Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

6 points

Flash player (eg YouTube) not working in Safari

Hi,

I've read previous posts on this issue, including the replies to "You Tube not working ONLY in Safari", posted Feb 24th.

My macbook pro - Safari Version, 5.0.3 (5533.19.4, )- is working fine, but for some reason my iMac Safari, with same software and settings has decided not to play Adobe Flash Player.

I have uninstalled Flash player and reinstalled many times

I have deleted cookies as per Carolyn Samit's suggestion using renmoval tool at http://machacks.tv/2009/01/27/flushapp-flash-cookie-removal-tool-for-os-x/

I have emptied Safari cache several times

I have done a permissions repair

I have restarted the iMac many times

I have even tried loading an older version of flash player plugin

I have turned off the extensions tab in Safari preferences

I have unhid the develop Menu, and selected another User Agent with no success.

Still, evey time I load a page with flash content I get the message:

*Please install the latest version of the free Adobe Flash Player. Download now.*

*For help with Flash, see Adobe's Flash Player Support page.*

I've dowloaded the latest version of Flash player three times, but stiil no resolution.

*Any other suggestions would be gratefully received.*

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 2.4Ghz

Posted on Feb 28, 2011 4:06 PM

23 replies

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Mar 2, 2011 4:58 PM in response to SoulSearcher

tried to trash the Home/Library/Internet Plug-ins file
ah yes, my mistake, sorry for the confusion.
If you're comfortable with Terminal, use the following to show any possibly invisible files there

ls -Ah ~/Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins

I checked Home/Library?launch agents to find...
ok, so move those to the desktop, or somewhere, then logout/in - reverse that if no difference.

mail will not attach a document (plug-in missing)...
that used to be commonly, if oddly, cured by resetting java preferences to default via Utilities-Java Preferences-General-Restore Defaults (and the Network tab too for good measure)

I have TechTool Pro. Could this help?
5+ years since I used it, but checks can't hurt, although since a new account is ok, I doubt it'll find anything relevant.

SoulSearcher Author

Level 1

6 points

Mar 2, 2011 8:26 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Andy, you're a genius!

Tried terminal (tentatively because not really comfortable). I made sure typing was exact with a paste, pressed return and there was nothing to show.

Launch agents were moved, but before I returned them I reset Java preferences to default as you suggested and presto Mail now attaches the files and Flash Player is now working as well!!! Brilliant

I'm so grateful for your help in solving the problem.

Very many thanks. Much appreciated. You're very generous with the time and help you give others.

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Mar 3, 2011 5:07 AM in response to SoulSearcher

too kind - I'm sorry not to have had you do the mail/plugin/java thing previously... this is the first time I've seen it related to browser plugins, despite the 'plugin' connection. Live & learn eh - I wonder quite how java settings affect plugin recognition ? 🙂

MickeyPP

Level 1

9 points

Mar 3, 2011 2:47 PM in response to Klaus1

I seem to have had the same problem which harassed me for the past 3 days. I solved it. First let me say that if you want YouTube, use Firefox or Chrome. They'll probably do it fine. I suspect Safari has issues with Flash Player.

My result: First I uninstalled Flash Player. Rebooted. downloaded an older version of FlashPlayer. Go to http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/142/tn_14266.html. Follow uninstall and install instructions to the letter. I used the archive download for 'Flash Player 10.1'. I think Safari doesn't take too kindly to the latest versions. That's OK, I don't take too kindly to Safari.
Good luck

Mar 13, 2011 5:33 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Just for the record... I've had the same problem. In the Java Preferences app, only Java 6 was enable. I restored the java settings to the default value, but I reordered the options and placed Java 6 in the first position (I need Java 6). It worked like a charm! It seems that it nor recomended to unable Java 5 (32/64 bits).

Thanks for the help. I would never discover such a thing.

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Mar 13, 2011 5:44 AM in response to Ernesto Trajano

Thank you Ernesto - not a one-off, it seems.

Mar 13, 2011 3:17 PM in response to SoulSearcher

I had the same problem with my 2007 Macbook - YouTube would not play in Safari. It played in Firefox just fine. I have the most current versions of OS X, Safari and Flash installed. I tried uninstalling Flash and reinstalling. Did the same with Safari. The problem began after installing DivX and then uninstalling because I did not like the banner DivX inserts. A finally went to the Apple Genius Bar at a local retail store. The problem is Safari must run in 32-bit for Flash to work.

If you have this problem playing YouTube in Safari, control click Safari in Finder (in the Applications list). Then click Get Info. When Get Info opens, the 32-bit box should be checked. Mine was not. Once 32-bit was checked my YouTube videos started to play correctly again. In my case everything works with 32-bit checked and "open in Rosetta" in unchecked.

Nov 8, 2013 1:13 PM in response to SoulSearcher

I did all this and more and still did not work. Here is what worked: Open Safari (top left beside the "apple"), open preferences, check the box "Internet plug-ins...Allow plug-ins. Then you can open "Manage website settings....do you see Adobe...thats it, now YouTube should work.

Flash player (eg YouTube) not working in Safari