What should I do differently when trying to link self-hosted videos into the video element in Webflow to avoid "Invalid video link" and "Invalid embed type: link" errors?

Published on
September 22, 2023

When trying to link self-hosted videos into the video element in Webflow, you may encounter "Invalid video link" or "Invalid embed type: link" errors. To avoid these errors and ensure that your videos are properly linked, consider the following steps:

  1. Confirm the video format: Webflow supports various video formats, including MP4, WebM, and OGG. Make sure that your self-hosted video is encoded in one of these formats.

  2. Encode your video: If your self-hosted video is not in the supported formats mentioned above, you will need to encode it. There are numerous video encoding tools available, both online and offline, that can convert your video to a compatible format. Ensure that the output format is supported by Webflow.

  3. Check the video link: Urls are case sensitive, so ensure that the link to your self-hosted video matches exactly, including capitalization and any special characters. Additionally, ensure that the video file is accessible and properly hosted on your server.

  4. Consider the video size and dimensions: It's important to optimize your video for web viewing. Consider compressing your video to reduce file size while maintaining an acceptable quality. Additionally, ensure that the dimensions of your video match the dimensions specified in the Webflow video element settings.

  5. Use the correct embed type: When adding the video element in Webflow, you have the option to either link to a video or embed a video. If you are using the video element to link your self-hosted video, make sure you select the "Link" option and provide the correct URL.

  6. Test your video link: After completing the steps above, it's crucial to test your video link in Webflow. Verify that the video properly plays within the video element on different devices and browsers.

Following these steps should help you avoid "Invalid video link" and "Invalid embed type: link" errors when linking self-hosted videos in Webflow. Ensure that you correctly encode your videos, check the link format, optimize them for the web, and properly set up the video element in Webflow.

Additional Questions:

  1. How do I optimize self-hosted videos for web viewing in Webflow?
  2. Can I link videos from external sources in the Webflow video element?
  3. What are the alternative methods to embed videos in Webflow?