Stop YouTube Videos from Automatically Playing in Firefox
It drives me crazy that YouTube videos start playing automatically. It's especially annoying when you click on a link from a co-worker and then the phone rings… and then your speakers start blaring a completely inappropriate sound, usually accompanied by terrible dancing.
So I went searching for the best method to disable these videos from playing automatically, and came up with three different options that I've listed for you here.
Method 1: Using the StopAutoPlayingAlready Extension
I've created an extension for Firefox that will prevent YouTube videos from automatically playing by converting the default player to the embedded one that doesn't auto-play.
Note: I can't really take any credit for this, because all of the logic is from the greasemonkey script below. All I did was convert it into an extension for people that don't use greasemonkey.
Once you install the extension, you'll notice that the videos on YouTube.com now have the play button:
To install, download the extension to your hard drive, and then drag it to your Firefox Add-ons dialog:
Install StopAutoPlayingAlready Extension for Firefox
Method 2: Using the Youtube Prevent Autoplay Script
If you love using Greasemonkey you'll probably prefer this method. All you need to do is install the greasemonkey script and it will work exactly as the extension above.
All of the credit goes to Yansky for figuring out this method. I assume he used Fry's 7-leaf clover.
Download Youtube Prevent Autoplay Script from userscripts.org
Method 3: Using the Stop Autoplay Extension
This extension will not only stop Youtube videos from auto-playing, but will stop all embedded media from playing automatically. Note that if you use this extension you really don't need the other solutions.
After installing this extension, you'll notice that the video is completely gone from the page.
Once you click on the video, it will then load and then start playing. This definitely isn't quite as elegant of a solution, but if it's brute force you want, enjoy!
Install Stop Autoplay Extension from Mozilla Add-ons
Method 4: FlashBlock Extension
I'm adding this to the list per suggestion from the readers… you can also use the FlashBlock extension to completely block flash, which is a good option for some people. It will block the flash players exactly the same as the other solutions… just click on it to make it play.
I use "flashblock" instead. It blocks all flash from loading unless you press play button. It helps load pages faster and stops flash ads too.
Thank you. I some times open a lot of YouTube movies in tabs, and then they all start playing. Now I can control which one should play.
Is there any way to make the videos auto DOWNLOAD and not play, so they all start streaming but need to push the "Play" button?
Or use Flashblock http://flashblock.mozdev.org/
Just a thought, but you could try not wasting time during work watching these things.
I too use FlashBlock, but it might not be the most advantageous solution for those who rely heavily on a Flash-based experience. But I love it! No more distracting flashy ads to endure! And I can even set certain sites to to whitelisted, too. But you can bet Youtube isn't one of them. lol
However - I am going to check out the "Stop Autoplay" extension you mentioned, Geek. Seems like it might be an even better solution than FlashBlock.
I have to spend a lot of time doing research online, so FlashBlock doesn't work for me… but it's definitely a good option.
I'm adding it to the list, thanks everybody!
The good thing about FlashBlock is it blocks full-screen ads that many websites have before you can access the website's content (e.g., Forbes, etc).
This has always annoyed me - but I never did anything about it. Thanks man!
I embed some of my YouTube clips on another website of mine. I want to prevent users double clicking on my website-posted clip, which then takes them out to YouTube.
Question 1: Is there any way to prevent losing a user from my website when they double click and are take to the original YouTube embedded video?
Question 2: How do I prevent users downloading my clips as RealPlayer 11 and other media players make it easy for users to take take my content?
Tks
Hit
Hi, pls help me by clarifying this query.
We are playing a flash movie that comes as a mail in our Lotus Notes inbox. This is working fine on WIndows. But when played on Linux OS, it doesn't (irrrespective of the browser used - IE or Firefox). We publish the flash in 8 version. Does Linux has Flash Player 8? Should we publish it in a lower version of Flash?
Please suggest..thanks.
'StopAutoPlayingAlready' doesnt work in firefox 3
Error:document.getElementByTd("playerDiv")has no properties
I get this error when using 'StopAutoPlayingAlready'.
It used to work but ever since youtube changed their skins for the video it stpped working.
Yeah, i get that error too now. I had to disable the addon. Any possibility it could be updated?
[PS] is this a firefox 3 thing? I'm running Beta 5..
I use Flashmute which suppresses the sound from flash applications, or optionally the whole browser. The video will still play, but silently. Also allows me to play flash games with my own background music.