Why won't my iPhone play video?

Question

Level 1

39 points

Why won't my iPhone play video?

My iPhone will not play videos on the YouTube app or safari. I have already reset my phone to factory settings and it only helped for about an hour. Whenever I try to play a video it just shows up with the circular loading icon.

Posted on Dec 17, 2016 6:57 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Neil22R

Community Specialist

Dec 18, 2016 2:05 PM in response to Cordell N

Hello, Cordell N.

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

If I'm understanding correctly, you are having issues playing Youtube videos or while using the Safari app. I will be happy to assist.

First, I would suggest clearing the browsing history in Safari. Use the steps below from the article Clear your Safari browser history and set up content blockers on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Delete history, cache, and cookies

To clear your history and cookies, tap Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.

To remove other stored information, tap Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data > Remove All Website Data.

To visit sites without leaving a history, turn private browsing on or off.

Clearing your history, cookies, and browsing data from Safari won't change your AutoFill information.

Next, force quit Safari and restart your iPhone to see if that helps. Here are the steps below from the articles Force an app to close on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
and Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Force close an app

When you double-click the Home button, your recently used apps appear. The apps aren’t open, but they're in standby mode to help you navigate and multitask. You should force an app to close only when it’s unresponsive.

Here’s how to force an app to close.

View your open apps

Double-click the Home button to see your most recently used apps.

Find the app to close

Swipe right or left to find the app that you want to close.

Swipe up to close

Swipe up on the app's preview to close the app.

How to restart

Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider appears.

Drag the slider to turn your device completely off.

After the device turns off, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until you see the Apple logo.

Cheers.

Reply

Answer 2

Neil22R

Community Specialist

Dec 22, 2016 6:36 AM in response to Cordell N

Hello, Cordell.

Let's look at other factors that might be affecting video playback. Next, I would focus on your data connection. Whether the issue is occurring while on Wi-Fi or Cellular, you may have to Reset Network Settings.

Please try the steps below from the article If you can‘t connect to a cellular network or cellular data

Check your coverage area to make sure that you're in an area with cellular network coverage.

If you can't connect to a cellular network on your iPhone, make sure that cellular data is on in Settings > Cellular*. On your iPad, go to Settings > Cellular Data.

If you're traveling internationally, make sure that your device is set up for data roaming. Go to Settings > Cellular > Data Roaming.

Restart your iPhone or iPad.

Check for a Carrier Settings Update.

Update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS.

Take out the SIM card and put it back in. If the SIM card is damaged, or doesn't fit in the SIM tray, contact your carrier.

Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.

If you have another device, see if you can connect your carrier's network with it in that location.

Contact your carrier to:

Verify that your account is active and in good standing.

Make sure there are no outages in your area.

Check that your device isn't blocked from receiving cellular services and is set up with the right data plan.