There’s nothing more frustrating than settling in for your learning journey on Coursera, only to find that the videos won’t play correctly in your Chrome browser. Whether your screen stays blank, the video buffers endlessly, or the playback quality is poor, these problems can disrupt your course progress and become a major annoyance. But don’t worry—this guide will walk you through some proven methods to fix Coursera videos not working on Chrome. Let’s get you back on track to learning!

Common Causes of Coursera Videos Not Working

Before jumping into solutions, understanding the root of the problem can help. Here are some common reasons why Coursera videos may not function properly in Chrome:

• Outdated browser version.
• Corrupted cache and cookies.
• Extensions or ad blockers interfering with video playback.
• Incompatibility with specific browser settings or flags.
• Slow or unstable internet connection.

Let’s dive into how you can fix these issues step by step, ensuring a seamless experience on Coursera again.

1. Update Google Chrome

Often, simply running an older version of Chrome can cause compatibility issues with sites, including Coursera. To fix this:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Go to the menu by clicking the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Select Help → About Google Chrome.
4. Chrome will automatically check for updates. If available, click Update Chrome.

Once updated, restart your browser and try playing a Coursera video. This might solve the issue in minutes.

2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can resolve conflicts with saved website data that may lead to playback issues. To do so:

1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Chrome.
2. Select Settings.
3. Scroll down and go to Privacy and Security.
4. Click Clear Browsing Data.
5. Check Cached Images and Files as well as Cookies and Other Site Data, then hit Clear Data.

Reload the Coursera page and check if the video plays without issues.

3. Disable Browser Extensions

Some extensions, especially ad blockers or privacy tools, can interfere with video content. To identify the culprit:

1. Type chrome://extensions/ into your address bar and press enter.
2. Disable extensions one by one by toggling off their switches.
3. Refresh Coursera after disabling each extension to check if the issue persists.

If a specific extension is causing the issue, you may want to keep it disabled while using Coursera or replace it with an alternative.

4. Reset Chrome Settings

Misconfigured Chrome settings or flags can also cause video playback problems. Resetting your browser to default settings can help:

1. Go to Settings in Chrome.
2. Scroll to the bottom and click Reset Settings.
3. Select Restore Settings to Their Original Defaults.

This process doesn’t delete bookmarks or saved passwords, but it will reset preferences and disable extensions temporarily.

5. Test Your Internet Connection

A slow or unstable internet connection may seem like an obvious issue, but it’s often overlooked. Check your connection speed using online tools like Speedtest. If your internet is slow:

• Switch to a more reliable Wi-Fi or wired connection.
• Try restarting your router.
• Avoid downloading large files while streaming videos.

Keep in mind that Coursera recommends a minimum bandwidth for video playback—ensure your connection meets it.

6. Enable or Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration in Chrome can sometimes cause issues with video playback, depending on your computer. Toggle this setting and see the result:

1. Go to Settings in Chrome.
2. Click System under the Advanced tab.
3. Toggle Use Hardware Acceleration When Available on or off.
4. Restart Chrome to apply the changes.

Try playing a Coursera video again to see if this resolves the issue.

7. Reach Out to Coursera Support

If none of the above fixes work, the issue might be specific to Coursera’s platform. Contact their support team or visit their help center for further assistance. Be sure to explain the problem in detail and include your browser and system specifications.

Quick Recap

To fix Coursera videos that are not working in Chrome:

• Ensure your browser is up to date.
• Clear cache and cookies.
• Check for problematic extensions.
• Reset Chrome settings or toggle hardware acceleration.
• Verify your internet connection.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to resolve most playback problems quickly. So don’t let a tech hiccup get in the way of your learning—get back to your courses with confidence!