YouTube black screen on a Mac...

Hi, I've just had the same problem even downloaded Firefox, uninstalled/reinstalled Flash Player, changed 'use 32 bit mode, tried everything suggested - nothing. Then discovered a simple fix, instead of typing in http://youtube.com try adding an 's' to http - so you type https://youtube.com - hey presto, problem fixed!! No problems since! Hope it works for you.

hey, I've been trying to figure out where to go to change my computer to the 'use 32 bit mode' but I can't seem to find it...any help/suggestions?

Go to Finder, Applications, press the Control key and click on the Safari icon, there click on Get Info, and there check the "Open in 32 bit mode" option, then restart Safari.

I have been having the same problem as the OP's since last night. One moment everything was working fine, the next came the dreaded black window and that was it. Firefox works fine, the problem is Safari. I have done the 32 bit option and nothing. Switched to html5 and the video window tries to load but never does. I'm out of ideas to make it work, and frankly I don't want to have to open another browser just to watch You Tube videos.

Starting two days ago, I have the exact same thing -- YouTube movie windows are just black boxes without any play controls. I've done these things to no avail:

restart

empty cache

turn off extensions

switch to 32-bit mode

update Flash

add an "s" to http (what's up with that?)

Safari has been so bad since v5 with the destruction of autofill. I'd hate to switch to Firefox, because I really like that my bookmarks sync over MobileMe.

hey mitchell, did you manage to find a solution? I have suddenly gotten the same problem! youtube and all other video streams just show black windows and i have not changed any settings. neither have i updated anything or even restarted the mac, all of a sudden they just wont work 😟

Hi zhassabu — I never found a solution. It just went away by itself. I've already moved on to the next problem with Safari. And the next. And the next.

SOLVED... for me. I have a Macbook Pro. Had same problem for months (using Safari)—YouTube was always a black screen, but other videos would play (like apple trailers). Right-clicked on black YouTube screen for menu. Clicked on "About html5". Took me to a screen that suggested I was running a trial of html5 (with green checkmark). CLicked on "Leave the html5 trial" and worked perfect. What a relief.

Reset Safari with all boxes checked. Safari > Reset Safari

If running 10.6 only*

Next, empty the caches. Safari > Empty Caches

This worked for me after attempting many steps provided above, including opening the Safari application in 32-bit mode, which was unsuccessful.