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The videos won’t play on my computer

Learn what to do if videos do not play in a challenge or Cog, and how to check whether your network or browser is blocking the content.

If a video does not play when you open a challenge or Cog, the issue is usually related to your network, browser, or device settings.

In many organisations, security rules can block video content without showing a clear message. The steps below will help you identify and fix the problem.


Steps to take

Start with the simplest steps. Most video issues are resolved early on.


1. Try a different network

This is the most common fix.

  • If you are on your organisation’s network, switch to your home Wi‑Fi

  • You can also try your phone’s hotspot

  • Reload the challenge or Cog and try the video again

If the video plays on another network, your organisation’s security settings are likely blocking the content.


2. Try basic troubleshooting

These quick steps often resolve temporary issues.

  • Refresh the page

  • Restart your browser

  • Restart your device

  • Clear your browser cache

After each step, return to the challenge or Cog and test the video.


3. Try a different browser

Sometimes the issue is browser‑specific.

  • If you are using Chrome, try Microsoft Edge

  • You can also try Chrome Canary as a test browser

  • Open the same challenge or Cog and check the video

If the video works in another browser, the issue is likely with your primary browser settings.


4. Try a different device

This helps confirm whether the issue is device‑related.

  • Try opening the challenge or Cog on another computer or tablet

  • Use a different network if possible

If it works on another device, the issue is local to your original setup.


If the video still does not play

We may need more technical detail to understand what is blocking the video.

Follow the steps below carefully.


Steps to capture error details

1. Open Google Chrome

Make sure Chrome is fully open.

2. Open Developer tools

  • Press F12 on your keyboard

  • The Developer tools panel will appear

3. Open the Console

  • Click on the Console tab in Developer tools

4. Reopen the video

  • Go back to the challenge or Cog

  • Navigate to the screen with the video

  • Wait for the error to appear

5. Take a full screenshot

  • Capture the entire browser window

  • Make sure the screenshot includes:

    • The address bar with the URL

    • The full Developer tools panel

    • The error message in the Console

6. Send the screenshot to support

This helps the support team see exactly what is happening.


Helpful to know

  • Video issues are often caused by network security settings

  • Trying a different network is the fastest way to confirm this

  • Providing screenshots helps resolve the issue more quickly

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