Fix and Watch Not Playing Videos on Google Drive
Google Drive videos cannot be played? Here’s how we fixed it.
Q：I got a message saying that “The video cannot be played” on Google Drive. How do I open an mp4 file on Google Drive?
We often think that Google Drive is a reliable resource for sharing and saving videos, but it is not entirely risk-free. Many factors can damage the Google Drive video and lead to the error- “The video cannot be played.”
Luckily, most of these errors that arise due to the standard format and compatibility issues are fixable. This article will take you through the different solutions of fixing Google Drive videos not playing error.
You will also learn the common reasons that can lead to Google Drive not playing video error. If the video gets damaged, you can repair it with the Wondershare Video Repair tool. In this article, you will also come across the useful tips for Google Drive videos.
Why Are Videos Not Playing In Google Drive
While playing the video, if Google Drive not playing videos, most of the time, it is the application or the browser that is causing the error.
But, sometimes, it can also be because of the hardware of the computer system.
You will understand here about both the software and the hardware that can cause the Google Drive video error.
Browser version: To meet the requirements of the market, Google keeps on updating its settings.
This can be the reason that video cannot be played on Google Drive because, after updating, the older version cannot provide full functionality.
Third-party plug-in: The plug-in or the extension that you add to your web browser modifies its performance.
However, sometimes the newer introduced feature interferes with the default functionality of the browser. It could also be the reason for Google Drive not playing videos.
File properties: Google Drive doesn’t align with the older and less used video formats. It won’t be able to play files in incompatible formats.
Video Resolution: 1920*1080p is the maximum size supported by Google Drive. Any video that exceeds this resolution fails to load or play on it.
Internet Speed: Google Drive needs stable and high-speed internet to play the video in your cloud storage.
You can’t play the video with slow internet or fluctuating network.
RAM: Google uses the temporary memory of your devices to create files for playing the videos.
If your RAM is low or too bulky, the video will take too long to play, or it will not play at all.
Router Setting: The newer version of internet routers comes with internet limiters and security protocols.
These features may prevent large and non-scannable files from opening.
Depending upon the reason for Google Drive not playing video error, you need to check and fix multiple types of error possibilities.
Solution 1. Check Network Connection
Step 1. Check your internet speed using an online speed tester. If the speed is fine, then skip the next steps and proceed to the second solution. But if the speed is causing trouble, continue with the below steps.
Step 2. Reset the modern and router. Turn them off for a few minutes and then restart them. Resetting their default setting is also an option.
Step 3. Check the LAN cable entering or exiting your modem router and system.
If none of them works, call your network operator with the speed issue.
In case you attain the required speed, the video will work if it is not working, try the other troubleshoots.
Solution 2. Check Browser Version
Open the ‘About Browser’ section of your browser and check its version. Check it whether you are working on the latest available version on the internet. If it’s up to date, skip to the next hack, if not, you need to update it.
You can try downloading the latest browser and install it or update the current browser. Here’s how you can do it in Chrome.
Step 1: Open the ‘About Chrome’ menu by opening Chrome and then navigating to- Setting-> About Chrome. You can also open it by typing ‘chrome://settings’ in the search bar.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Check for Update option.’ Chrome will show you the newest version available and provide you a direct button to install it. Then, you have to relaunch the browser, and you are good to go.
Solution 3. Clear RAM
Clearing the RAM can also work for you. There are multiple ways to so so. Considering you don’t want to install a new RAM, this solution will focus on clearing it.
Again, there are two ways for clearing it. You can start by closing the background application. Does this work? If no, then try clearing the browser cache files. Here’s how to do it in Chrome.
Step 1: Open the chrome option and click on the three-dot button on the upper right side.
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘History’ option and open it. You can also open history windows by click CTRL+H.
Now, click on the ‘Clear browsing data’ option, checkmark the ‘cache and cookie’ option, and click ‘Clear Data.’
Alternatively, you can also access the clear data option by navigating to Chrome Setting->Clear Browsing Data.
Solution 4. Disable Plug-in
Open Chrome and navigate to setting-> more tools-> Extensions. Here, go to the extensions and turn it off using the button under it.
Alternatively, you can also install another browser to verify the error.
Solution 5. Convert the Videos
If none of the above hacks work, then the format and resolution of the video can be the issue. The simplest way to deal with it will be to convert the video.
You can consider doing it using an online website, but it will be best if you use an offline tool, or more preferably, a media player like VLC for converting it. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1- Open VLC and head to the Files-> Open multiple Files. Then click on the ‘Add’ button and upload the files that need conversion.
Step 2- Now, click on the drop-down button next to ‘Play’ and select the ‘Convert’ option in it.
Step 3- VLC will now ask for a path to save the file, output format, and then click the ‘Start’ button. The player will instantly start to convert the video.
Solution 6. Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration enables the browser like Google Chrome to access and use your Graphics Processing Unit or GPU for rendering video results.
If it’s too bulky, the video will fail to render and won’t play. The only way to prevent this problem is to shut down this feature.
Step 1: Open Chrome and navigate to its settings.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Advanced’ option at the bottom of the setting page and then navigate to ‘System.’
Step 3: Now, you will notice a ‘use hardware acceleration when available’ option. Toggle the button next to it and restart the browser. Then run the video to check if it works or not.
Useful Tips for Google Drive Videos
Google Drive is a secure platform for storing and sharing your videos, but as you know, it has room for error.
The following tricks can help you to prevent these errors. They can help you to secure your drive as well as enhance your access to it.
- Keep a tab on the application accessing your Google Drive account. They may be a source of malware or viruses.
- Never share a video with full access unless it is necessary.
- Employ security measures and a secure password so that no one can temper with your Google Drive videos.
- Before uploading the videos, Check the Google Drive specification and convert them accordingly.
- Always use a compatible browser and keep it up to date to get the most out of your Google Drive.
- If possible, use a high compression video format for your Google Drive videos.
- Scan the files for malicious codes before uploading them on your Google Drive.
- Consider synchronizing your drive with your smartphone or PC, so that you can access the video offline.
- Check the video on your Google Drive regularly. If any of them is not working, repair it.
- Try to keep a backup of the video files on Google Drive.
- Create shortcuts and use them for quick access to your data.
- Implement two-way authentication for accessing your Google Drive videos.
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Originally published at https://recoverit.wondershare.com.
