What is the problem with the mp4 video not loading after a hard page reload in Chrome, even though a custom code has been embedded to display it in the hero section of the website?

Published on
September 22, 2023

It can be frustrating when a video fails to load, especially after implementing custom code to display it prominently on your website. If you're experiencing this issue specifically in Google Chrome after a hard page reload, there are a couple of possible reasons for it:

  1. Caching: Chrome aggressively caches static resources like images, scripts, and videos to improve website loading times. This means that when you hard reload the page, Chrome may still rely on the cached version of the video, leading to playback issues. To tackle this, you can try one or more of the following solutions:
  • Clear the browser cache: In Chrome, you can do this by opening the DevTools (F12), right-clicking the refresh button, and selecting "Empty Cache and Hard Reload." This ensures that the browser fetches the latest version of all assets, including the video.
  • Add query parameters to the video URL: By appending a unique query parameter to the video URL, such as ?v=1.0, you force the browser to retrieve the video as a new resource, bypassing the cache. Make sure to update the query parameter value whenever you make changes to the video.
  1. Encoding or file format issues: The problem might not lie with the browser or caching but with the video file itself. Here are some steps to troubleshoot encoding or file format issues:
  • Check the video format: Ensure that the video file is in a format supported by all browsers, such as MP4 (H.264 codec) with AAC audio. Different browsers have varying levels of support for different video formats, so it's essential to choose a widely compatible one.
  • Confirm correct encoding settings: Double-check that the video has been encoded with the correct settings. This includes using the appropriate codec, bit rate, resolution, and frame rate. Using a tool like HandBrake or FFmpeg can help you determine the optimal settings.
  • Test the video outside of the website: Download the video file and try playing it locally in a video player to see if it loads and plays without any issues. If not, you may need to re-encode the video with different settings or use a different format.

By addressing these potential issues, you should be able to resolve the problem with the MP4 video not loading after a hard page reload in Google Chrome. Remember to clear the browser cache and ensure proper encoding and file format to ensure smooth playback.

Additional Questions:

  1. Why is my MP4 video not playing in Google Chrome?
  2. How can I force Google Chrome to load the latest version of a video file?
  3. What are the best video encoding settings for web playback?