Video Embedding Problems

This article covers how to fix common problems when adding videos to your WordPress website.

Check Your Video URL

1. Go to the video on YouTube or Vimeo
2. Copy the full web address from your browser's address bar (not the share link)
3. In WordPress, paste this URL on its own line in your page or post
4. WordPress should automatically turn it into a video player

Do not use the short share links (like youtu.be) or embed codes. WordPress works best with the full website address.

Fix Videos That Won't Display

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Go to the page where the video should appear
3. Click Edit
4. Look for any extra characters or spaces before or after your video URL
5. Delete these and save your page
6. Check if your video URL starts with https:// (not http://)

If the video still doesn't show, try removing the URL completely, saving the page, then adding it back.

Upload Videos Directly to WordPress

For small video files (under 50MB), you can upload directly:

1. In your WordPress editor, click Add Media
2. Select your video file from your computer
3. Wait for it to upload (this may take several minutes)
4. Click Insert into Page

Large video files may fail to upload due to file size limits. For business videos longer than 2-3 minutes, use YouTube or Vimeo instead.

Problems with Video Players

If your video shows but won't play:

1. Check the video is set to Public (not Private) on YouTube or Vimeo
2. Try viewing your website in a private/incognito browser window
3. Test on a different device or ask someone else to check
4. Clear your browser cache and refresh the page

Some workplace or school internet connections block video content. This isn't a problem with your website.

Video Quality and Loading Issues

Videos may load slowly or appear blurry due to:

• Large file sizes (keep under 50MB for uploads)
• Visitor's internet speed
• Peak usage times

To improve video performance, upload your videos to YouTube or Vimeo first, then embed them on your website. This reduces the load on your Web60 hosting.

Mobile Video Problems

If videos don't work on phones or tablets:

1. Use MP4 format for uploaded videos
2. Ensure embedded videos are from YouTube or Vimeo
3. Avoid Flash-based video players (these don't work on mobile)
4. Test your website on different devices

For help with other media issues, see our guide on adding images and media.

If you're still stuck, contact our support team with the specific page where the video should appear and the video URL you're trying to use.

FAQ

Q: Why won't my YouTube video show on my website?

A: Check you're using the full YouTube URL (not a share link) and that the video is set to Public, not Private.

Q: Can I upload videos directly to my website?

A: Yes, but keep files under 50MB. For longer videos, use YouTube or Vimeo and embed them instead.

Q: My video works on desktop but not mobile - why?

A: Use MP4 format for uploaded videos and avoid Flash players. YouTube and Vimeo embeds work best on all devices.

Q: Why is my video loading slowly?

A: Large video files slow down your website. Upload to YouTube or Vimeo first, then embed for better performance.

Q: What's the difference between uploading and embedding?

A: Uploading puts the video file on your Web60 hosting. Embedding displays a video from YouTube/Vimeo without using your hosting space.

Q: Why does my video show a black box instead of playing?

A: This usually means the video URL is incorrect or the video has been deleted from YouTube/Vimeo. Check the original video still exists.

Q: Can I add videos to any page on my website?

A: Yes, you can add videos to pages, posts, and most content areas using the WordPress editor.