how to fix youtube monetization application stuck on step 2 in progress 2026

A Step 2 application stuck on 'In Progress' is almost always a duplicate AdSense account conflict, not a glitch. Check your email — including spam — for a message from AdSense about an existing account being found; if there is one, log in and close it, or use the Change Association button in Studio to link a different verified account. If the old account isn't accessible, Change Association (which usually appears after a few days stuck on this status) can link the channel to someone else's AdSense with their permission. Mismatched tax or identity information is another common cause — your legal name needs to match your government ID and bank records exactly, since even a small typo can trigger manual review delays lasting weeks. If Change Association is greyed out entirely, your remaining option is contacting YouTube Creator Support through chat or email in your dashboard to request a manual reset.