In addition to its primary function of storing and synchronizing files and important data, Google Drive also supports the ability to play videos, a feature not well-known to many users. However, during video playback on the service, users may encounter some errors, with the common one being Google Drive Error 'This Video Cannot Be Played' or 'Whoops! There was a problem playing this video.'
Resolving Google Drive Error 'This Video Cannot Be Played'
Several factors can cause this error, such as unstable network connections or unsupported video file formats.
Method 1. Check your network connection.
Method 2. Ensure the video file format is supported.
Method 3. Make sure the video file is not corrupted.
Method 4. Play the video in incognito mode.
Method 5. Clear browser cache and cookies.
Fixing Google Drive Error 'This Video Cannot Be Played'
Method 1: Check your network connection
As mentioned by Mytour, one of the primary reasons for the Google Drive error 'This Video Cannot Be Played' could be due to slow and unstable Internet connections. Google Drive requires a high-speed and stable Internet connection to play videos stored in the cloud.
To fix the Google Drive error, the first solution is to check and ensure the stability of your Internet connection. Additionally, you may consider resetting your router to refresh your network connection.
- Learn more: How to check network speed on a computer
If you're unsure how to reset your router, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Start by unplugging the power cord of your router or modem.
Step 2: Wait for about 15 - 20 seconds, then plug the power cord back in.
Step 3: Wait for approximately 2 minutes for the router to restart.
Method 2: Ensure Supported Video File Format
Google Drive only supports certain video formats, including 3GP, AVI, FLV, MPEG4, MPEG-PS, MOV, MTS, WebM, and WMV.
If your video file format is not one of the mentioned formats, Google Drive does not support it and displays the error message 'This Video Cannot Be Played' on the screen.
The solution in this case is simply to convert the video file format to supported formats using specialized software, and then re-upload the video to Google Drive.
Among the video format conversion software, Total Video Converter is considered more comprehensive. To learn how to convert videos to 3GP or other formats supported by Google Drive using Total Video Converter, readers can refer to additional information here.
- Learn more: How to Convert Video to 3GP with Total Video Converter
Method 3: Ensure the Video File is Not Corrupted
Another reason for the Google Drive error 'This Video Cannot Be Played' could be due to a corrupted or damaged video file.
Try downloading the video to your device, then re-upload it to Google Drive. Play the video again and check if the issue of not being able to play the video persists.
Method 4: Play Video in Incognito Mode
Plug-ins and extensions installed on your browser can also be a cause of the Google Drive error: This Video Cannot Be Played.
To check if these extensions are causing the Drive error, the simplest method is to try playing the video in incognito mode.
- On the Chrome, Coc Coc browser: to open incognito mode, use the simple key combination Ctrl + Shift + N.
- On the Firefox browser: press the key combination Ctrl + Shift + P.
- On the Edge browser: press the key combination Ctrl + Shift + P.
Next, log in to your Google account and try playing the video on Google Drive again. If the error does not occur, it may be determined that the culprit is one of the browser extensions you have installed.
Turn off all browser extensions and then enable each one individually, trying to play the video on Drive to identify which extension is causing the issue and remove it.
Here's how to enable or disable extensions installed on your browser:
- On the Chrome browser:
Step 1: On the Chrome browser window, click the three-dot icon at the top right corner of the screen, choose More Tools.
Step 2: Then hover over the menu and click Extensions.
Step 3: On the displayed window, find and turn off the slider next to the extension you want to disable.
- On the Firefox browser:
If you're using the Firefox browser, readers can click here to learn in detail how to enable or disable extensions on the browser.
- Learn more: How to enable or disable extensions on Firefox
Method 5: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
If the above methods are ineffective and the Google Drive error 'This Video Cannot Be Played' persists, try clearing the browser's cache and cookies to see if it helps resolve the issue.
Refer here to learn how to clear the browser cache for Chrome, Firefox, and some other web browsers.
- Learn more: How to clear browser cache
In this article, Mytour has just guided you through some ways to fix the Google Drive error 'This Video Cannot Be Played.' If you encounter other issues and don't know how to resolve them, feel free to leave a comment below, and Mytour will assist you.
