Video not playing (mp4, Youtube, etc.)

nbraptor2005
Newbie

Video stopped playing on my Droid recently.  Like, all video.  Youtube, mp4s, etc.  I think it might have something to do with the 2.2 update, because it started happening shortly after I received the update.  The error message I receive is:

 

Sorry, this video cannot be played.

There was a problem while playing.

 

These are video types that are supposed to be supported by Droid and were in the past.  What can I do to fix this?  Are there any other Droid owners experiencing this since the update?

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23 Replies
RiesVA
Newbie

I am having this same problem.  It started right after my Android OS update to 2.2.  My MP4 video used to play but now none of them do.  They were recorded in Sony PSP format and they play on both a PSP or an iTouch!  I am searching the web looking for answers.

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Cobjones
Contributor - Level 1
It doesn't seem to be universal... I have just about all file types and they work fine after 2.2

Try doing a soft reset, and if that doesn't work try a hard reset.
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grimcatnip
Newbie

has anyone been able to solve this problem?   I did a soft and hard boot up for my phone and I still can't see my videos.  I just get told it cannot play the video.  And same for me.  It happened right after the Android 2.2 update for my motorola droid.

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Crotalusa
Newbie

Has anyone figured this out yet.  It is very frustrating.  I did both hard and soft reset to no avail.  Youtube works just not any mp4 or wmv videos.

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D_Impossible
Newbie

I'm having the same issue.

Video formats (i.e. mp4) which previously played prior to 2.2 update, are no longer viewable.. This is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed as the previous formats that were stated to be supported in the original DROID specs. are no longer supported- Is this an Update or a Downdate!!!

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grimcatnip
Newbie

Are there any formats even supported or did just videos in general stop working after this update.  I still can't get anything to run.  

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slim1977
Newbie

Having the problem since the update. Youtube worked fine before, now nothing.

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Cobjones
Contributor - Level 1
I have mp4 videos and they are working fine...

What video player are you using... I suggest Video Player by android code monkeys
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UMFootball1989

I downloaded this, and when i open it i get a blank black screen

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Cobjones
Contributor - Level 1
You're videos might be corupted...
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JMWTech
Newbie

I too am having troubles with media files, specifically .mp4 files.  The video files that are not playing used to play prior to the 2.2 update.  I encoded them my self and the resolution is far below the max resolution of the Droid.  The error I get is "Cannot play video, Sorry, this video cannot be played.

 

In an effort to make sure the files weren't corrupted I copied them back to my desktop where they play fine with VLC.  I also copied another video file from my desktop to the Droid and it also threw the same error.

 

As I stated these videos used to play and now they don't.  But in case some one can tell me why they don't play based off of the file details I'll include those:

Video

Frame width: 368

Frane height: 208

Data Rate: 595kbps

Total bitrate 723kbps

Frame rate 29 frames/second

 

Audio

Bit rate: 127kbps

Channels 2(stereo)

Audio sample rate: 24kHz

 

I should also mention that 3gpp videos play just fine.

 

So far I havn't had any problems with music or pictures.  Though I should point out that the music I listen to is just straight MP3 (no DRM).  Youtube video's seem to not play most of the time after the 2.2 update.  I now get "This video is not available on mobile."  I just figured that was a new policy that Youtube enacted for some videos.

 

Any help is appreciated.

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dmad1rulz
Newbie

I was trying to look for the post I had made about this, but I can't find it.

 

In any case, I actually had the same issue until I did 2 things. First, the ever reliable battery pull. The other one was to connect the phone to the computer and browse the folders the files are in.

 

There is some lag from when you open up the gallery. Wait a few seconds, and your files should show up and you should be able to play them.

 

For YouTube, I just did a battery pull for it and it pretty much fixed it.

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JMWTech
Newbie

I'm not sure if you are having the same problem we are having.  From my research it seems that a lot of people are having this problem and it may be possible that the video player features were reduced in 2.2.  That being said there are numerous (4?) 2.2 builds for the Droid and you may have an old one where the video playback isn't affected.

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JMWTech
Newbie

Long story short I talked with Verizon tech support.  They fumbled around for about 15 mins then told me to call motorola [removed phone number].  I called moto, got to 2nd tier support and she had me rest the phone.  The problem persisted and she told me to have Verizon replace the phone.  I called back to Verizon and they said that they could send out a replacement but couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't be a refurbished phone (I've had bad experiences with refurbished phones).  

 

Both the Verizon reps were pleasant but I asked to speak to a supervisor.  The last one told me that she would say the same thing to me but I still asked to speak with her.  I'm currently awaiting a call back.

 

Good luck to you, but a reset didn't fix mine.

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Tquinn
Newbie

I had the same problems. My Droid could play .wmv files till the operating system update.  Tried everything still couldn't get the files to run.  I was able to do an 'end run' around the problem. I found a free converter program (DVDvideosoft Free Studio) that changed the .wmv files to .3gp format (use 'standard quality... H263, 12 fps 176x144 AMR' when doing the conversion.... 'high quality' will not run) and the resulting files now play.   Still wish the droid people would fix the bug they introduced.  The image quality from the converted file does not appear as good as the .wmv file (or at least from what I remember).

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JMWTech
Newbie

I find that solution unacceptable.  .MP4 format is far superior and I bought the product partly because it was able to play the .MP4 format.  I tried to stress my dissatisfaction and they offered to replace my phone with a refurbished one but I've had bad experiences with refurbished products.  I'm not sure I'm satisfied at this point with their solution... Hopefully an update comes out that fixes the problem.

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dmad1rulz
Newbie

I can't remember if I have any MP4 formatted videos loaded on my phone right now, but once I get home, I'll load one on my phone and test it. I'll post the result of my test later. I did have a few videos that only had sound and no video, but I couldn't remember the format.

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dmad1rulz
Newbie
Well, as promised, as soon as I got home, I transferred a MP4-formatted video on my phone and it worked just fine... so yeah, not sure why yours is not functioning right.
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Cobjones
Contributor - Level 1
Mine worked just fine with mp4 before I got the 2.
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michaelshk
Enthusiast - Level 3

Just came from Verizon store. After listenning for some **bleep**, the guy told me to install "RockPlayer", so I did.

Droid plays all files now with no problem.

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