What's causing the thumbnail upload error in our product image optimization process?

Technical Q&A

Topic summary

A developer reports a sudden error when uploading optimized product images via Shopify’s GraphQL bulk mutation API: “Thumbnail failed to upload for YouTube video, please retry again.”

Key Details:

  • The process worked correctly until approximately one week ago
  • No code changes were made on their end
  • Uses the bulkOperationRunMutation with productUpdateMedia mutation
  • API version: 2021-07

Scope of Issue:

  • Affects multiple users beyond this specific app
  • Another user confirms seeing the same error on existing products that have been live for some time
  • Error appears unrelated to actual YouTube videos or recent product changes

Current Status:

  • Root cause unknown
  • Developer seeking guidance on whether app code modifications are needed
  • Issue appears to be platform-wide rather than app-specific
Summarized with AI on November 25. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hi,

We are optimizing our client’s images and updating the optimized images using update product media graphql bulk query. It was all working fine until a week ago, when suddenly after uploading the optimized images - it started giving “Thumbnail failed to upload for YouTube video, please retry again.” error.

I did see someone else who is not related to our app also face the same issue. Do we need to change something in our app code to avoid the same?

Attaching the bulk query code below for reference :

await axios.post("https://" + shopify_domain + "/admin/api/2021-07/graphql.json", {
                query: `mutation bulkOperationRunMutation($mutation: String!, $stagedUploadPath: String!) {
  bulkOperationRunMutation(
    mutation: $mutation
    stagedUploadPath: $stagedUploadPath
  ) {
    bulkOperation {
      id
    }
    userErrors {
      code
      field
      message
    }
  }
}`,
                variables: {
                    "mutation": `mutation call($productId: ID!, $media: [UpdateMediaInput!]!) {
  productUpdateMedia(productId: $productId, media: $media) {
    media {
      status
    }
    mediaUserErrors {
      code
      field
      message
    }
    product {
      id
    }
  }
}`,
                    "stagedUploadPath": key
                }
            }, {
                headers: {
                    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
                    'X-Shopify-Access-Token': access_token
                },
                httpsAgent: agent
            })
1 Like
2

I am not using your app and am looking at my old products that have been on my site for some time and they have this error message. I have no idea what is causing it.

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