Sometimes, the video or audio content in a web page cannot be properly downloaded and displayed in Firefox. A required plugin may be missing, outdated, in conflict with another plugin or extension, or the content may be blocked for some reason. This article will help you solve these problems. __TOC__ = Install missing plugins = Although Firefox can display some media on web pages such as images and [[Viewing video in Firefox without a plugin#w_what-is-open-media| open media]] like Ogg {for not fx35}and WebM{/for} videos, it may need the help of media players and browser plugins for video, audio, and other content. Although you may have the correct media players installed to play video and audio files, you may be missing the necessary plugins when the media is ''embedded'' within the web page itself. When a plugin is missing, do the following: # Click on the download link.<br>[[Image:Plugin Needed]] # Then follow the instructions. In case the installation fails, install it manually. * '''Flash plugin''': See [[How do I install the Flash plugin?]] and [[Managing the Flash plugin]] ** The Flash plugin is used for many types of embedded audio and video, including YouTube.com videos. * '''Java plugin''': [[Using the Java plugin with Firefox]] * '''Silverlight plugin''': See [[Using the Silverlight plugin with Firefox]] * '''Windows Media Player plugin''': See [[Using the Windows Media Player plugin with Firefox]] ** The Windows Media Player plugin will only play a specific few Windows media formats (.asf, .asx, .wm, .wma, .wax, .wmp, .wmv, and .wvx) unless the web page is specifically designed for Firefox and other Mozilla browsers. Internet Explorer will use Windows Media Player for many other formats like mp3 and midi, but Firefox will require another plugin, such as QuickTime. * '''QuickTime plugin''': See [[Using the QuickTime plugin with Firefox]] ** The QuickTime plugin can handle many different types of embedded media. On older operating systems, the QuickTime plugin may not be configured to handle some common file formats found online, such as embedded .mp3 audio on Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5 and below. In such cases, you need to select the media formats you want QuickTime to play in Firefox in your QuickTime Preferences. For other uncommon embedded media, see [[Using the Shockwave plugin with Firefox]], [[Using the RealPlayer plugin with Firefox]], and the [http://www.videolan.org/ VLC download page] at videolan.org = Update your plugins = Check that you have the latest versions of all your plugins. *Go to our [http://www.mozilla.com/plugincheck Plugin Check] page and follow the links to update any plugins that are out of date. = Disable a conflicting plugin = If you have more than one plugin installed that can handle the same [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_media_type media type], this can cause a conflict that prevents some embedded media from playing. You may be able to fix the issue by disabling one of the plugins. #[[T:Open Add-ons|type=Plugins]] #In the list of plugins, select the plugin you wish to troubleshoot. #*If you want to disable the plugin, click the {button Disable} button. #*If you want to re-enable the plugin, click the {button Enable} button For example, you may need to disable the VLC plugin to play embedded QuickTime or Windows Media content. For more information about troubleshooting problems caused by plugins, see the [[Troubleshooting plugins]] article. = Disable extensions= Sometimes a Firefox extension can block plugins or otherwise prevent audio or video content from playing. If the video or audio plays when you disable all extensions, then one of your extensions was causing the problem. For more information, see [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]]. = Other solutions = *Clear the cache (see [[How to clear the cache]]). <!-- https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=594327 --> * Verify that cookies are enabled in the '''Privacy''' panel in the [[Options window - Privacy panel|{for win}Options{/for}{for mac,linux}Preferences{/for}]] window. Verify that the site is not blocked in the Cookie Exceptions list. * Allow the website as an exception in the Firefox pop-up blocker. The "Block pop-up windows" option is found in the '''Content''' panel of the [[Options window - Content panel|{for win}Options{/for}{for mac,linux}Preferences{/for}]] window. *Verify that JavaScript is enabled in the '''Content''' panel of the [[Options window - Content panel|{for win}Options{/for}{for mac,linux}Preferences{/for}]] window. <!-- https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=449358 --> *Disable any ad-blocking software or Firefox extensions, such as Adblock or Adblock Plus. If the site works with ad-blocking disabled, you may want to add the site to your whitelist in your adblocker filter. * '''Advanced users:''' If you use a Windows [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_file hosts file], you can temporarily disable it by renaming it {filepath Xhosts}. Or, you can edit the hosts file to remove specific entries such as '''ad.doubleclick.net''' that can cause videos on certain sites to fail (for more information, see this [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2862303#2862303 MozillaZine forum thread]). To apply changes to your hosts file, you may need to flush the DNS cache by entering the command: <code>ipconfig /flushdns</code> in the Run dialog box in Windows. [[T:amo]] <!-- MZ credit --> <br/> <br/> '''''Based on information from [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Video_or_audio_does_not_play Video or audio does not play (mozillaZine KB)]'''''

Sometimes, the video or audio content in a web page cannot be properly downloaded and displayed in Firefox. A required plugin may be missing, outdated, in conflict with another plugin or extension, or the content may be blocked for some reason. This article will help you solve these problems.

Install missing plugins

Although Firefox can display some media on web pages such as images and open media like Ogg and WebM videos, it may need the help of media players and browser plugins for video, audio, and other content. Although you may have the correct media players installed to play video and audio files, you may be missing the necessary plugins when the media is embedded within the web page itself.

When a plugin is missing, do the following:

1. Click on the download link.
   
2. Then follow the instructions.

In case the installation fails, install it manually.

• Flash plugin: See Install the Flash plugin to view videos, animations and games and Flash Plugin - Keep it up to date and troubleshoot problems
  • The Flash plugin is used for many types of embedded audio and video, including YouTube.com videos.
• Java plugin: Use the Java plugin to view interactive content on websites
• Silverlight plugin: See Use the Silverlight plugin to play audio and video
• Windows Media Player plugin: See Play Windows Media files in Firefox with the Windows Media plugin
  • The Windows Media Player plugin will only play a specific few Windows media formats (.asf, .asx, .wm, .wma, .wax, .wmp, .wmv, and .wvx) unless the web page is specifically designed for Firefox and other Mozilla browsers. Internet Explorer will use Windows Media Player for many other formats like mp3 and midi, but Firefox will require another plugin, such as QuickTime.
• QuickTime plugin: See Use the QuickTime plugin to play audio and video
  • The QuickTime plugin can handle many different types of embedded media. On older operating systems, the QuickTime plugin may not be configured to handle some common file formats found online, such as embedded .mp3 audio on Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5 and below. In such cases, you need to select the media formats you want QuickTime to play in Firefox in your QuickTime Preferences.

For other uncommon embedded media, see Using the Shockwave plugin with Firefox, Fix problems with RealPlayer add-ons, and the VLC download page at videolan.org

Update your plugins

Check that you have the latest versions of all your plugins.

• Go to our Plugin Check page and follow the links to update any plugins that are out of date.

Disable a conflicting plugin

If you have more than one plugin installed that can handle the same media type, this can cause a conflict that prevents some embedded media from playing. You may be able to fix the issue by disabling one of the plugins.

1. Click the menu button , click Add-ons and themes and select Plugins.
2. In the list of plugins, select the plugin you wish to troubleshoot.
   • If you want to disable the plugin, click the Disable button.
   • If you want to re-enable the plugin, click the Enable button

For example, you may need to disable the VLC plugin to play embedded QuickTime or Windows Media content. For more information about troubleshooting problems caused by plugins, see the Troubleshoot issues with plugins like Flash or Java to fix common Firefox problems article.

Disable extensions

Sometimes a Firefox extension can block plugins or otherwise prevent audio or video content from playing. If the video or audio plays when you disable all extensions, then one of your extensions was causing the problem. For more information, see Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems.

Other solutions

• Clear the cache (see How to clear the Firefox cache).
• Verify that cookies are enabled in the Privacy panel in the OptionsPreferences window. Verify that the site is not blocked in the Cookie Exceptions list.
• Allow the website as an exception in the Firefox pop-up blocker. The "Block pop-up windows" option is found in the Content panel of the OptionsPreferences window.
• Verify that JavaScript is enabled in the Content panel of the OptionsPreferences window.
• Disable any ad-blocking software or Firefox extensions, such as Adblock or Adblock Plus. If the site works with ad-blocking disabled, you may want to add the site to your whitelist in your adblocker filter.
• Advanced users: If you use a Windows hosts file, you can temporarily disable it by renaming it Xhosts. Or, you can edit the hosts file to remove specific entries such as ad.doubleclick.net that can cause videos on certain sites to fail (for more information, see this MozillaZine forum thread). To apply changes to your hosts file, you may need to flush the DNS cache by entering the command: ipconfig /flushdns in the Run dialog box in Windows.

In addition, there may be third-party Firefox extensions that can help you. For more information on searching for and installing extensions, see Find and install add-ons to add features to Firefox.

Based on information from Video or audio does not play (mozillaZine KB)