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Can't Play Videos on Android/Samsung? Here are Fixes

By FonePaw | Feb 02 , 2018

Have you run into "Can't play this video" or "Cannot play video" error on your Android or Samsung phone? Some have such an issue when playing locally saved videos while others say that they encounter this trouble when watching streaming videos online on YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, and so on. If your Android won't play videos, here are a few feasible solutions for you to drill down. Let's cut to chase and give it a try.

 


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CONTENTS
Workaround 1: Check Out Whether SD Card is Loose
Workaround 2: Grant Permission or Uninstall Google +
Workaround 3: Ensure a Smooth Network Condition
Workaround 4: Boot Android into Safe Mode
Workaround 5: Transfer On-Device Videos to Desktop

 

Workaround 1: Check Out Whether SD Card is Loose

If you're having trouble playing local videos, the first thing you should check out is whether the SD card becomes loose. If your SD card is unexpectedly removed while your videos are saved in it, there is no chance you can play videos on Android. Therefore, please look up memory card in SD card slot and make sure that it's locked in place.

SD Card Got Loose

 

Workaround 2: Grant Permission or Uninstall Google +

Yup, this solution may seem a bit unbelievable. However, most Samsung users have proved that this worked for them. If you're using a Samsung Galaxy S6/S7/S8, try this out. Also, this workaround is applicable to devices of other brands.
STEP 1. Open the "Settings" app.
STEP 2. Click "Application/Application manager".
STEP 3. Swipe down to "Google+".
STEP 4. Tap "Permissions" and toggle on "Storage".
Optional: Tap "┆" and select "Uninstall Updates".

 

Uninstall Google Plus

 

Workaround 3: Ensure a Smooth Network Condition

When this trouble comes to streaming videos, you may have to check out your network condition. A bad Wi-Fi causes unexpected glitches all the time. You might as well switch to mobile internet or hook up to another Wi-Fi. Also, you can give it a try on resetting network settings.
Taking Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge as an example
STEP 1. Launch the "Settings" app on your phone.
STEP 2. Select the "General management" option.
STEP 3. Tap "Reset", and then "Reset network settings".
STEP 4. Read the instruction and tap "RESET SETTINGS".

 

Reset Network Settings

 

Workaround 4: Boot Android into Safe Mode

If you cannot figure out the culprit, Safe Mode comes in handy. While in safe mode, you won't be able to open any apps you've downloaded onto your phone, and a "Safe mode" badge will appear in the lower left corner of your screen. Thus, you should be able to play videos on Android without a hitch. Here's how to boot into Safe Mode.
STEP 1. Power off your Android/Samsung.
STEP 2. Hold and Press the "Power" button until you see the logo.
STEP 3. Now, instantly hold the "Volume Down" button until the device reboots.
STEP 4. If you see a "Safe mode" badge, then your device is in Safe Mode.

 

Samsung Safe Mode

 

Workaround 5: Transfer On-Device Videos to Desktop

If the above solutions fail your expectancy, you can try to transfer videos from Android/Samsung to your Window or Mac computer via Android Data Backup & Restore. For online videos, you can use Video Converter Ultimate from YouTube, BBC, TED to download online videos to your desktop.

 

YouTube Choppy Video

 

Have you solved the "Can't Play Videos on Android" issue? Which method helps you out? You're welcome to share your opinion with us here. If you like this post, sharing makes it more helpful.

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brox
brox
6 year before

Workaround 0: Unsuspend Google Photo. Enjoy

Gary Wernick
Gary Wernick
6 year before

Many thanks. Uninstalling Google Plus worked in my Moto X Force. Had been searching for ages on the internet

Sophie Cheng
Sophie Cheng
5 year before

leawo video converter is also another helpful tool to convert the video format and make it playable.

Alexander Townsend
Alexander Townsend
5 year before

One thing that worked for me was, in settings, going to Google, ads, and opting out of ad personalization and resetting advertising Id. Then restart the phone and it might work.


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