How to Fix Videos Not Playing on Chrome in 2025

So for some reason, Chrome has stopped playing most videos. I can't seem to stream anything from Amazon Prime. I tried watching the Youtube movies that are free with ads such as Beverly HIlls Cop and I get this "Your browser can't play this video." -- Freom Chrome Community

If you’ve ever encountered the frustrating issue of videos not playing on Chrome, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective solutions to get your videos playing smoothly on Chrome again. Whether it’s a streaming platform, a local file, or an embedded video, these fixes will help you get back to uninterrupted viewing in no time!

Part 1. Why are Videos Not Playing in Chrome?

When videos don't play in Chrome, there are a few common reasons behind the trouble. To get those videos rolling, it's crucial to figure out what's causing the hiccup. Let's take a look at some of the usual suspects:

• Outdated Browser or Extensions: An outdated version of Chrome or incompatible extensions can disrupt video playback.
• Corrupted Cache or Cookies: Accumulated cache or corrupted cookies may interfere with video loading.
• Missing or Outdated Codecs: Chrome may lack the necessary codecs to play certain video formats.
• Hardware Acceleration Issues: Enabling or disabling hardware acceleration can sometimes cause playback problems.
• Incorrect Browser Settings: Misconfigured settings, such as JavaScript or Flash settings, can block videos.
• Network or Connectivity Problems: Slow or unstable internet connections can prevent videos from streaming properly.
• Unsupported Video Formats: Chrome may not support certain video formats, leading to playback failures.
• Conflicts with Third-Party Software: Antivirus or firewall programs might block video content.
• Outdated Graphics Drivers: Old or incompatible graphics drivers can affect video rendering.
• Corrupted Chrome Installation: A damaged Chrome installation can cause various playback issues.

Part 2. 9 Ways to Fix Videos Not Playing in Chrome

Are you facing the frustrating issue of videos not playing in Google Chrome? Don't worry; there are several simple ways to troubleshoot and resolve this problem. In this guide, we will explore 9 effective methods to fix video playback issues on Chrome.

Way 1: Update Chrome to Fix Chrome Not Playing Videos

When your video is not playing in Chrome, updating your Chrome browser is often the first step to take. By keeping your browser current, you will be able to take advantage of the latest features, bug fixes, and compatibility with modern video formats. Here's how to do it:

• Go to your computer's web browser and open Google Chrome.
• From the drop-down menu that appears when you click the three vertical dots located in the top-right corner of Chrome, select "Help.".
• The submenu will appear. From the options provided, select "About Google Chrome".
• In case of available updates, Chrome will automatically begin updating. To restart Chrome after the update is complete, click the "Relaunch" button.

Way 2: Turn on JavaScript to Fix Videos not Loading on Chrome

A common reason for videos not playing on Chrome is when JavaScript is disabled. Video playback is enabled on websites using JavaScript, a programming language. Videos will play more smoothly if JavaScript is enabled. Following these steps will allow JavaScript to again:

• Select "Settings" from the three-dot menu at the top right corner of your Chrome browser.
• Click on "Privacy and security" in the left pane and select "Site Settings”.

• Scroll down and select JavaScript. Click the button next to "Blocked" to enable JavaScript.
• Restart Chrome.

Way 3: Clear Cache and Cookies in Chrome

In some cases, cached data stored by Chrome may cause conflicts and prevent videos from playing correctly. Chrome can be refreshed, and potential conflicts can be resolved by clearing the cache and cookies. Here's how to do it:

• Go to Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu icon.
• You can clear browsing data by selecting "More tools" > "Clear browsing data."
• Optionally, you can choose a specific time range to clear the data from by selecting "Cached images and files" and "Cookies."
• The selected items can be removed by clicking the "Clear data" button.
• After clearing the cache and cookies, revisit the website or video page and check if the videos can now play without any issues.

Way 4: Turn Off Chrome Extensions

In Google Chrome, video playback may be interfered with by conflicting or outdated browser extensions. You can troubleshoot this issue by temporarily turning off all extensions and then checking if the videos play. If the videos work without any problems after turning off the extensions, you can enable them one by one to identify the specific extension causing the problem. Here's how:

• Chrome's three-dot menu can be found at the top-right corner.
• Select "Extensions" under "More tools”.
• In the Extensions tab, you'll see a list of installed extensions.
• Turn off all extensions by toggling the blue switch next to each extension to the off position.
• Restart Chrome and check if the videos can play now.

Way 5: Turn Off Chrome's Hardware Acceleration to Fix Videos Won't Play

In order to improve performance, hardware acceleration offloads some tasks to the GPU on your computer. Video playback can sometimes be affected by this. It may be necessary to turn off hardware acceleration in Chrome if the problem persists. Here's how to do it:

• Open Google Chrome.
• In the top-right corner, click on the three-dot menu icon.
• Select Settings
• Scroll down to the bottom and click on Advanced
• In the System section, toggle off Use hardware acceleration when available
• Restart Chrome.

Way 6: Solve Chrome Video Playback Issues with HitPaw UniVD

If Chrome isn’t playing a video due to format compatibility issues, try using HitPaw Univd. It can convert videos to Chrome-supported formats like MP4 (H.264) so they play smoothly without errors.

The Outstanding Features in HitPaw Univd

• Wide Format Support: Converts videos to Chrome-compatible formats like MP4, WebM, and more, ensuring seamless playback.
• AI-Powered Conversion: Utilizes advanced AI technology for fast and high-quality video conversion.
• User-Friendly Interface: Simple and intuitive design, making it easy for anyone to use, even without technical expertise.
• Batch Conversion: Allows you to convert multiple videos at once, saving time and effort.
• High-Speed Processing: Optimized for quick conversions without compromising video quality.
• Preserves Video Quality: Maintains the original resolution and clarity of your videos during conversion.
• Customizable Output Settings: Offers options to adjust resolution, bitrate, and other settings for optimal playback on Chrome.
• Supports 4K and HD Videos: Handles high-resolution videos, perfect for modern content.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on both Windows and Mac, making it accessible to all users.

With these features, HitPaw Univd is a reliable solution to fix video playback issues in Chrome by converting unsupported formats into ones that work seamlessly.

How to Convert Videos to Fix Chrome Not Playing Videos

Here's a simple guide on how to convert videos in HitPaw Univd:

• Step 1:Free download and install HitPaw Univd to computer.

• Step 2:Import videos to HitPaw Univd.

  

• Step 3:Click the Convert all to button to expand the output format list. In the Video category, you can select MP4 as the output format.

  

• Step 4:Click the Convert All button to start converting videos.

  

• Step 5:After conversion, you can access the converted files from the Converted tab. You can play the video with the free built-in HitPaw Player directly.

  

Way 7: Enable Flash Player to Fix Videos Not Playing on Chrome

Enabling Flash Player is another way to address video playback issues in Chrome. This method can be useful for websites that still rely on Flash content. Here's how to enable Flash Player:

• Open Google Chrome on your PC
• Open the website that you can’t play videos from
• Select the lock or info icon on the left of the browser address bar
• From the pop-up list, find the Flash and allow it.

Way 8: Reset Chrome Settings

Resetting Chrome settings can be an effective way to address video playback issues, especially when extensions or other programs have altered the settings. Here's how to reset Chrome settings:

• Launch Chrome on your computer and click on the three-dotted icon in the upper-right corner
• Navigate to Settings
• Click Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults > Reset Settings.
• Reload the website to play the video again

Way 9. Repair Corrupt Video

Sometimes, videos can become corrupt or unplayable due to various reasons. If you have a damaged video file, you can use a video repair tool like HitPaw VikPea. This tool is known for its ability to fix corrupted video files ande enhance videos.

• Download and install HitPaw VikPea to your computer.
• Launch it and locate the Video Repair module. You can choose the best video scenario based on the issue of your videos.

• Import your files and start repair. When it shows "Repair Completed", click Download or Export All button to get the repaired video files.

Part 3. FAQs

The Bottom Line

When videos won't play on Chrome in 2024, don’t hesitate to use the 9 potential solutions to fix. If the regular tips don’t work, you can download the videos to your computer and play them via local player. HitPaw Univd is the recommended video converter that supports converting videos to Chrome supported formats without losing quality.