How to Fix: Videos Downloaded from Google Photos Won't Play

Part 1. Why Are Google Photos Downloaded Videos Not Playing

Two main reasons exist why you can’t play video Google Photos properly. Below are the most prevalent reasons that lead to this problem need to be considered.

☞ Unsupported Codec Format:
Codec mismatch functions as the primary cause which stands responsible for this problem. MP4 stands as the video file format but each MP4 file holds VP09 as the video codec that remains less commonly supported by players. The playback difficulties occur when newer players try to play files containing VP09 or H.264 while expecting VP08 or H.264.

☞ Corrupted Video Files:
Semi-corruptions often occur to the video content during the download phase. The video file could become damaged or incomplete because the internet dropped before the data transfer finished or because the server lost its connection during transmission.

☞ Outdated Media Player:
Your computer will fail to show the video or limit playback to audio only when it utilizes an outdated default media player or lacks essential codecs.

☞ Platform-Specific Bugs:
Users experience technical problems while using the software in the following scenarios:

• Downloading files from Google Drive and Google Photos through macOS systems.
• The video plays sound correctly inside the editing environment although the screen preview section remains black.

☞ Incorrect File Extension:
The file download sometimes contains a mistaken or deceptive file extension which matches the wrong file format. The labeling of the file as an .mp4 extension does not help several video editing programs or players properly decipher its format.

Part 2. How to Fix Videos Downloaded from Google Photos Won't Play [4 Ways]

If you are also facing the Google Photos video not playing issue, then these 4 solutions will help you get out of this problem.

1. Install the K-Lite Codec Pack

Sometimes the video is in the VP09 codec, and your media player cannot work with this codec. Installing the codec pack from K-Lite can solve the issue and here is how to do it:

• Go to the official K-Lite Codec Pack website and download the basic or standard version.

• Run the installer and follow the setup prompts. While installing, pick “Advanced” while asked to select an “Installation Mode”.

  

• When selecting “Decoding method” for “Settings for MPC-HC” and “Settings for other DirectShow applications”, please enable all codec options.

  

• Once installed, you can restart the video player and it will solve the issue.

2. Play Google Photos Video in VLC Media Player

When the video is downloaded from Google Drive on Mac and added to a video editor like Filmora, the google photos video turns black but audio can be played. Both the original file stored in the cloud and the downloaded file share the same format - MP4/MPEG4.

However, they have a different coding format: originally it uses vp08, meanwhile, the downloaded one has the newer vp09. vp08 is older and less supported format when compared with vp09. The solution to this problem is to play these videos in a VLC media player by following the steps below:

• Download and install the VLC Media Player on your device.

• Drag the video file and drop it into the VLC window to open it with VLC.

  

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3. Upload Video from Phone to Google Drive and Download It to Computer

Uploading your video to Google Drive from your phone and downloading it to your computer from the Google Drive website appears to solve the issue. It is because it removes Google Photos from the process hence resolving the codec incompatibility problems.

• Open the Google Drive app on your phone, switch to “Files” tab > “My Drive”, and tap “+” at the lower right.

  

• Then choose “Upload File” > “Photos and Videos” to select your desired video from gallery. Once selected, tap “Upload”.

• Now, go to Google Drive on your computer and log in with the same account. Here you can find and download your desired videos.

4. Change Video File Extension

Many programs can play the video, but they refrain from doing so because of the file name extension. Renaming the file name extension tricks the software into thinking that the video is compatible, and runs it.

The best part is that the process is very simple, and it takes the following steps:

• Right-click the video file downloaded from Google Photos and select “Rename”.

• Change the file extension, such as from ".mp4" to ".mov", “.tpm” to “.mp4”, etc.

  

• Restart the video player and open your file.

Part 3. Best Way to Fix Unplayable Videos Downloaded from Google Photos

When all standard methods have failed, a badly encoded or partially corrupted video should be considered. If the download or encode process is interrupted by an unstable internet connection, storage device issues, etc., it may be damaged or corrupted. Fortunately, it is not too late to restore such files. What you need is a professionally designed video repair utility.

The dedicated tool 4DDiG Video Repair provides the necessary solution for any video problem: not playing, corrupted, damaged, freezing, black screen, no sound, not opening, and more. Without complicated steps, you can one-click to batch repair your unplayable videos that are downloaded from Google Photos in multiple formats, no matter how heavily damaged they are.

✨ Why Choose 4DDiG Video Repair

• Handles videos with playback errors, black screen, audio-video desync, corruption, freezing, and more.
• Supports multiple video formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI M4V, and others.
• Work with multiple sources, like computer, phone, storage media (e.g., Google Photos/Drive), drone, camera, etc.
• Easily deal with seriously damaged video files.
• Support batch fix multiple videos in various formats at once, saving time.

✨ Steps to Fix Videos Downloaded from Google Photos Not Playing

If you can't play videos in Google Photos, here is how the 4DDiG Video Repair tool can help to fix them:

• Start 4DDiG File Repair software on your computer and click the “Video Repair” section from the left “Corrupted File Repair” tab.

  

• Click the "Add Videos" button to select and add videos that you downloaded from Google Photos. Or, drag and drop them to the repair utility.

  

• Click “Repair All” button after you have added all the videos that need to be repaired and wait as 4DDiG repairs them within seconds.

  

• Click the “Preview” button against a video to see the repaired results. Now you can individually, or batch save the videos by clicking “Save” or “Save All” button.

  

This process of repairing your videos that won’t play is not only simple, but it is also very quick. Since it requires no technical expertise, anyone can perform it with ease.

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Part 4. People Also Ask about Google Photos Videos Not Playing

Q1: How to download videos from Google Photos

Open Google Photos. Select the video file from your choice list. Now you can perform a download operation by selecting the Download button from three-dot menu.

Q2: How do I open a video in Google Photos?

If you want to play videos in Google Photos, you should simply click on their thumbnail since this opens a default web player that handles all Google-encrypted formats.

Q3: How do I view unsupported videos on Google Photos?

The display will show an error notice when a video lacks support. So, the file can be played after 4DDiG Video Repair provides a solution to fix it. Making the codec compatible and uploading the video back to Google Photos will fix it.

Conclusion

Videos downloaded from Google Photos won't play when the codecs cannot operate together or if the file becomes corrupted. Replaying the problematic file becomes possible either by installing K-Lite Codec Pack or running the file through VLC Media Player or completing an upload/download cycle within Google Drive.

Still not working? Install 4DDiG Video Repair because it serves as a professional tool to repair broken unplayable or corrupted video files, particularly from Google Photos downloads.

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