Online video-playback black squares

[see3]

Not sure if this is a computer issue or not.

Sometimes when I watch a video online a black-checkerboard or random black squares pop-up on the video screen. They come and go all through the video playback. It happens on Facebook and a lot of other sites.

All of my drivers have been recently updated.

Anyone else noticed this?

 

[Madhur B]

Hi see3,

The issue could be related to Flash Player or video drivers. To isolate the issue please provide the following information:

1. From how many days are you facing this issue?
2. Does it happen only in one browser (i.e., in Internet Explorer) or even in other browser?
3. Also, have you checked if the issue occurs while playing a video files stored on the Hard Drive (i.e., sample videos or movies)?

For any clarifications feel free to contact me.

 

[see3]

Hi see3,

The issue could be related to Flash Player or video drivers. To isolate the issue please provide the following information:

1. From how many days are you facing this issue?
2. Does it happen only in one browser (i.e., in Internet Explorer) or even in other browser?
3. Also, have you checked if the issue occurs while playing a video files stored on the Hard Drive (i.e., sample videos or movies)?

For any clarifications feel free to contact me.

Hi Madhur B, thanks for your reply.

1. This has always been an issue. I've had this laptop with Vista for around 3 years. Before that I had another laptop with XP for about 4 years. The same black-squares issue for both.
2. I use Internet Explorer only and don't know if any other browsers have this issue.
3. Yes, it happens if I download a video and then watch it, but the squares are sometimes green instead of black. (They are either green or black. Not both colors in the same video.)

Before I wrote this reply, I watched the video that started this topic, and the black squares were still there... however ...when I clicked the HD button at the bottom of the Facebook video screen the black squares vanished. Not sure if I turned the HD on or off but the video was much more enjoyable without the black checkering.

So, I guess, this may be the cause? Or at least the solution to my issue?

Best, see3

 

[Madhur B]

Hi see3,

I believe the videos are getting pixelated due to which you are able to see the black boxes on the video.

It would be advisable to watch the video in 480p or in HD quality to ensure that it would not pixelate.

For example, if you are watching a video on YouTube you can change the video quality. Instead of choosing the video quality manually, settings can be changed so that every video plays in HD or a set quality. Please follow steps mentioned below to change the settings for YouTube:

1. Please login in your account.
2. Go to settings.
3. On the left side, click Playback.
4. Ensure to set Video playback quality as “Always choose the best quality for my connection and player size”.

For any clarifications feel free to contact me.

 

[see3]

Hello again Madhur B,

I don't do the whole Social Media thing, so I haven't joined YouTube yet, but I screen captured your info for any future use.

Thanks again, see3

 

[Galaxywars]

hello Madhur B.....i have the EXACT same problem as see3...except mine are black squares in and out,not green...then the video plays great,then back to the black squares....it happens on a few sites i go too...to watch free movies and tv shows....i only use I.E. 9....when i used I.E. 8,i never noticed this problem...i recently downloaded the newest adobe flash player hoping this would help...at first it did,now the black is back...i have had this problem for 3 weeks now....i went too the playlist that came with this pc and the 3 live playback videos played perfect...i watched them 3 times...not one distortion showed up...the sample playbacks only lasted 1 minute a piece...so maybe that was not long enough too notice anything...i hardly download anything on this 4 year old pc...i virus scan,malwarebytes and disk cleanup everyday.... 2 months ago i had too use my D-drive partition too do a recovery install cause of a bad virus....everything went well...puter was perfect again,speed back...i did not get any disk when i bought this HP pavillion..i guess the D-drive is all i was gonna get...i don't even know if this D-drive has a repair section...i think it is just for recovery install...some videos and tv shows play all the way thru...without any black squares or distortions..but enough where i want too get it fixed...if you need additional info,let me know...i am just a novice pc person....if anyone else has GOOD advice for a fix...send it please..i will check this posting section daily.....after recovery install,when black squares showed up...i did a system restore a week later..that helped but was not the fix i needed...i have adobe flash player 11.5 version...thx.....

 

[Madhur B]

Hi Galaxywars,

Please follow the below mentioned steps to further troubleshoot:
1. Uninstall and reinstall Video drivers from the computer and check. Please refer following link to uninstall a driver: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/171469-uninstall-device-device-driver.html
2. If issue persists, uninstall Internet explorer 9 please follow the link: How to uninstall Internet Explorer 9? - Microsoft Support

Please post the results.

 

[Galaxywars]

ok....thx for the speedy reply..soon as i can,i will post results..

 

[Madhur B]

Hi Galaxywars,

If issue persists, you can get back to us. We would be glad to help you further.

 

[Galaxywars]

hello again...went too programs,windows upate...went down the list and uninstalled IE 9....uploaded IE 8...so far,the black squares and distortions have not returned....thx for the fix...one other thing...when i open device manager...is it a good idea too go thru and try too update new drivers...basically to update that whole manager?....will check back and thx again....

 

[Madhur B]

Hi Galaxywars,

Yes, drivers can be updated using Device Manager. There are other ways to update the drivers:

1. By running Windows Update.
2. Manually updating the drivers from Vendor’s website.

For any clarifications feel free to contact me.

 

[Galaxywars]

OK...i uninstalled IE 9...have 8 now..have adobe Flash player 11.5...the newest one....the black blocks have returned...a few movies and tv shows are tolerable..mostly it is bad.....so i use different links to see if they work...putlocker,sockshare,vreel,videoweed,gorilla,stagevu,etc...all these links worked before...so i went too the Brink page you sent me...about uninstall driver or device......so far black squares are still appearing...will go back to device manager and uninstall drivers for graphics and display...restart pc and see if that works....but too be honest...i have no idea exactly what drivers to uninstall..that would have any effect on the black blocks....maybe it is something else causing this...i have avast 4.8 free...and the newest Malwarebytes...the newest adobe reader...thats about all i have downloaded far as i can see...virus checks are clean...this has me stumped.....i will try sfc/scannow later...your help is needed...thx a million......

 

[Madhur B]

Hi Galaxywars,

Try to downgrade the version of Adobe Flash Player and check if the issue occurs.

In addition, try to check in a different browser (like Mozilla or Google Chrome).

Also, the video that are been played are they at high resolution (like HD video or Full HD video) or a lower format videos?

Please post the results.

 

[Galaxywars]

i have this thing called GMA...graphics media accelerator...it says my resolution is at 1280x800...the highest it looks like....i tried the other 3 and the black boxes still appear...so i went too adobe and down loaded an older version...10.3.....but after i uninstalled 11.5,restarted my puter... the zip would not un zip...tried another version...it would not unzip...so i put 11.5 back on....did not try another browser yet because IE should work...can this GMA driver help with my problem.....when i watch movies or tv shows,from any web site...you tube,ABC,CBS,hulu...etc,etc....i never touch any settings because...i just watch....how do i change these settings too see if that helps...also,adobe reader 10...the newest one...do i need that on my computer...does that have anything too do with adobe flash player...and why do so many sites require me too have adobe...i have windows media player....isn't it just as good.....what browser do alot of you admin people say is the best one too use....maybe i need to switch....these block boxes are really bugging me now...i do appreciate your help....have a good day....

 

[wither 3]

As long as you keep Windows updated, the Windows drivers for your devices will be kept up to date. However, for some devices, such as the graphics card and the optical drives, it is best to go to the manufacturer's website and use their drivers. If you have a laptop, you should go to the vendor's support website for drivers and firmware.