Youtube video is black – Solution

Are you trying to play a youtube video and where the video will usually be there is only a black screen? Here are some solutions to this problem:

Fix #1: Clear browser cache and cookies

A lot of the time this problem is easily fixed by simply clearing the cache. To clear the cache on Google Chrome do the following:

1. Click on the button with three horizontal lines that sits next to the address bar
2. Click on Settings
3. Scroll to the bottom and click on Show Advanced Settings
4. Scroll down to Privacy and click on Clear Browsing Data
5. Select “Cookies and other site and plug-in data” AND “Cached images and files”. Make sure everything else is selected.
6. Next to Obliterate the following items from: select “From the Beginning of Time”

Try playing the video now.

Fix #2: Download a new version of Flash Player

If you’re using a browser other than Google Chrome you should update flash player.

To download the newest version of flash player click here.

Restart the browser and restart your computer and try playing the video now.

Fix #3: Disable hardware acceleration

If you can play some videos on youtube but not others then disabling hardware acceleration for flash may help.

Follow these steps:

1. Browse to a youtube video that does work
2. Right click on the video and click on Settings
3. Uncheck the box next to “Enable Hardware Acceleration”
4. Click close
5. Close your browser and restart it.

Now try playing the video that wasn’t working before.

Fix #4: Update Java

I’m not totally sure what Java has to do with playing a video on Youtube but many users have reported that updating Java has helped resolve the youtube black screen issue.

Click here to download the latest version of Java.

After the install is finished restart your computer and then try playing the video again.

Fix #5: Disable browser extensions like Adblock or Noscript on Youtube

If you’re using something like Adblock or Noscript then you should try disabling it for youtube.com. Sometimes they cause issues like this.

You should also update your filters for Adblock Plus. You can do this from within the Adblock Plus setting page.

Fix #6: Disable all extensions

Disable all your extensions/add-ons in your browser. If the video plays then re-enable each extension one by one testing the video after enabling each extension to determine which one is the culprit.