Cannot play h.264 videos Topic is solved

[morerokk]

I recently updated my Windows installation. But now, I can no longer play most HTML5 videos. Facebook videos will not play. YouTube still works, but I am restricted to 360p quality. When I browse to https://youtube.com/html5, it says that h.264, MSE & H.264 and MSE & WebM VP9 are not supported.

Operating system: Windows 10 Education 64-bit
Browser version: 27.7.0
32-bit or 64-bit?: 64-bit
Installed extensions: None
Installed plugins: Java, Adobe Flash

I have already tried updating my NVidia drivers, and installing ffdshow. Neither helped. Under content preferences, MSE is enabled. Disabling makes no difference.

Google Chrome seems to play videos with no problems, so it does not appear to be a system-wide problem.

[trava90]

Try removing the HEVC codec (see the many other forum threads).

[morerokk]

Try removing the HEVC codec (see the many other forum threads).

Thanks, this solved my issue! I couldn't find any other threads on the matter, even after extensive searching.

[context]

I couldn't find any other threads on the matter, even after extensive searching.

I'm not familiar with HEVC. And with no threads on the subject, would you mind explaining what change you made?

Thanks.

[trava90]

would you mind explaining what change you made?

The most common action has been for users to simply uninstall it.

[context]

I'm not familiar with HEVC.

I'm really not trying to play dumb, here. But, uninstall what? ... the codec?

If so, then does this condition only arise if someone has installed an HEVC codec? (which I'm not aware that I have)

And BTW, I'm at the point of determining whether to update to 27.7. Issues like this are ones I want to avoid ... or at least be aware of.

[trava90]

I'm really not trying to play dumb, here. But, uninstall what? ... the codec?

Yes the codec. Do a forum search for HEVC, there's plenty of threads regarding this issue and solution already. I'd suggest taking a look at some of them.

If so, then does this condition only arise if someone has installed an HEVC codec? (which I'm not aware that I have)

Microsoft pushed this out at one point to Windows 10 users as part of their automatic updates.

And BTW, I'm at the point of determining whether to update to 27.7. Issues like this are ones I want to avoid ... or at least be aware of.

This has nothing to do with Pale Moon 27.7.0. This has to do with Microsoft "updates" (see above) and will affect Pale Moon regardless of version.

[morerokk]

I couldn't find any other threads on the matter, even after extensive searching.

I'm not familiar with HEVC. And with no threads on the subject, would you mind explaining what change you made?

Thanks.

In your Windows 10 settings, go to "Apps & Features". You can probably get here by searching in the start menu, too.

Then in the list of programs, search for HEVC and remove it.

I think this codec was pushed as a part of the Creator's Update (which Enterprise and Education users will only have gotten recently).

[context]

Windows 10 settings, go to "Apps & Features" . . . in the list of programs, search for HEVC and remove it.

Thanks, morerokk. That's specific. Just what I needed (and the explanation). Hope this will help others, as well.

[Sablesword]

I'm running Windows 7 pro 64-bit with PM 27.7.0 64 bit and I'm having the same problem. I can play H.264 videos with Chrome, Firefox, and Brave, but not with Pale Moon.

I'd try the "uninstall HEVC" fix, except that I can't find any HEVC installed on my system. What's the fix for Windows 7?

[SLotman]

I can't play them on Win8 either. The solution I have is a poor one: disable hardware acceleration.

[pmBill]

M$ installed HEVC (again?) on 1/8 and I only had a problem today. (certain YT videos)

I looked in Windows 10 Apps and Features, did a search for HEVC, found it this time (before I couldn't),
uninstalled it, rebooted, and now it works.

[New Tobin Paradigm]

Face it.. Post Windows 8 Windows is a rabid release service you are in no way in control of. It is a cell phone and you have no choice whatsoever. Welcome to the future.

[cathteg]

Thank you for breaking that down, really helpful and now it works.

(Bloody windows updates.)