Sometimes, the video or audio content in a web page cannot be properly downloaded and displayed in Firefox. A required plugin may be missing, outdated, blocked, in conflict with another plugin or extension, or the content may be blocked for some reason. This article will help you solve these problems. __TOC__ = Plugins = {for win,mac} ==Flash videos never play == If Flash videos may appear black, white or grey and never play, see [[Flash 11.3 doesn't load video in Firefox]]. {/for} == Install missing plugins == Although Firefox can display some media on web pages such as images and [[Viewing HTML5 audio and video in Firefox#w_what-is-open-media|open media]] like Ogg and WebM videos, it may need the help of media players and browser plugins for video, audio, and other content. Although you may have the correct media players installed to play video and audio files, you may be missing the necessary plugins when the media is ''embedded'' within the web page itself. When a plugin is missing, do the following: # Click on the download link.<br>[[Image:Plugin Needed]] # Then follow the instructions. In case the installation fails, install it manually. * '''Flash plugin''': See [[Install the Flash plugin to view videos, animations and games]] and [[Flash Plugin - Keep it up to date and troubleshoot problems]] ** The Flash plugin is used for many types of embedded audio and video, including YouTube.com videos. * '''Java plugin''': [[Use the Java plugin to view interactive content on websites]] * '''Silverlight plugin''': See [[Use the Silverlight plugin to play audio and video]] * '''Windows Media Player plugin''': See [[Play Windows Media files in Firefox with the Windows Media plugin]] ** The Windows Media Player plugin will only play a specific few Windows media formats (.asf, .asx, .wm, .wma, .wax, .wmp, .wmv, and .wvx) unless the web page is specifically designed for Firefox and other Mozilla browsers. Internet Explorer will use Windows Media Player for many other formats like mp3 and midi, but Firefox will require another plugin, such as QuickTime. * '''QuickTime plugin''': See [[Use the QuickTime plugin to play audio and video]] ** The QuickTime plugin can handle many different types of embedded media. On older operating systems, the QuickTime plugin may not be configured to handle some common file formats found online, such as embedded .mp3 audio on Windows XP{for not fx17} or Mac OS X 10.5 and below{/for}. In such cases, you need to select the media formats you want QuickTime to play in Firefox in your QuickTime Preferences. For other, less common, media players and their plugins, see these websites: *[http://www.adobe.com/products/shockwaveplayer/ Shockwave] *[http://www.real.com/ RealPlayer] *[http://www.videolan.org/ VLC] == Update your plugins == Check that you have the latest versions of all your plugins. *Go to our [https://www.mozilla.org/plugincheck Plugin Check] page and follow the links to update any plugins that are out of date. == Allow Plugin Container in your Internet security program == Allow your Internet security software (including firewalls, antivirus programs, anti-spyware programs, and more) to trust [[What is plugin-container|plugin-container.exe]] also known as Plugin Container for Firefox. For detailed instructions, see [[Configure firewalls so that Firefox can access the Internet]] where in that case Firefox means Plugin Container for Firefox. == Disable a conflicting plugin == If you have more than one plugin installed that can handle the same [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_media_type media type], this can cause a conflict that prevents some embedded media from playing. You may be able to fix the issue by disabling one of the plugins. {for not fx23} #[[T:Open Add-ons|type=Plugins]] #In the list of plugins, select the plugin you wish to troubleshoot. #*If you want to disable the plugin, click the {button Disable} button. #*If you want to re-enable the plugin, click the {button Enable} button {/for} {for fx23} #[[T:Open Add-ons|type=Plugins]] #In the list of plugins, select the plugin you wish to troubleshoot. #*If you want to disable the plugin, select {button Never Activate} in its drop-down menu. #*If you want to re-enable the plugin, select {button Always Activate} in its drop-down menu. {/for} For example, you may need to disable the VLC plugin to play embedded QuickTime or Windows Media content. For more information about troubleshooting problems caused by plugins, see the [[Troubleshoot issues with plugins like Flash or Java to fix common Firefox problems]] article. = Other solutions = == Clear the cache == See [[How to clear the Firefox cache]]. <!-- https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=594327 --> == Disable interfering extensions or ad-blocking software == * Ad-blocking software, such as anti-banner filters of your Internet Security program, or extensions, such as Flashblock or Adblock Plus, can prevent audio or video content from playing. If the site works with ad-blocking disabled, you may want to add the site to your whitelist in your adblocker filter. * Any Firefox extension can also block plugins. If the video or audio plays when you disable all extensions, then one of your extensions was causing the problem. For more information, see [[Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems]]. == Check some Firefox settings == * Verify that cookies are enabled in the [[Settings for privacy, browsing history and do-not-track|'''Privacy''' panel in the {for win}Options{/for}{for mac,linux}Preferences{/for} window]]. Verify that the site is not blocked in the Cookie Exceptions list. * Allow the website as an exception in the Firefox pop-up blocker. The "Block pop-up windows" option is found in the [[Settings for fonts, languages, pop-ups, images and JavaScript|'''Content''' panel of the {for win}Options{/for}{for mac,linux}Preferences{/for} window]]. {for not fx23} *Verify that JavaScript is enabled in the [[Settings for fonts, languages, pop-ups, images and JavaScript|'''Content''' panel of the {for win}Options{/for}{for mac,linux}Preferences{/for} window]]. <!-- https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=449358 --> {/for} == Remove specific entries in the hosts file (advanced users) == If you use a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_%28file%29 hosts file], you can temporarily disable it by renaming it {filepath Xhosts}. Or, you can edit the hosts file to remove specific entries such as '''ad.doubleclick<!-- -->.net''' that can cause videos on certain sites to fail (for more information, see this [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2862303#2862303 MozillaZine forum thread]). To apply changes to your hosts file, you may need to flush the DNS cache{for win} by entering the command: <code>ipconfig /flushdns</code> in the Run dialog box on Windows{/for}. <!-- MZ credit --> <br/> <br/> '''''Based on information from [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Video_or_audio_does_not_play Video or audio does not play (mozillaZine KB)]''''' [[Template:ShareArticle|link=http://mzl.la/LL9mLw]]

Sometimes, the video or audio content in a web page cannot be properly downloaded and displayed in Firefox. A required plugin may be missing, outdated, blocked, in conflict with another plugin or extension, or the content may be blocked for some reason. This article will help you solve these problems.

Plugins

Install missing plugins

Although Firefox can display some media on web pages such as images and open media like Ogg and WebM videos, it may need the help of media players and browser plugins for video, audio, and other content. Although you may have the correct media players installed to play video and audio files, you may be missing the necessary plugins when the media is embedded within the web page itself.

When a plugin is missing, do the following:

1. Click on the download link.
   
2. Then follow the instructions.

In case the installation fails, install it manually.

• Flash plugin: See Install the Flash plugin to view videos, animations and games and Flash Plugin - Keep it up to date and troubleshoot problems
  • The Flash plugin is used for many types of embedded audio and video, including YouTube.com videos.
• Java plugin: Use the Java plugin to view interactive content on websites
• Silverlight plugin: See Use the Silverlight plugin to play audio and video
• Windows Media Player plugin: See Play Windows Media files in Firefox with the Windows Media plugin
  • The Windows Media Player plugin will only play a specific few Windows media formats (.asf, .asx, .wm, .wma, .wax, .wmp, .wmv, and .wvx) unless the web page is specifically designed for Firefox and other Mozilla browsers. Internet Explorer will use Windows Media Player for many other formats like mp3 and midi, but Firefox will require another plugin, such as QuickTime.
• QuickTime plugin: See Use the QuickTime plugin to play audio and video
  • The QuickTime plugin can handle many different types of embedded media. On older operating systems, the QuickTime plugin may not be configured to handle some common file formats found online, such as embedded .mp3 audio on Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5 and below. In such cases, you need to select the media formats you want QuickTime to play in Firefox in your QuickTime Preferences.

For other, less common, media players and their plugins, see these websites:

• Shockwave
• RealPlayer
• VLC

Update your plugins

Check that you have the latest versions of all your plugins.

• Go to our Plugin Check page and follow the links to update any plugins that are out of date.

Allow Plugin Container in your Internet security program

Allow your Internet security software (including firewalls, antivirus programs, anti-spyware programs, and more) to trust plugin-container.exe also known as Plugin Container for Firefox. For detailed instructions, see Configure firewalls so that Firefox can access the Internet where in that case Firefox means Plugin Container for Firefox.

Disable a conflicting plugin

If you have more than one plugin installed that can handle the same media type, this can cause a conflict that prevents some embedded media from playing. You may be able to fix the issue by disabling one of the plugins.

For example, you may need to disable the VLC plugin to play embedded QuickTime or Windows Media content. For more information about troubleshooting problems caused by plugins, see the Troubleshoot issues with plugins like Flash or Java to fix common Firefox problems article.

Other solutions

Clear the cache

See How to clear the Firefox cache.

Disable interfering extensions or ad-blocking software

• Ad-blocking software, such as anti-banner filters of your Internet Security program, or extensions, such as Flashblock or Adblock Plus, can prevent audio or video content from playing. If the site works with ad-blocking disabled, you may want to add the site to your whitelist in your adblocker filter.
• Any Firefox extension can also block plugins. If the video or audio plays when you disable all extensions, then one of your extensions was causing the problem. For more information, see Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems.

Check some Firefox settings

• Verify that cookies are enabled in the Privacy panel in the OptionsPreferences window. Verify that the site is not blocked in the Cookie Exceptions list.
• Allow the website as an exception in the Firefox pop-up blocker. The "Block pop-up windows" option is found in the Content panel of the OptionsPreferences window.

Remove specific entries in the hosts file (advanced users)

If you use a hosts file, you can temporarily disable it by renaming it Xhosts. Or, you can edit the hosts file to remove specific entries such as ad.doubleclick.net that can cause videos on certain sites to fail (for more information, see this MozillaZine forum thread). To apply changes to your hosts file, you may need to flush the DNS cache by entering the command: ipconfig /flushdns in the Run dialog box on Windows.

Based on information from Video or audio does not play (mozillaZine KB)