- Google Chrome is currently the most popular browser in the world with millions of users worldwide.
- Some users reported various Chrome issues and one of these is File could not be played error.
- To fix this, it’s required that you reset your browser settings and disable the hardware acceleration.
- In addition, we mentioned an efficient cleaning solution that delivers reliable support to clean browsing data.
- Easy migration: use the Opera assistant to transfer exiting data, such as bookmarks, passwords, etc.
- Optimize resource usage: your RAM memory is used more efficiently than Chrome does
- Enhanced privacy: free and unlimited VPN integrated
- No ads: built-in Ad Blocker speeds up loading of pages and protects against data-mining
- Download Opera
Many Windows 10 users reported encountering the error message Error loading media File could not be played in Google Chrome.
This issue is common for video files, blocking Chrome users from accessing the respective content.
The error seems to be caused by a conflict with the media player or errors caused by cookies and extensions.
Fortunately, we’ve managed to come up with a series of fixes to help you fix this issue.
How can I fix error loading media error in Chrome?
1. Delete cache and cookies
Every once in a while, it’s recommended to clear the cache in Google Chrome. Users have reported that doing so could help fix Chrome errors, including ones related to loading media files.
Chrome and other modern browsers cache a lot of data. The cache size typically exceeds hundreds of megabytes. The primary goal of a cache is to locate something quickly on the local server rather than having to load it from the whole internet.
However, because of the large number of indexed data, searching time on the local server increases as well when the cache size is large.
As a result, you may occasionally receive an error message in Chrome stating that you are unable to play a specific media file.
Once your system is cleaned, it provides your device with more free space and improved speed, so you may be able to play the desired media file in Chrome.
With a specialized cleaning tool that convinced millions of users, it’s possible to erase browsing data entirely from your system.
CCleaner is the right cleanup software when you require optimizing tools like the disk analyzer for freeing up memory, registry cleaner, or Internet cache and history custom clean.
2. Use another Browser
In this article, we are presenting several solutions on how you can fix the not loading media file error on Chrome, but before you start going through them, you should first consider whether it would not be easier to simply switch to a different browser.
And, if you want to use a reliable tool, then we think you should consider installing Opera on your device.
The great thing about Opera is that it comes with various built-in packages, enhanced resource consumption, and great design.
Because Opera already has an integrated VPN you can be sure that all your data is being kept private.
As for error loading media, Opera is has a video pop-out functionality that has significantly improved users’ experience. This feature allows you to continue browsing on other sites while the opened video is playing and staying on the ground.
Opera
Use Opera, and watch your favorite media files error-free. Get it now!
3. Disable hardware acceleration
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and click Advanced.
- Find Use hardware acceleration when available in the System section.
- Press the toggle to turn it off.

- Restart Google Chrome.
4. Reset the browser settings
- Open Settings.

- Click Advanced to expand the advanced settings.
- In the Reset and clean up section > click Reset.
- Reload Chrome.
5. Update Google Chrome
- Click the Three button icon on the top right corner of the browser.
- Scroll to the Help section.
- Click About Google Chrome.

- The update process will then start on its own.
- Hit the Relaunch button after the update is done.
6. Disable extensions
- Click the Three button icon on the top right corner of the browser.
- Expand the More tools.
- Select Extensions.

- Disable the extensions.
- Restart the browser.
We hope that at least one of our solutions helped you fix the issue regarding the online video loading issues. If you know of other working solutions, feel free to leave a comment in the comment section below.
Have additional multimedia problems in Chrome? You may consider the Chrome hub for more in-depth solutions.