How to Fix Online/Offline Videos Not Playing on Your Mac

Lynn Hu
Apr 09, 2024 / Updated by Lynn Hu to Video Fix

Nothing beats the feeling of getting excited about watching your favorite movie online or from your local files on Mac! Therefore, you’ll get pure frustration when you find out your MacBook is not playing videos. You are probably wondering what’s going on with your Mac right now. For this concern, the entire page will show you everything you need to know why your videos aren’t playing and what ways you can do to fix videos not playing on Mac. Read on now!

Why Are Your Videos Not Playing on Mac

Why won't videos play on Mac? Video corruption is a significant suspect that triggers the problem, but it actually happens for a variety of reasons. Before sorting out the solutions to get out of this problem, looking out for the possible grounds that cause the video playback issue is a big help to fix videos not playing on Mac immediately.

So, given below are some of the potential signs that show the videos not playing on Mac.

4 Ways to Fix Local Videos Not Playing on Mac

Your next stop is knowing how to solve videos on Mac not playing, including MP4, AVI, MOV, and more video file formats from your local files. Follow the four detailed instructions below and get your videos on Mac to work more smoothly than ever.

Way 1. Make Use of VLC Media Player Software on Mac

Suppose you discover that the default QuickTime Player on Mac isn’t able to play your video, you can look out for another software like VLC Media Player. As QuickTime also has limited reach in terms of file formats, VLC is a great alternative to play video files, covering MP4, MOV, MKV, FLV, AVI, WMV, and so on, without any hassle. Make sure to download and install the VLC Media Player, and fix videos not playing on Mac!

Step 1.To play your video on Mac, locate your video, then right-click on it and choose "Get Info" from the drop-down menu.

Step 2.In the "Open With" option, pick "VLC" from the left side menu, and click the "Change All" option to apply the changes in every video you play.

Use VLC Media Player

Way 2. Do a Scanning for Viruses and Malware.

Another big factor that can lead to videos on Mac not playing problem is that your Mac contains viruses and malware. Though your Mac system includes security like the Malware Removal Tool, some malware that affects your device is persistent and goes into your system. Therefore, having trustworthy antivirus software that scans and eliminates viruses thoroughly from your Mac is necessary.

Way 3. Download and Install the Latest Codecs on Mac.

The video playback issue could be caused by outdated or missing the needed video codecs, thus, getting the latest ones can fix Mac not play videos. So, to download the needed codecs for the default QuickTime Player on Mac, you simply have to update your system software.

Go to the "Apple" menu and favor "System Preferences"; then, once the window opens, click the "Software Update" option. Then, see if the latest version of the OS is shown, click the "Upgrade Now" button.

Install Latest Codecs

Way 4. Convert the Video File to Another Format.

Concerning the compatibility issue of the video file to the QuickTime Player, which is why you have the MacBook video playback crisis now, convert your video file to MOV today. You can get it done with QuickTime Player or VLC on Mac. Assume you’re using the default player now; here are the detailed steps you can follow.

Step 1.Find your way to the video you intend to play, right-click on it to see a list of options, select "Open With", and choose "QuickTime Player" from the side menu.

Step 2.Click the "File" tab, go down to the "Export As" option, and select "1080p" on the side menu. Determine the location next to where to save your video, then click the "Save" button.

Step 3.After that, your video is saved into MOV format, perfectly compatible with QuickTime Player.

Convert to Another Format

How to Fix Safari is Not Playing Online Videos on Mac

Facing the videos not playing on Mac is not just exclusive to local files; online videos can experience that as well. Now, if you’re using your Safari browser and encounter video playback on YouTube, Facebook, and other social media platforms, attempt to fix Mac video not working in the following three ways.

Way 1. Switch to the Safari Private Windows.

The first solution you should try whenever you face Safari not playing videos on Mac is to open them in a private window. It will assist you in figuring out if the issue happens due to extensions. Here’s how to execute it:

Step 1.Locate the Safari icon on your Mac desktop screen on the "Dock", right-click, and pick "New Private Window".

Step 2.Once inside the Private Window, copy-paste the "URL" of the video you wish to play onto the search bar and check whether it plays.

Swicth to a New Private Window

Way 2. Get Rid of Cache in Safari.

The cache sometimes could be too cluttered, which affects the video playback. So, clear up the cache saved in your Safari browser to solve videos not playing on Mac.

Step 1.Inside the Safari browser, go to "Preferences" in the "Safari App Menu" above and select the "Advanced" section. You should check the "Show Develop menu in menu bar" box.

Step 2.After that, move to the menu bar above and choose the "Develop" tab. Keep the "Option + Command + E" keys on hold and select the "Empty Caches" option. Reopen your browser and check if your videos not playing again.

Empty Cache

Way 3. Eliminate Third-Party Extensions.

Besides faulty caches, another root cause for the problem of videos not playing on Safari is problematic extensions that block you from playing the videos. If you haven't checked them, it’s nice if you do so.

Step 1.Once the Safari browser runs, click the "Safari App Menu" icon at the top and select Preferences. In that window, go to the "Extensions" widget.

Step 2.Now, determine the third-party extension that may be problematic, and click the "Uninstall" button. Apply the same steps for all faulty extensions.

Eliminate Extensions

How to Fix Corrupted Videos Not Playing on Mac

After all those solutions, still, nothing happens to your video; it would really need some repair to troubleshoot video playback issues on Mac. If you think it doesn't have a chance to be played again on your Mac, you may change this thinking once you get to know the AnyRec Video Repair. It is a repair software that can transform your problematic video into a working one without sacrificing the quality. In just one click, after adding your corrupted video file and sample video, this tool will start doing its magic. Furthermore, this software repairs all videos, regardless of where they came from, like cameras, phones, computers, etc.

 AnyRec Video Repair Product Box
AnyRec Video Repair

Fix your corrupted Mac videos and play them easily with no issue.

Offer a preview to confirm if the repaired videos satisfy your requirements.

Able to save the fixed Mac videos in MOV format with no format issue.

Doesn't affect the original quality and file structure before and after repair.

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

Step 1.Start the method by opening the AnyRec Video Repair. Open your corrupted video file to the left "Add" button, then the sample video on the right "Add" button.

AnyRec Add Corrupt and Sample Videos

Step 2.Afterward, proceed to click the "Repair" button to initiate the fixing procedure. Once you get the result, click the "Preview" button to see if the fixed video is excellent for you.

AnyRec Repair Video

Step 3.Finally, check the parameters below your video to confirm that they’re fine, leading you to click the "Save" button.

AnyRec Save Repaired Video
Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

FAQs

Conclusion

You see here the various reasons with corresponding solutions to fix videos not playing on Mac, whether you face it on your local files or online streaming platforms. Among the fixes discussed, such as eliminating cache, converting, installing codecs, and all, if the root of the issue is video corruption, there’s no better way than AnyRec Video Repair. It fixes unplayable Mac videos from whatever devices in high quality. Try this solution today and get all your Mac videos back on track!

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

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