Is there a Delete button for thumbnails?

No. You replace the custom image by selecting an auto-generated frame, then SAVE.

Does this wipe the custom thumbnail or its history?

No. You swap onto an auto frame. You do not soft-delete the old file or wipe history.

Is Get suggestions the same as the auto-generated frames?

No. Get suggestions is Ask Studio AI. The auto-generated stills sit under Thumbnail. Click one of those frames.

Can I do this after the video is published?

Yes. Same path. Then check the Content wall and the watch page. It can take a few minutes to show everywhere.

Is this for Shorts or mobile?

No. This is desktop Studio for long-form. Use the Shorts-change guide or the mobile change guide.

How to remove a custom YouTube thumbnail (desktop Studio)

Drop a custom long-form thumbnail in YouTube Studio on desktop: Content, Details, pick an auto-generated frame, SAVE. There is no Delete button.

2026-09-04 3 min read ThumbnailsYouTubeGuidesStudio

You drop a custom long-form thumbnail in YouTube Studio on a computer. Same path if the video is still a draft or it has been live for years.

There is no Delete button. You pick one of YouTube's auto-generated frames under Thumbnail, then SAVE. That is a swap onto an auto frame. It is not a soft-delete, and it does not wipe history.

This is the desktop revert. To put a custom back on, use [how to change a YouTube thumbnail](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-thumbnail). For the phone, use [how to change a YouTube thumbnail on mobile](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-thumbnail-on-mobile). For Shorts, use [how to change a YouTube Shorts thumbnail](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-shorts-thumbnail).

The clicks

The taps come from [Add custom thumbnails on YouTube](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72431). Trust the label on your screen if Studio moved a word.

In the left menu, select **Content**.

Click the video title or thumbnail. That opens **Details**.

Below **Thumbnail**, click one of the auto-generated frames. Do not click **Upload file**. Do not click **Get suggestions**.

Click **SAVE** in the top right.

**Get suggestions** is Ask Studio AI. That is not one of the stills YouTube pulled from the video. The frames you want sit under Thumbnail.

On a phone you can pick an auto frame in the Studio app too. The custom upload path lives in the [mobile change guide](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-thumbnail-on-mobile).

After it is already published

Same path. Content, open the video, pick an auto frame, SAVE.

Then check the Content wall. The auto image should sit on that row. Open the watch page too.

Help says it may take time to show everywhere. If it still looks like the custom, wait a few minutes and refresh.

Views and comments stay. You can put a custom back on later.

If Upload file is missing

That does not block this job. The phone verify wall only locks **Upload file**. Picking an auto-generated frame does not need [youtube.com/verify](https://www.youtube.com/verify).

If you later want a custom again and Upload file is gone, verify on that same account, then follow the [desktop change guide](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-thumbnail).

If you want a custom again

This post stops at the auto frame. A new image is **Upload file**, then SAVE. That path is [how to change a YouTube thumbnail](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-thumbnail).

Shorts stay in the [Shorts-change guide](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-shorts-thumbnail). Pixel specs live in the [YouTube thumbnail size guide](/blog/youtube-thumbnail-size) if you need them on the way back.

Score it after you put a custom back

Skip Score on a pure auto-frame revert. Those stills are YouTube's pick, not a design you are shipping.

Once a custom is on the video again, run it through [Thumbly Score](/blog/how-to-use-thumbly-score) if you want a second look before you call it done.

FAQ

**How do I remove it on desktop?** Studio → Content → click the video → pick an auto-generated frame under Thumbnail → **SAVE**.

**Delete button?** There is none. You swap onto an auto frame.

**After it is live?** Same path. Then check the Content wall and the watch page.

**Need to verify?** Not for an auto frame. Verify only if you want **Upload file** again.

**Get suggestions?** That is Ask Studio. Click a still under Thumbnail instead.

**On my phone or a Short?** Use the [mobile](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-thumbnail-on-mobile) or [Shorts](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-shorts-thumbnail) change guides.