Are you getting failure every time you attempt to play any video on Mac? Are you thinking about what is causing an obstacle in playing videos? The reason can’t be one. So many factors can stop videos from playing suddenly.
Whether watching a video on a Mac default media player or a YouTube video, it is common that the video may stop playing. Read on to discover why video not playing on Mac is a prominent issueand how you can resume watching them.
Signs Videos Are Not Playing
A corrupted video file would not respond even after clicking multiple times on that file. Your default media player would not open at all. If you find that a video takes about more than 15 seconds to play, it means the file is corrupted.
Another possible sign of a corrupted video file is missing file segments. The video might fast forward to about 15 to 20 minutes in the movie. Seeing an error – Can’t open the media file, and certain audio and video misalignment would be due to corrupted files.
What Makes Videos Not Play?
The high-quality video file might get corrupted due to multiple reasons. For example, accidentally lose a few sections vital for reading and making sense of a file. Uneven video editing, sudden power loss, and damaged header might also be a reason.
Using unreliable software when you don’t know how to record videos on Mac can affect the video quality. This may stop playback. Mac wouldn’t play videos due to viruses or malware, network interruption during downloading, unsupported format, and wrong video processing.
● Re-Download the Video

If the video you are playing is downloaded from the web, download it again from the same source. However, if the video corruption on the SD card is the major cause, copy it once more. Usually, Mac users access the default player – QuickTime, on a macOS device.
It helps in saving time while opening a media file by preventing long searches. But this player has a few format limitations. If these things don’t sort out the issue, try the following tips one-by-one in a step-by-step format.
● Activate JavaScript in Mac Browser
Sometimes, it happens that a user accidentally disables the JavaScript in their Mac browser. This can create an impact on video playback no matter playing it on YouTube or another website. So, check JavaScript, and if it is turned off, enable it.
Click the Preferences button in Mac’s Safari browser. Hit on the Security option and tick the box closest to the ‘Enable JavaScript’ tab. A similar process can be followed for other browsers, such as Chrome and Firefox.
● Delete Browser Cache
Most websites you accessed already get cached or saved locally. Hence, they would not register immediately whenever you make any modifications in your browser. To solve this matter, you will need to force-refresh those sites by removing the cache files of a browser.
If you are using Safari, first open this browser and then access the Preferences option. Access the Advanced option and tick the “Show Develop menu in the menu bar” option. Choose Develop, click Empty Caches, and restart Safari. Use regular settings for Firefox or Chrome.
● Use a Private Window
When online video not playing on Macin Safari also becomes a thing, try opening it in a private window. This method will help in verifying whether any browser extensions avoid an effective video playback.
Opening a private window is a childish game on Mac. Simply select File in the Safari app and then click New Private Window. This window will open with a dark Smart Search section. If this tip helps in playing video, find which extension prevents video playback.
Other Essential Tips You Can Try

If you find that some extensions stop videos from playing in a usual browser window, remove them. Select Extensions in Preferences and if you see any unknown extensions, drag them to Trash. You can use third-party apps to find and clear known extensions.
Another thing you can try is to refresh your Mac browser. The process relies on the browser you’re using. If you are watching a flash-based video on an earlier version, then reinstall the Adobe Flash Player. Also, try scanning your Mac for virus threats and malware.
The Conclusion
The troubleshooting tips depend on whether you are trying to play a video on a Mac computer or a browser. To get the problem resolved quickly, simply follow the recommended steps. You can also check if the video format is supported by the media player you are using.
To prevent video playing issues, it’s good to use some important precautionary hacks. Regularly install an updated browser version to remove small bugs affecting the watching experience. Use a fast internet connection and get cache memory cleared regularly.