User profile for user: dvbadger
dvbadger Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

I can not play you tube video using safari browser on my old Macbook Pro--says browser does not support HTML5. Can this be fixed?

I have an older Macbook Pro--2011 with a High Sierra operating system 10.13.1. Using safari as a browser it will not let me play you tube video because the browser does not support HTML5. How to fix this?

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), iOS 10.1, 10.13.1

Posted on Nov 30, 2017 2:51 PM

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User profile for user: i_rina
i_rina
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Dec 4, 2017 1:03 PM

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities dvbadger,

If I'm understanding your post right, you're unable to play YouTube videos in Safari and are getting an error telling you that your web browser doesn't support HTML5. If you're anything like me, one of your favorite things to do in your spare time is stream videos online. I'm happy to help you get this working properly.

You may be running into this issue due to an internet plug-in causing conflict with YouTube. Go to Safari > Preferences > Websites. On the left-hand side of that window you should see a section called "Plug-ins". Uncheck the first one in that list and then try playing a YouTube video. Repeat this for each plug-in listed until you find the one that is causing the problem. You can recheck all plug-ins you have found to not be the culprit.

If the issue persists, it may be due to the website you're using to view the videos. If you're using the most current version of Safari (11.0.1) that comes with macOS 10.13.1, HTML5 should be supported and therefore videos should play successfully on the official YouTube website. If you aren't trying to view the videos on https://www.youtube.com , the site you're using may require the legacy QuickTime 7 web plug-in. This plug-in is no longer enabled in newer macOS versions because the HTML5 web standard usually provides a better video-playback experience. However, if you do need to use the legacy QuickTime 7 plug-in, you can restore it using the steps in If your web browser says that it‘s missing the QuickTime plug-in , specifically this section:

Restore the plug-in, if necessary

If you can't wait for the author to update their webpage, you can restore the legacy QuickTime 7 web plug-in. Leaving legacy browser plug-ins disabled enhances the security of your Mac, so you should take these steps only if necessary.

  1. Make sure that you're using Safari or another browser that supports legacy web plug-ins.
  2. Choose Go > Go to Folder from the menu bar in the Finder.
  3. Type 
    /Library/Internet Plug-Ins
    in the search field, then click Go. The Internet Plug-Ins folder opens.
  4. While holding down the Command (⌘) key, double-click the Disabled Plug-Ins folder to open it in a new window.
  5. Drag these two files from the Disabled Plug-Ins folder to the Internet Plug-Ins folder:
    • QuickTime Plugin.plugin
    • nslQTScriptablePlugin.xpt
  6. If you're asked to authenticate, click Authenticate, then enter an administrator name and password.
  7. Quit your web browser, then open your browser again. You should now be able to play the media.

To disable the legacy QuickTime 7 web-plug-in again, move both files back to the Disabled Plug-Ins folder.


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!
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3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: i_rina
i_rina
User level: Community Specialist

Dec 4, 2017 1:03 PM in response to dvbadger

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities dvbadger,

If I'm understanding your post right, you're unable to play YouTube videos in Safari and are getting an error telling you that your web browser doesn't support HTML5. If you're anything like me, one of your favorite things to do in your spare time is stream videos online. I'm happy to help you get this working properly.

You may be running into this issue due to an internet plug-in causing conflict with YouTube. Go to Safari > Preferences > Websites. On the left-hand side of that window you should see a section called "Plug-ins". Uncheck the first one in that list and then try playing a YouTube video. Repeat this for each plug-in listed until you find the one that is causing the problem. You can recheck all plug-ins you have found to not be the culprit.

If the issue persists, it may be due to the website you're using to view the videos. If you're using the most current version of Safari (11.0.1) that comes with macOS 10.13.1, HTML5 should be supported and therefore videos should play successfully on the official YouTube website. If you aren't trying to view the videos on https://www.youtube.com , the site you're using may require the legacy QuickTime 7 web plug-in. This plug-in is no longer enabled in newer macOS versions because the HTML5 web standard usually provides a better video-playback experience. However, if you do need to use the legacy QuickTime 7 plug-in, you can restore it using the steps in If your web browser says that it‘s missing the QuickTime plug-in , specifically this section:

Restore the plug-in, if necessary

If you can't wait for the author to update their webpage, you can restore the legacy QuickTime 7 web plug-in. Leaving legacy browser plug-ins disabled enhances the security of your Mac, so you should take these steps only if necessary.

  1. Make sure that you're using Safari or another browser that supports legacy web plug-ins.
  2. Choose Go > Go to Folder from the menu bar in the Finder.
  3. Type 
    /Library/Internet Plug-Ins
    in the search field, then click Go. The Internet Plug-Ins folder opens.
  4. While holding down the Command (⌘) key, double-click the Disabled Plug-Ins folder to open it in a new window.
  5. Drag these two files from the Disabled Plug-Ins folder to the Internet Plug-Ins folder:
    • QuickTime Plugin.plugin
    • nslQTScriptablePlugin.xpt
  6. If you're asked to authenticate, click Authenticate, then enter an administrator name and password.
  7. Quit your web browser, then open your browser again. You should now be able to play the media.

To disable the legacy QuickTime 7 web-plug-in again, move both files back to the Disabled Plug-Ins folder.


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!
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I can not play you tube video using safari browser on my old Macbook Pro--says browser does not support HTML5. Can this be fixed?

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