Macbook M4 Max has certain Mp4 files inexplicably show up black and with no thumbnail but with audio intact

Certain Mp4 files will not show anything but a black screen on my MacBook M4 max. They display fine on the device they are copied from. It is only certain ones that inexplicably do this and I can not find any discernable difference in their codecs.


I have been trying for days to find a solution and so far nothing works.


Does anyone have any solutions? I just got this machine and I'm really surprised it can't work with all Mp4 files.


They are black in all apps. Final cut pro, VLC, Quick time, and all preview windows. Thumbnails are simply a "mp4" icon on the ones that won't play visuals, but the audio is intact.

Posted on Mar 4, 2025 10:10 AM

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Mar 4, 2025 11:32 AM in response to katniss499

The only difference I see is the GOP field is blank on the one that won't play. But it plays normally on the original device and on other computers when I plug the drive containing these files into those.


So the file can not be corrupt, or it would not play on any computer or device but it is an issue with my M4

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Mar 4, 2025 11:34 AM in response to katniss499

The only difference I see is the GOP field is blank on the one that won't play. But it plays normally on the original device and on other computers when I plug the drive containing these files into those.


So the file can not be corrupt, or it would not play on any computer or device but it is an issue with my M4


I am wondering what is missing from my machine to play these files, or if this is a warranty issue as this was a refurbished unit that is still within its warranty period.


I otherwise really love this machine, I would like to find a solution for the problem, or if it is this particular machine, have it warranteed out for another.

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Macbook M4 Max has certain Mp4 files inexplicably show up black and with no thumbnail but with audio intact

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