Some YouTube videos not playing

Question

Level 1

10 points

Some YouTube videos not playing

Hello folks. I really hope someone can help me.

For the past two days or so, I've had problems with some YouTube videos not playing in Safari on my Mac. When the problem occurs, the video's page loads fully including comments, video recommendations etc however there is a black box with a revolving spinner where the video should be.

If I copy the video's URL, sign out of YouTube, and paste the URL into Safari the video loads without a problem. I can also sign in to my wife's YouTube account in Safari and watch the video. Chrome also plays the videos without any problems even if I'm signed into YouTube.

So, the problem seems to be linked to my YouTube account when it's signed in on Safari. I believe all the affected videos begin with an advert which makes me wonder if there's somehow an old Safari content blocker that suppresses YouTube adverts still running in the background.

I'm on Mac OS 10.15.5 and Safari 13.1.1 with no ad blockers installed.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jun 7, 2020 7:26 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Eric Root

Level 10

685,593 points

Jun 7, 2020 11:42 AM in response to Dr Chandra

Go to Safari Preferences/Extensions and turn all extensions off. Quit/reopen Safari and test. If okay, turn the extensions on one by one until you figure out what extension is causing the problem.

Are you running any anti - virus programs? Using a VPN?

Try setting up another admin user account in System Preferences/Users & Groups to see if the same problem continues. Please post back on whether or not this worked. Also try the Safe Mode. Please post back on whether or not this worked.

Isolating an issue by using another user account

Safe Mode - About.

If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown. If the log won’t post, try posting it in Pastebin and provide a link in a reply. After pasting the report in a PasteBin page, go to the top of the page, and copy the address in the URL bar. Paste that in a new reply. Pastebin.

Etrecheck – System Information.

Web site version if required. https://etrecheck.com

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,593 points

Jun 7, 2020 6:28 PM in response to Dr Chandra

Have to ask, you did try disabling all Safari extensions, quit/reopen Safari and tested?

Try another browser as a test.

Firefox 10.9 or higher.

Opera Browser 10.9 or higher.

SeaMonkey 10.9 or higher8.

Waterfox 10.8 or higher.

If running Mojave or Catalina, you can also try Safari Technology Preview. Go to Safari/Preferences/Advanced and check Show Develop menu in menu bar. Go to the Develop menu and select Get Safari Technology Preview. Open from the Applications folder.

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Answer 3

LRoix

Level 1

9 points

Jul 10, 2020 12:52 AM in response to Dr Chandra

Hello,

I have this problem as well and it has only started in the last couple of weeks. I have read the suggestions for trying to resolve the issue. However, I did not do any of those; including not disabling Ad Blocker. But, if I open a new private Safari window and past the url into that window, the Youtube video plays.

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Answer 4

Dr Chandra Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 7, 2020 12:17 PM in response to Eric Root

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I've been through the tests you've described and the problem persists whether I boot in safe mode, use a new account or disable all the extensions in Safari.

Here's the EtreCheck report:

https://pastebin.com/pahJa7kG

EtreCheck report

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Answer 5

Dr Chandra Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 7, 2020 9:20 PM in response to Eric Root

Good morning Eric,

Thanks for helping.

The only extension I have installed in Safari is 1Blocker and all its components are unchecked. Even so, Safari is still refusing to load most YouTube videos when I'm signed into my YouTube account.

I have the same issue with Safari Technology Preview, which also has 1Blocker disabled.

Everything works fine in the current version of Chrome and I've just downloaded and tested in the current version of Firefox and YouTube content plays normally in that, too.

So, it seems the issue is confined to Safari on this Mac and only occurs when I'm signed into my YouTube account.

Safari on my iPad and iPhone are also unaffected.

Can you think of anything else I can do?

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Answer 6

Dr Chandra Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 8, 2020 12:03 PM in response to Eric Root

Thanks any way, Eric.

I'm at a loss too. The peculiar thing was it that everything was fine for about an hour this evening and I was about to post that the problem had resolved itself but sadly I'm back to square one again.

Thanks for your help.

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