can range from 100MB to several GB, with an average size of about 250MB.

Can you make YouTube processing faster?

There is no guaranteed way to speed up the YouTube processing time, but you can try reducing the size of your video file or uploading it during off-peak hours when there may be less demand on YouTube’s servers. A fast internet connection can also help the uploading and processing process.