Solutions to “Error Loading Media File Could Not Be Played”

Summary: Getting the “Error loading media file” message on the video player? Get to know the primary fixes and check out 4 solutions to fix the issue. We’ll also introduce you to the easiest, simplest, quickest solution: Stellar Repair for Video.

“Error loading media file could not be played” – that’s an error message we’ve all seen. This is how the screen looks like:

The issue usually occurs in Google Chrome. However, the issue can occur in every popular browser such as Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Opera.

You can check if your internet connection is stable or open only the source video website to fix the issue. However, if that doesn’t fix the issue, the problem lies deeper.

Also Read: How to Fix the Unsupported Video Format Error on Windows 10?

However, don’t worry. This article will tell you how to fix the issue. In the next five minutes, you’ll learn how to fix the issue of “Error loading media: file could not be played.”

Also Read: Fix Error Code: 232011 (This Video Cannot Be Played)

The complete guide will discuss:

• Playing the media file in incognito mode to fix the error
• Disabling browser extensions to fix the error 
• Deleting browser history, cookies, and cache to fix the error 
• Using Stellar Repair for Video to fix the error
• A final suggestion on which way to fix the error loading media file issue should you choose 

Let’s begin.

Error Loading Media File – 4 Ways to Fix the Issue

1. Play the Media File in Incognito Mode

Here’s how you can do the same:

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Click on the icon with the three dots on the upper-right-hand side of the toolbar. 

3. Select a new incognito window.

Alternatively, press CTRL + Shift + N to open a new incognito window.

The reason the process works is that sometimes browser extensions can cause the error loading media file issue. Incognito mode disables all extensions and allows you to browse privately. Thus, the issue fixes itself.

Also Read: Error Code 224003 – ‘This Video File Cannot Be Played’

2. Disable Browser Extensions

Here’s how to do it on Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Click on the icon with the three dots on the upper-right-hand side of the toolbar. 

3. Click on More tools > Extensions.

4. Remove or toggle off each extension.

5. Close the window and reopen the browser to check if the video error is fixed.

Furthermore, here’s how to disable browser extensions on Safari on Mac:

1. Click on Safari > Preferences.
2. Click on Extensions.

3. Uncheck the box placed to the left beside each extension. If you want to uninstall the extension, select the extension and click on Uninstall.

3. Delete Browser History, Cookies, and Cache

Here’s how you can do it on Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Click on Settings.

3. Select Advanced > Privacy and security.

4. Click on clear browsing data.

5. Select the time range for deleting data.

6. Select download history, browsing history, cookies, cached files and images, and other site data.

7. Click on clear data.

Furthermore, here’s how to do the same on Android:

1. Open Chrome and click on the three dots on the top right. 
2. Click on Settings > Privacy.
3. Select Clear Browsing data.
4. Set the time range to All-time.
5. Select site data, cached images and files, and cookies.
6. Click on clear data.

Also Read: VIDEO DXGKRNL FATAL ERROR in Windows 10 [Fixed]

4. Use Stellar Repair for Video – To Fix Error Loading Media File Issue

Stellar Repair for Video is the best video repair software to fix the error loading media file issue. 

Also Read: How to Get Activation Key of Stellar Repair for Video?

Check out how you can use the software to fix the issue:

1. Click on Add File

2. Select the option Repair

3. Select ‘Save Repaired Files’

Here’s why you should choose Stellar Repair for Video to fix the issue:

Also Read: How to quickly fix Grainy Videos?

1. Repairs unlimited corrupt videos.
2. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee
3. Comes with 1 month & 1 year licences 
4. Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 and macOS – macOS Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina & older versions
5. Recovers corrupt videos from MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Mini, and Mac Pro.
6. Compatible with all storage drives, SD card, USB flash drive, Fusion drive etc.
7. Recovers corrupt videos from all leading smartphone and camera brands including Sony, Canon, GoPro, Nikon, and Apple, among others.
8. 4.6/5 ratings with 3,106 reviews on Trustpilot
9. Offers previews of repaired files
10. Repairs multiple corrupt videos simultaneously
11. Repairs movement, slider, header, and sound corruption of video files.
12. Repairs UHD, HD, 8K, 4K, VR, and 360-degree videos
13. Compatible with popular file formats such as MP4, MOV, FLV, and MPEG, among others.
14. Repairs videos from drones, DSLRs, smartphones, and CCTVs
15. Comes with the backing of 30+ years of experience and expertise of Stellar and over 3 million happy customers

Also Read: How to Fix the Unsupported Video Format Error on Windows 10?

A Word on Compatibility

Stellar Repair for Video works for all major OS, photography device types, and file formats. Here’s the complete list.

Mac Version

• Fixes corrupt videos recovered from MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Mini, & Mac Pro.
• Supports all storage drives/ media-Mac volumes, Time Machine, Fusion drive, SD card, USB flash drive, etc.
• Repairs videos created from iPhone, DSLR, Drones, Dash Cam, Point and Shoot Camera, Mirrorless Camera, Android Phones, etc.

Also Read: How to Repair Corrupt Video Files on Mac OS?

Windows Version

Repairs corrupt video files from leading camera and smartphone brands, including

• Canon®
• Sony®
• Go Pro®
• Olympus®
• Nikon®
• Fuji®
• Samsung®
• Panasonic®
• Apple®
• DJI®
• Parrot®
• Skydio®
• Blackmagic®
• Garmin®
• and many more

Also Read: How to recover deleted videos from Flip Camera?

Repairs Corrupted Header and Data of Video and Movie Files Compatible with:

• high quality 4K/ 8K/ 12K 
• HD, UHD, Full HD
• H.265, HEVC, 360
• VR videos

Supports Video Repair for Popular File Formats like:

• MP4, MOV, AVI
• MKV, AVCHD, MJPEG
• WEBM, ASF, WMV
• FLV, DIVX, MPEG
• MTS, M4V, 3G2
• 3GP, and F4V  

FAQs

1. Why does the error loading media file issue occur?

The error usually occurs when the media player is tasked with loading a .mov or .wmv video that doesn’t use the H264 video codec.

The issue occurs most prominently on Chrome. However, the issue can occur in any popular browser including Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Opera.

2. How to fix the error loading media file issue?

You can try these 3 ways to fix the issue: 

1. Use Stellar Repair for video software (The most efficient way)
2. Play the media file in incognito mode
3. Delete browser history, cookies, and cache

3. What’s the best video repair software to fix error loading media file issues?

Stellar Repair for video is the best video repair software to fix error loading media file issues. This revolutionary tool from Stellar is your one-stop solution for any and all video file format errors. With its availability on both Windows and Mac PCs, you can easily restore corrupted files in no time – regardless of the operating system!

4. What are the ways to fix the error loading media file issue?

We’ve shared the 4 best ways to fix the issue in this article. Furthermore, here are 3 more ways to fix the issue:

• Update to the latest browser version
• Fix your internet connection
• Play media file in incognito mode

5. Why should I choose the Stellar repair for video software to fix the error loading media file issue?

Check out the reasons you should choose Stellar Repair for video:

• Repairs unlimited corrupt videos
• Supports Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 and macOS
• Offers previews of repaired videos
• Offers ‘Advance repair’ feature that uses sample file for severe video corruption
• Repairs VR, HD, UHD, 360-degree, 4K, and 8K videos.

Error Loading Media File Could Not be Played – one final suggestion

We have gathered all the information about how to fix the issue of error loading media file. However, you might still be confused about which of the options you should go with.

That’s why here’s one final suggestion to help you decide.

Go for the Stellar Repair for Video. 

However, don’t take our word for it. Check out the 5 reasons you should go for the software: 

• Repairs videos from smartphones, DSLR, CCTV, and drones 
• Repairs multiple videos simultaneously
• Allows to save repaired video files to an external hard drive
• Repairs sound, movement, header, and slider corruption of video files
• Comes with 24X7 free technical support

Now that you know all about how to fix the error loading media file issue, the knowledge will help you make the most informed decision.