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Videos Won’t Play in Firefox, But Will Play in Chrome

  • 3 replies
  • 5 have this problem
  • 7 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

Dharma4All
Dharma4All
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I can’t get videos (anywhere-on websites or YouTube) to play in Firefox, however, they will play in Chrome. All other images and content load on these pages, videos just won’t play. In Firefox, videos on websites either display a continuous spinning arrow or prompt me to download Flash Player (which I’ve done- more on that below). On YouTube I receive the message, “If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device.”

I’ve read countless support forum posts on this topic and tried an exhaustive list of troubleshooting (below). Nothing has helped- at all. I’m using Windows 10, Firefox version 58.0.2 (64 bit).

Extensions: Last Pass (enabled) Last updated: 3-9-18. YouTube Flash Player (disabled) Last updated: 3-8-18. Plug-Ins: OpenH264 Video Codec 1.7.1 (Always Activate) Last updated: 2-25-18. (Came with Firefox download) Shockwave Flash 28.0 r0/28.0.0.161 (Always Activate) Last updated: 3-6-18. (I downloaded) Widevine Content Decryption Module provided by Google 1.4.8. 1008 (Always Activate) Last updated: 2-25-18 (Came with Firefox download)

Below is a list of everything I’ve tried to the best of my recollection. I’ve restarted Firefox and my computer after each and every one of these and videos still won’t play.

Flash Plug-In: Adobe Website: Tested Flash plug in working correctly: Yes Uninstalled and reinstalled for good measure. Tested if working properly: Yes. In Firefox Add-Ons Manager: Unchecked “Block dangerous and intrusive flash content”. On YouTube Site: Activated Adobe Flash plug-in from lock/info icon in address bar to, “allow.”

Checked to See if Missing a Plug-In: Java, Windows Media Player & Quick Time plug-ins: Firefox help pages: “Firefox 64 bit version does not recognize or support this plug-in.” I have 64 bit Firefox version. Silverlight plug-in: Microsoft Silverlight page: “Browser may not be fully compatible.” Didn’t install.

Firefox Settings: Verified cookies enabled. Yes, enabled. No change. Verified sites not blocked in Cookie Exception list: List is empty. Allow website as exception, “Block pop-up windows” setting. Didn’t do. Don’t think culprit. Don’t want to allow pop-ups.

Misc: Installed YouTube Flash Player extension: No change. Videos still don’t play whether enabled or disabled. Disabled all plug-ins and extensions (listed above) one-by-one to check for conflicts. No change. Videos still won’t play. Adobe Flash Player on comp: Uninstalled and reinstalled for good measure Per YouTube Help: Made sure HTML5 playback is enabled. Result: “The HTML5 player is currently used when possible”. YouTube Help: Researched message, “If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device.” No answers. Turned tracking protection off in Firefox. Norton Antivirus browser protection on computer (don’t have extensions in Firefox): Disabled all. No change. Cleared cache and cookies Did a clean reinstall of Firefox

Please, help! I don’t know what else to do. I work from home and need videos to work. Switching from Firefox to Chrome in order to view videos is a major hassle.

I can’t get videos (anywhere-on websites or YouTube) to play in Firefox, however, they will play in Chrome. All other images and content load on these pages, videos just won’t play. In Firefox, videos on websites either display a continuous spinning arrow or prompt me to download Flash Player (which I’ve done- more on that below). On YouTube I receive the message, “If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device.” I’ve read countless support forum posts on this topic and tried an exhaustive list of troubleshooting (below). Nothing has helped- at all. I’m using Windows 10, Firefox version 58.0.2 (64 bit). Extensions: Last Pass (enabled) Last updated: 3-9-18. YouTube Flash Player (disabled) Last updated: 3-8-18. Plug-Ins: OpenH264 Video Codec 1.7.1 (Always Activate) Last updated: 2-25-18. (Came with Firefox download) Shockwave Flash 28.0 r0/28.0.0.161 (Always Activate) Last updated: 3-6-18. (I downloaded) Widevine Content Decryption Module provided by Google 1.4.8. 1008 (Always Activate) Last updated: 2-25-18 (Came with Firefox download) Below is a list of everything I’ve tried to the best of my recollection. I’ve restarted Firefox and my computer after each and every one of these and videos still won’t play. Flash Plug-In: Adobe Website: Tested Flash plug in working correctly: Yes Uninstalled and reinstalled for good measure. Tested if working properly: Yes. In Firefox Add-Ons Manager: Unchecked “Block dangerous and intrusive flash content”. On YouTube Site: Activated Adobe Flash plug-in from lock/info icon in address bar to, “allow.” Checked to See if Missing a Plug-In: Java, Windows Media Player & Quick Time plug-ins: Firefox help pages: “Firefox 64 bit version does not recognize or support this plug-in.” I have 64 bit Firefox version. Silverlight plug-in: Microsoft Silverlight page: “Browser may not be fully compatible.” Didn’t install. Firefox Settings: Verified cookies enabled. Yes, enabled. No change. Verified sites not blocked in Cookie Exception list: List is empty. Allow website as exception, “Block pop-up windows” setting. Didn’t do. Don’t think culprit. Don’t want to allow pop-ups. Misc: Installed YouTube Flash Player extension: No change. Videos still don’t play whether enabled or disabled. Disabled all plug-ins and extensions (listed above) one-by-one to check for conflicts. No change. Videos still won’t play. Adobe Flash Player on comp: Uninstalled and reinstalled for good measure Per YouTube Help: Made sure HTML5 playback is enabled. Result: “The HTML5 player is currently used when possible”. YouTube Help: Researched message, “If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device.” No answers. Turned tracking protection off in Firefox. Norton Antivirus browser protection on computer (don’t have extensions in Firefox): Disabled all. No change. Cleared cache and cookies Did a clean reinstall of Firefox Please, help! I don’t know what else to do. I work from home and need videos to work. Switching from Firefox to Chrome in order to view videos is a major hassle.

Chosen solution

Remove the YouTube add-on. They no longer use flash.

Make sure you are not blocking content.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (3)

FredMcD
FredMcD
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Chosen Solution

Remove the YouTube add-on. They no longer use flash.

Make sure you are not blocking content.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?

Dharma4All
Dharma4All Question owner
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Thank you for such a quick reply.

After starting Firefox in Safe Mode (which allowed videos to play) I found the culprit using another help page- Hardware acceleration!

In Firefox settings, I cleared, "Use recommended performance settings," and unchecked, "Use hardware acceleration when available." Videos now play in all websites and Youtube! (I also removed the YouTube Add-on since I don't need it).

Thank you so much for your time and help. Much appreciated. It is sooo nice to have videos again!

FredMcD
FredMcD
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Hello,

I am glad to hear that your problem has been resolved. If you haven't already, please select the answer that solves the problem. This will help other users with similar problems find the solution more easily.

Thank you for contacting Mozilla Support.