Fix: Safari is not Streaming Videos on a Mac

Safari is a default and stable browser on Mac. However, you can face some minor issues such as videos not playing or streaming, which we can sort out quickly. You can clear the cache, tweak a few browser settings like JavaScript, content blockers, and checking the conflicting browser extensions.

Safari is the default web browser for all Apple devices. It is one of the most preferred choices among Mac users. It is known for its speed and is user-friendly, which has integration with the Apple ecosystem.

Safari enables you to stream audio and video in the browsers. It automatically renders the video files to play in the browser window.

Although it is rare sometimes, due to some unknown bug or browser conflicting setup, you might face difficulty playing videos or streaming videos.

If you cannot play or stream the videos in your Safari Browser, then you can follow the troubleshooting steps mentioned. 

Basic Troubleshootings

It is pretty normal to start with basic troubleshooting before getting into advanced destructive methods. You can restart the Mac computer, check for your internet connection and its stability, check if the website that you’re streaming is up and running, etc.

We have a detailed browser troubleshooting guide that you can refer to to get started with the basics. After that, you can move over to the advanced guide that’s outlined below. 

Note: It’s recommended to take a backup before you start with advanced troubleshooting, which involves deleting the data and cache.

Force Quit and Restart

Force quitting and restarting can solve your videos not playing problem in Safari Browser, and you might not require to proceed with the other fixes. Here are the steps to force quit and restart the browser:

1. Click the Apple in the menubar.
2. Select Force Quit from the drop-down menu.
   It will open the Force Quit Applications window.
3. Select the Safari app from the list.
   
4. Click the Force Quit button.
5. Launch the Safari browser from Applications.

A lot of restarting Safari will help you if you have difficulty playing videos. But ensure you have saved the required things from the tabs before closing it.

Enable Javascript

Safari can sometimes disable JavaScript for security reasons. JavaScript is the primary language of all interactions on Safari and is essential for video playback. Here are the steps to Enable the JavaScript execution:

1. Launch the Safari app on a Mac computer.
2. Select Safari from the menubar options and choose the Settings option.
   
3. Switch to the Security tab within the Settings window and check the box to Enable JavaScript.

It will ensure that necessary JavaScript program files will execute that require video to play.

Check Browser Extensions

Browser extensions can also cause this problem due to misconfiguration or intentionally blocking the videos. You can disable the extensions and check if the issue is resolved. If you haven’t checked your browser extensions yet, here is how you can do it:

1. Launch the Safari browser app on your computer.
2. Click on the Settings option from the menu bar.
   It will open the Settings window.
3. Switch to the Extensions tab.
   It will list all the extensions installed on the Safari browser.
4. Deselect the checkbox located right next to the extension to turn it off.
   
5. Turn Off all the extensions and check for video playback.

If the problem is fixed, something was indeed wrong with the extensions. Repeat the process and enable the extensions individually to know which is causing this problem.

Clear Browser Cache

Data collected as a cache can sometimes prevent videos from being played on Safari. Clearing the cache frees up space for new videos to load and play. Here are the steps to clear cache storage:

1. Launch the Apple Safari browser.
2. Click on the Safari menu, and select the Settings sub-menu.
3. Switch to the Advanced tab.
4. Enable the check box for the Show Develop menu in the menu bar.
   It will enable a new Develop menu in the Safari menu bar.
5. Click on the Develop menu on the menu bar.
6. Select Empty Caches from the drop-down menu.
   It will clear and empty all the cache files stored within the Safari browser.

Sometimes heavy cache files can restrict your system from loading and playing the videos. Also, clearing the caches will not alter your data in the browser, so you can do it without worrying.

Turn off Content Blocker

A content blocker is a Safari feature that allows you to allow or ban specific content from loading on a website. It is meant to improve your browsing experience by blocking unnecessary content. Thus, it can also stop playing videos or streams on Safari.

Here are the steps to turn off the content blockers:

1. Open the Safari app on Mac.
2. Open the website you desire to turn off the content blocker.
3. Click on the Safari menu, and choose Settings for Website… sub-menu.
   It will display a popup box from the Address bar.
4. Disable the checkbox for Enable Content Blockers option.
   

Disabling the content blocker will not harm your browser; it is just a safety measure to protect your device from suspected irrelevant content or malicious files.

If you trust a reputed site where you watch videos, disabling the content blockers option is safe.

Bottom Line

The fixes suggested here are the tried and tested measures that ensure fixing your problem of Safari not playing the problems without any adverse impact on your device. These easy and safe steps can make your videos play in Safari.

That is how you can troubleshoot Safari if you face difficulty playing videos on it. 

If you are facing a similar issue with the Safari browser not playing any media online, these troubleshooting steps will help rectify the issue.

Let us know if you’ve tried other troubleshooting workaround that has helped fix the Safari video’s not playing issues. We would highly appreciate any constructive input from you.

FAQs

We have listed a few of the most frequently asked questions about Safari not playing videos online.

Lastly, if you've any thoughts or feedback, then feel free to drop in below comment box. You can also report the outdated information.