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Videos of all types have suddenly stopped playing

  • 4 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Two days ago videos of all types have stopped playing in Firefox. YouTube and other Flash Videos. The videos show up on screen but the buffer wheel keeps on spinning and the videos never play. These same videos play sucessfully on Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers. I have tried the following with no success. Firefox still does not work playing videos.

I first tried disabling all extensions (still not working), did a Firefox reset (still not working), Uninstalled and Reinstalled Firefox (still not working). On the Reinstall all extensions were removed and the AddOns automatically installed were Shockwave Flash version 28.00.137, Widevine Content Decryption Module provided by Google Inc. version 1.4.8.1008, and OpenH264 Video Codec provided by Cisco Systems, Inc. version 1.7.1

Please help

Two days ago videos of all types have stopped playing in Firefox. YouTube and other Flash Videos. The videos show up on screen but the buffer wheel keeps on spinning and the videos never play. These same videos play sucessfully on Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers. I have tried the following with no success. Firefox still does not work playing videos. I first tried disabling all extensions (still not working), did a Firefox reset (still not working), Uninstalled and Reinstalled Firefox (still not working). On the Reinstall all extensions were removed and the AddOns automatically installed were Shockwave Flash version 28.00.137, Widevine Content Decryption Module provided by Google Inc. version 1.4.8.1008, and OpenH264 Video Codec provided by Cisco Systems, Inc. version 1.7.1 Please help

Chosen solution

Finally found a solution that was provided to another user with the same problem. Here is the link.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1204912

Solution was: Try disabling graphics hardware acceleration in Firefox. Since this feature was added to Firefox it has gradually improved but there are still a few glitches.

Once I disabled the hardware acceleration my videos will now play.

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All Replies (4)

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You can check the Web Console (Tools -> Web Developer) for messages about blocked content and about the presence of mixed or unsafe content.

You can check the Network Monitor to see if content is blocked or otherwise fails to load.

If necessary use "Ctrl+F5" or "Ctrl+Shift+R" (Mac: Command+Shift+R) to reload the page and bypass the cache to generate a fresh log.


You can create a new profile to test if your current profile is causing the problem.

See "Creating a profile":

If the new profile works then you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.

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Checked Web Console and do not see any messages about blocked content or the presence of mixed or unsafe content.

Checked the Network Monitor and no content appears as blocked

I then set up a new profile and restarted Firefox using the new profile and the loading of a Youtube video still hangs.

I tried starting Firefox in Safe Mode and Youtube videos sucessfully played.

I don't understand why using a new profile with a new install of firefox would still lead to the same problem.

Any other suggestions. Otherwise it is bye bye Firefox after many many years as my default browser and onto Chrome or Edge.

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Chosen Solution

Finally found a solution that was provided to another user with the same problem. Here is the link.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1204912

Solution was: Try disabling graphics hardware acceleration in Firefox. Since this feature was added to Firefox it has gradually improved but there are still a few glitches.

Once I disabled the hardware acceleration my videos will now play.

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That was very good work. Well done. Please flag your last post as Solved Problem so others will know.


Separate Security Issue: Update your Flash Player or remove it using these links; http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html Uninstall Flash Player | Windows http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html Uninstall Flash Player | Mac

Note: Windows users should download the ActiveX for Internet Explorer. and the plugin for Plugin-based browsers (like Firefox).

Note: Windows 8 and Windows 10 have built-in flash players and Adobe will cause a conflict. Install the plugin only. Not the ActiveX.

Flash Player Version: Version 29.0.0.171

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Direct link scans current system and browser Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only>

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/ Step 1: Select Operating System Step 2: Select A Version (Firefox, Win IE . . . .) Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only> +++++++++++++++++++ See if there are updates for your graphics drivers https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration