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What is preventing video from playing?

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 7 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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This is so frustrating.

I click on a link to a CNET page, and get a page telling me the video will play "after a word from our sponsors."

Nothing happens.

If I restart in Safe Mode, the video will play.

Back to regular mode, the video will again not play. I disable each of my add-ons individually to the point where nothing is enabled, and the video still will not play.

Is there something about Safe Mode that's different from disabling all add-ons?

Is there another troubleshooting trick I could be using to figure this out?

It's not just the one CNET page. They all behave the same. For example, http://enews.cnet.com/ct/36001708:sn2Ct-YN7:m:1:534148531:A2EED44901DB4F7573536C46EB6E084C:r:20342660362129994725360274969792

This is so frustrating. I click on a link to a CNET page, and get a page telling me the video will play "after a word from our sponsors." Nothing happens. If I restart in Safe Mode, the video will play. Back to regular mode, the video will again not play. I disable each of my add-ons individually to the point where nothing is enabled, and the video still will not play. Is there something about Safe Mode that's different from disabling all add-ons? Is there another troubleshooting trick I could be using to figure this out? It's not just the one CNET page. They all behave the same. For example, http://enews.cnet.com/ct/36001708:sn2Ct-YN7:m:1:534148531:A2EED44901DB4F7573536C46EB6E084C:r:20342660362129994725360274969792

Modified by mfwills

All Replies (5)

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Type about:preferences#advanced<Enter> in the address bar. Under Advanced, Select General. Look for and turn off Use Hardware Acceleration.

Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open the Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac=<Command>) <Shift> A)

On the left side of the page, select Appearance. Then select Default.

Now restart Firefox.


It could be the work of one of your add-ons. Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac=<Command>)<Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Disable a few add-ons, then Restart Firefox.

Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All of them.

If the problem continues, disable some more (restarting FF). Continue until the problem is gone. After, you know what group is causing the issue. Re-enable the last group ONE AT A TIME (restarting FF) until the problem returns.

Once you think you found the problem, disable that and re-enable all the others, then restart again. Let us know who the suspect is, detective.

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The hardware accelerating suggestion had no effect.

As described, I have already disabled all of my extensions one by one to the point that all are off, without satisfaction. However, starting in safe mode works great. I don't want to have to do that.

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Did you set the Appearance to Default?

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Appearance : Default is where it has been all along.

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If you have problems with current Shockwave Flash plugin versions then check this:

  • see if there are updates for your graphics drivers

https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

  • disable protected mode in the Flash plugin (Flash 11.3+ on Windows Vista and later)

https://forums.adobe.com/message/4468493#TemporaryWorkaround

  • disable hardware acceleration in the Flash plugin

https://forums.adobe.com/thread/891337 See also: