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Video Repair 7 minute read

How to fix ‘Error in Loading Media: File Could Not Be Played’

Updated on April 14th, 2022
Sumona Chatterjee
Written By
Sumona Chatterjee

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.

File Could Not Be Played

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.

Contents

  • How to Fix “Media File Could Not Be Played” Error in browser
  • Quick hacks to fix error in loading media
  • Method 1: Fix your Internet connection
  • Method 2: Reset your browser settings
  • Method 3: Update to the latest version of the browser
  • Method 4: Delete cache, cookies, and browser history
  • Method 5: Play media file in incognito mode
  • Method 6: Turn off hardware acceleration
  • Method 7: Disable browser extensions
  • Can’t play downloaded & saved videos on PC, Mac, Android phone!
  • Conclusion

How to Fix “Media File Could Not Be Played” Error in browser

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:

  1. Fix your Internet connection.
  2. Reset your browser settings.
  3. Update to the latest version of the browser.
  4. Delete cache, cookies, and browser history.
  5. Play the media file in incognito mode.
  6. Turn off hardware acceleration.
  7. Disable browser extensions.

Quick hacks to fix error in loading media

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:

  • Ensure good internet speed on your system.
  • Try to play video in another browser.
  • Open only your source video website. Close all other browser windows.
  • If possible, watch videos in low quality. Click on video Settings > Quality. Select a lower quality (resolution or frame rate) view.

Method 1: Fix your Internet connection

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.

Method 2: Reset your browser settings

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:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Click the three vertical dots on the top-right corner (Customize and control Google Chrome)
  3. Click Settings > Advanced.
  4. On Windows PC: Under Reset and clean up, click 
    On Mac: Click Restore settings to their original defaults.

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:

  • To clear history, from the menu bar, click on Safari and select Clear History followed by All History > Clear History. 
  • To clear cache, click on Safari > Preferences. Go to Advanced > Show Develop menu in menu bar. Exit. Develop > Empty Caches.
  • To delete cookies, click on Safari > Preferences. Click and navigate to Privacy > Manage Website Data > Remove All.

Now open the host website of your video in the browser and see if it plays without the error.

Method 3: Update to the latest version of the browser

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)

  • Open Chrome.
  • Click the three vertical dots on the top-right corner of the toolbar and click Help > About Google Chrome=
Update Chrome to latest window
  • If a new version is available, you will see an option “Update Google Chrome”, else your Google Chrome is up to date. You may see the Relaunch button, if Chrome finds new updates, click on it to finish this process.

If you still get the error message, clear cache, and cookies and then play the media file.

Steps to update Safari on Mac:

  1. From the Apple menu, click on System Preferences.
Apple menu, System Preferences Software update mac
  • Select Software Update. If you don’t see ‘Software Update’ option, go to the App Store to install any updates available.

For steps to update Safari on PC or iPhone, click here.

How to update browser on Android phone?

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:

  • On your Android phone or tablet, open Play Store app.
  • At the top right, tap on your profile icon.
steps to update browser in Android
  • Click on Manage apps & device.
  • Under Updates available, click on See details.
Android Manage apps & device.
  • Scroll down to find Chrome and tap Update to Chrome

Method 4: Delete cache, cookies, and browser history

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:

  • Open Google Chrome browser
  • Click on Settings.
  • Scroll down to Advanced > Privacy and security.
  • Click on Clear browsing data.
Clear Chrome browsing data
  • Click on You can also select the time range of deleting this data from Last hour, 24 hours to All time.
  • Select Browsing history, Download history, Cached images and files, Cookies, and other site data.
Clear Chrome browsing data Advanced options
  • Click Clear Data.

To clear cache and cookies in other web browsers, go through this link: https://kb.iu.edu/d/ahic

How to clear cache, cookies, and browser history on an Android phone?

  • Launch Chrome on your Android device and click on three dots on the top-right.
  • Go to Settings > Privacy.
Settings Chrome in Android
  • Scroll down and select Clear Browsing Data.
  • Set the Time Range to All-time
Chrome Android Clear cache
  • Check Cookies and site data and Cached images and files, and click Clear data.

After deleting cache and cookies, try playing the media file. If the issue persists, try playing the media file in incognito mode.

Method 5: Play 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.

Method 6: Turn off hardware acceleration

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:

  • On the Chrome toolbar, click Settings > Advanced.
Chrome Hardware Acceleration
  • Under System, toggle off the Use hardware acceleration when available option. 

Steps to disable hardware acceleration in Opera:

  1. Go to Settings from the Opera menu.
  2. Select Browser, from the list.
Steps to disable hardware acceleration in Opera
  • Under System, uncheck Use hardware acceleration when available.
  • Restart Opera and check if this fixed the error loading media file.

Note: The latest macOS doesn’t allow to enable or disable hardware acceleration in Safari.

Method 7: Disable browser extensions

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:

  • Open Chrome and click on the three vertical dots.
  • Click More tools > Extensions.
Chrome Disbale Extensions
  • You can choose to Remove or toggle off each extension.
Chrome Extensions
  • Next close the window, reopen the browser, and check if the video error is fixed.

Steps to disable extensions in Safari on Mac:

  1. Choose Safari > Preferences.
  2. Click Extensions.
 disable extensions in Safari on Mac
  • To turn off an extension, uncheck its box on the left. To uninstall an extension, select the extension and click Uninstall.

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.
This is when Stellar Repair for Video is a viable option. You can easily overcome video file corruption using the software, resolve audio-video sync issues, and repair choppy/distorted/grainy/jerky video files.

Download for Windows Download for Mac

Conclusion

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.

About The Author

Sumona Chatterjee

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.

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17 comments

  1. Mathias Bordelo says:
    April 21, 2022 at 5:34 pm

    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.

    Reply
    1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
      April 29, 2022 at 11:07 am

      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.

      Reply
    2. Sumona Chatterjee says:
      April 29, 2022 at 11:08 am

      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.

      Reply
  2. Su says:
    October 28, 2020 at 8:09 pm

    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.

    Reply
    1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
      October 30, 2020 at 9:20 am

      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!

      Reply
  3. Marcus Zarra says:
    December 13, 2018 at 10:32 am

    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!

    Reply
    1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
      December 18, 2018 at 3:22 am

      Hi Marcus, Yes, our software able to repair all types of corruption and errors found in video frames, sound section. Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Christopher Baffa says:
    September 21, 2018 at 10:38 am

    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!

    Reply
    1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
      September 24, 2018 at 3:19 am

      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.

      Reply
  5. Ben Travers says:
    August 23, 2018 at 10:57 am

    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?

    Reply
    1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
      August 24, 2018 at 5:59 am

      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

      Reply
  6. Michael Chavez says:
    July 25, 2018 at 2:21 am

    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!

    Reply
    1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
      July 26, 2018 at 3:10 am

      Thanks, Michael!

      Reply
  7. Crystal Stokes says:
    June 26, 2018 at 10:35 am

    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?

    Reply
    1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
      June 29, 2018 at 3:26 am

      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.

      Reply
  8. Taylor Casti says:
    May 10, 2018 at 10:27 am

    Thanks for described the most basic ways to fix “Media File Could Not Be Played” Error on Chrome.

    Reply
    1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
      May 16, 2018 at 6:07 am

      Thanks for your feedback!

      Reply

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Table of Contents    

  1. How to Fix “Media File Could Not Be Played” Error in browser
  2. Quick hacks to fix error in loading media
  3. Method 1: Fix your Internet connection
  4. Method 2: Reset your browser settings
  5. Method 3: Update to the latest version of the browser
  6. Method 4: Delete cache, cookies, and browser history
  7. Method 5: Play media file in incognito mode
  8. Method 6: Turn off hardware acceleration
  9. Method 7: Disable browser extensions
  10. Can’t play downloaded & saved videos on PC, Mac, Android phone!
  11. Conclusion

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