Summary: Are you facing ‘Error in Loading Media: File Could Not Be Opened’ message when trying to watch online videos? Learn how to fix this media file error in Chrome, Firefox, Safari and other browsers on Windows, Mac and Android.
You have just enrolled in a self-paced open online course to learn a new skill or to complete your degree while in-between jobs or to watch Billboard’s Top 100 picks to soothe your soul after a long tiring day. Be it for solace or for mere self-help, videos have made a significant impact on our lives and have flooded websites and social media outlets.
However, things may take an abrupt halt when while playing a video on the host website, the screen throws a message – ‘Error in Loading Media: File Could Not Be Opened’. This error although commonly reported in Chrome can occur in any browser, including Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, or others.
So, if you encounter a media file loading error, what will you do? How will you troubleshoot this issue? Here we will share how you can fix the ‘media file could not be played’ error in any browser on PC, Mac, and Android.
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Each time you are encountered with the ‘Media File Could Not Be Played’ error while playing a video, it’s mostly due to a browser issue.
Here are some easy solutions you can try to fix the error on your PC, Mac, or Android phone:
You can quickly fix error loading media file could not be played in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or other browser by using these hacks.
Try the below workarounds that may fix the media loading error on PC, Mac, iPhone, and mobile phone:
Mostly the message ‘Error loading media: File could not be played’ occurs in Safari, Chrome, Opera etc., when there’s an Internet connection problem.
Apart from ensuring good Wi-Fi speed, if you are using VPN, first disconnect and then reconnect from the VPN. Now check if the media file could play smoothly in browser.
Changing browser settings might help you to resolve the ‘Media file could not be played’ error. When you reset, all data including Safari and Chrome other browser settings, extensions, and browsing history are removed.
Steps to reset browser settings in Chrome:
Steps to reset browser settings in Safari on Mac:
To reset Safari to default settings on Mac, you need to remove Safari’s history, cookies, cache, and disable extensions. Here are the quick steps:
Now open the host website of your video in the browser and see if it plays without the error.
If the media file loading error appears in any browser, ensure that you are using the latest version.
Steps to update Chrome browser (on Windows/ Mac)
If you still get the error message, clear cache, and cookies and then play the media file.
Steps to update Safari on Mac:
For steps to update Safari on PC or iPhone, click here.
Installed browsers on your Android phone should automatically update when you have turned on Auto-update apps in Play Store Settings. However, you can also check if there’s a new browser update available to fix the error loading media file could not be played in Android.
Steps to update browser in Android:
Cache and Cookies are a small piece of information that is stored in a web browser’s directory to provide you with a better user experience. Browsers whether Chrome or Internet Explorer tend to store cache and cookies to speed up the loading process; however, with time, these cache & cookies pile up in the system, creating problems such as the ‘Media File Could Not Be Played’ error. Therefore, you must clear all cache, cookies, and browser history on a regular basis.
Steps to delete cache, cookies, and browser history on Chrome:
To clear cache and cookies in other web browsers, go through this link: https://kb.iu.edu/d/ahic
After deleting cache and cookies, try playing the media file. If the issue persists, try playing the media file in incognito mode.
Incognito doesn’t store any cookies and automatically deletes your search and browsing histories. Simply press ‘CTRL + SHIFT + N’ keys to turn on incognito mode. Enter the website link and play the file.
If you’re having trouble playing the video file, this could be due to hardware acceleration. When enabled, hardware acceleration passes graphical intensive tasks within the browser to make it perform better. However, it may be the cause of the ‘Media File Could Not Be Played’ error; therefore, disable it and then play the media file.
Steps to disable hardware acceleration in Chrome on PC/ Mac:
Steps to disable hardware acceleration in Opera:
Note: The latest macOS doesn’t allow to enable or disable hardware acceleration in Safari.
If the ‘Error loading media. The file could not be played’ error is occurring because of browser extensions, disable them.
You can check if the browser extensions are causing the error. Open the video hosting website in Incognito Mode and play its video. If the video plays smoothly without any error, it indicates, an extension is causing the media file error.
Steps to disable extensions in Chrome:
Steps to disable extensions in Safari on Mac:
Can’t play downloaded & saved videos on PC, Mac, Android phone!If you’re unable to play video files saved on your Windows, Mac, or smartphone, utilize a video repair tool to troubleshoot the issue. When files are not completely downloaded or there is an interruption in the transfer process, you’re likely to encounter video playback errors. |
It’s annoying to face ‘Error loading media. The file could not be played in any browser when you want to watch an important video. One of the above methods can help you to fix the media file error in Chrome, Safari, Opera, or another browser on your computers and Android devices.
Do share with our readers in the comment section below stating which method to fix the media file loading error worked in your case.
Sumona is a tech blogger, avid photographer, & technogeek with vast experience in writing about media file recovery tips and tutorials. She has over 10 years of experience in media file recovery/media file repair technology. She is passionate about Photography, Creative Designing, Music, and Exploring lesser-known destinations.
I have tried the mentioned methods to get rid of this error, but the most effective method for me has been disabling the Hardware acceleration that has helped in fixing this error. Thanks for sharing the information.
Hi Mathias, It gives us the pleasure to help our readers in better ways to get a solution to your problems. Mark our blogs/article section as your favorite and stay tuned for more valuable updates.
Hi Mathias,
It gives us the pleasure of helping our readers in better ways to get a solution to your problems. Mark our blogs/article section as your favorite, and stay tuned for more valuable updates.
Hi, Please can you help me, I am unable to view pre recorded lessons from my child’s school on my sons mecer tablet, i have cleared cache, updated chrome, enabled pop ups but it still does not work however the live recorded lessons play on the tablet. Please could you assist me. What could the problem be? We are able to view the recordings on my phone.
Dear Su, you can try our software’s trial version and see preview of the repaired recording. If you like the demo, you can go ahead and buy the software to repair your recordings. Thanks!
I had play a video on VLC media player some duration in time the sound gone. Is it possible your software to fix this issue? Any advice will helpful for me!
Hi Marcus, Yes, our software able to repair all types of corruption and errors found in video frames, sound section. Thanks!
I encounter the same issue on chrome when I launching a video on chrome, I getting the same message” file could not be played”. I already deleted cookies and historic information on chrome and also remove all bookmarks. But the issue is same? Any help would be appreciated!
Hey Christopher, Have you faced the same issue on another browser as well? Here are some suggestion a try:
1. Please ensure that your flash settings are up to date on chrome
2. Does the issue persist in incognito mode?
3. Clearing cache and cookies can be useful
4. Just make sure any malware attack on a system
5. Reset the chrome browser
I hope these tips will help you. Keep me posted.
I had an issue with H264 video codec error when I try to play a video files in Windows Media Player, the video doesn’t play only audio plays. Any advise how to resolve this issue?
Hi Ben, Hi this error occur if a codec that is required to play the file is not fully installed on your computer.
Configure Windows Media Player to download codecs automatically. To do this, follow these steps in Windows Media Player 11:
Please follow these steps:
1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. Click the Player tab, click to select the Download codecs automatically check box, and then click OK.
3. Try to play the file. If you are prompted to install the codec, click Install
If the problem still same please try to install our software Stellar Repair for Video demo version for repair files with sizes less than or equal to 10 MB
I had the issue with chrome, when I try to open the task manager and stop all the background process (extensions). That have to do with chrome. It will say they crashed but don’t worry about it. You describe the ease solutions to fix it. Thanks!
Thanks, Michael!
I had a MacBook 2012 Pro, running OS X 10. I watch HD movies online. Recently I got the message after Play icon ‘error loading media, a file could not be played’. I have recently updated my software updates. Any idea how to resolve this issues?
Dear Crystal, Some video aren’t loading on safari, reset the cookies or please try another browser like chrome. If safari doesn’t load pages for specific sites. Please follow the given steps:
1. Choose Safari > Preferences.
2. Click Extensions.
3. Select an extension, then deselect the checkbox “Enable… extension.” Repeat this step for every extension that’s currently installed.
Thanks for described the most basic ways to fix “Media File Could Not Be Played” Error on Chrome.
Thanks for your feedback!