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Level 1

29 points

iOS 10 video playback stops working until reboot

I have an iPad Mini Retina, and ever since upgrading to iOS 10.0.01, a short period of use causes all video playback to stop working.

Videos in Safari, Chrome, YouTube etc. appear to cache (progress bar at the top saturates), but will not proceed to play. The first frame of a video is displayed, but solely as a static image. I am able to change the static frame being displayed by scrubbing to any point in the video, but playback will not take place.

The only thing that allows video playback again is rebooting the device (force-closing apps, locking and unlocking etc. does not help).

Posted on Sep 25, 2016 1:19 AM

Best reply

i_rina

Community Specialist

Posted on Sep 26, 2016 10:10 AM

Hi, Sunkai!

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Based on your post, I understand that you are having trouble playing videos on your iPad mini; the video will begin but will get stuck as a single image, as if buffering, and never resumes (at least until you restart). I predominately use my own iPad to watch videos, so I know it's important that they actually play; I'm happy to help!

I've got some troubleshooting that I can offer for you. Before you get started, create a backup of your iPad using iCloud or iTunes, following the instructions here: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Once you have your backup, try the following steps, in order. Test a video after each step, and stop when the issue is resolved.

Make sure your iOS software is up to date. Within the last week, iOS 10.0.2 was released. Use the following article to get help updating: Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
If this occurs on Wi-Fi, try restarting the network you're using from the router and/or modem (if possible). If it's a private Wi-Fi network (such as your home network), try removing all devices from the network, then adding just your iPad back.
Try a different network.
Reset the network settings on your iPad under Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will not affect any personal data (like your pictures, contacts, Calendar events, etc) but it will remove saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, any previously used APN or VPN settings, and any paired Bluetooth devices.
Restore your iPad to factory settings, following the steps here: Use iTunes on your Mac or PC to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to factory settings

After the restore is complete, set the iPad up as a new device (meaning without using the backup you created earlier, at least temporarily). You can sign into iCloud, iTunes and App Store, iMessage, and FaceTime with your Apple ID. Then, test a video.

If the issue is fixed, you can restore your backup per the information here: Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup

Have a great day!

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34 replies

Oct 4, 2016 9:13 AM in response to aaronlukemarshall

Hi. Have you updated to iOS 10.0.2? It may include a fix.

Oct 4, 2016 10:23 AM in response to Diana.McCall

II've got the latest version been like it since the update.

Tpf0802

Level 1

4 points

Oct 5, 2016 4:54 AM in response to Sunkai

The same thing here, I've tried all their suggestions and nothing...so frustrated. I would like to go back to the previous iOS 9.3

Oct 5, 2016 11:10 PM in response to Sunkai

my ipad mini 4 got the same thing, every time i reboot the video works fine, but don't know at exactly what moment it will stop again. also don't know if it's a separate issue, the alarm doesn't work, it plays notifications but no sound, rebooting also fixes. the sound of other gaming apps works fine though

Oct 13, 2016 3:15 AM in response to i_rina

I have the same issue, but with an iPhone SE. Any mp4 file refuses to play after a while, even if triggered from another app. So this can stop some games from playing if there's an intro video for example. I am running with 10.0.2, and it appears to be a fairly deep issue within video playback on iOS 10.

Oct 29, 2016 12:40 PM in response to Sunkai

I Have this issue too. You tube app won't play back video until reboot. Can't playback videos in apple news app.

simstorm

Level 1

4 points

Nov 11, 2016 4:06 PM in response to sfromjurong west

I believe that these two issues are related to one another, I have the same problem on my iPhone SE. Rebooting the phone fixes both the video playback and the alarm. What is interesting, my iPad Air 2 works just fine.

Nov 19, 2016 9:41 AM in response to Sunkai

I get this same problem on an iPad Air 1 running iOS 10.1.1. Video won't play and alarms won't play sound. It works fine after a reboot, but it happens for me almost daily.

WeirdBal

Level 1

4 points

Nov 21, 2016 5:13 PM in response to Sunkai

I have had this same problem for some time on my iPad mini 4. I don't remember what version it started on, but it is still there with the latest version. It happens sporadically, so it can't be recreated on demand to see if anything I might try works. Now today my wife complained of the same thing for the first time on her iPad mini 4 as well. Really hoping for a fix soon.

colinmp

Level 1

4 points

Dec 5, 2016 3:52 PM in response to Sunkai

I Have same issue on iPad Air and iPhone 6. It has only started since iOS 10, it is so annoying. This is the first time I have started to doubt Apple, updates were always slick.

Ameebs

Level 1

4 points

Dec 6, 2016 8:41 PM in response to colinmp

Since updating to 10.1.1 on iPad Air 2, the videos act like they are corrupted. Flashes of green, distortion, sound but video stops, and more. I've tried rebooting and also backing up and restoring. Nothing works. The videos are stored in cloud and play fine on iPhone and Mac. They also changed dimension..narrower and won't go to full screen.

Qubits

Level 1

38 points

Dec 9, 2016 12:37 PM in response to Ameebs

The same happens to me on an iPhone 7... seems like a horrible bug... is there any ifnormation if theya re working on it?

I am tired of restarting the phone every time....

aguptaad

Level 1

4 points

Dec 22, 2016 10:04 PM in response to Qubits

I have the same issue on IPhone 6s running OS 10.2. I have tried resetting phone to factory setting but issue remains. It's quite annoying that videos suddenly stop playing. I have checked this ONLY on what's app and must admit I haven't tried on other apps

Mar 2, 2017 2:58 PM in response to TJC113

Hi. Just for info, I've counted 86 different users reporting this problem here. You need to use the feedback links to keep reporting it, so Apple realizes that it's a real issue.

Mar 10, 2017 9:35 AM in response to i_rina

I am having this same problem, but no update to fix it. Everything worked flawlessly until iOS 10 :(. Please patch this Apple.

iOS 10 video playback stops working until reboot