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Forum Discussion
Videos supposedly export to my computer but cannot be played outside of Dropbox
I have a series of MP4 videos shared with me via Dropbox and I am able to play them no problem within Dropbox, but when I try to export any of them to my laptop or phone it takes several minutes with...
Hannah
Dropbox Community Moderator
Dropbox Community ModeratorSorry to jump in here, avadoodle, and happy Monday.
What is the size of those files?
Also, are you only using Dropbox through the website or do you have the desktop application installed as well?
If so, are you able to play the files directly from the Dropbox folder on your computer?
Hi Hannah ,
Happy Monday to you too and thanks for your reply!
The files range from about 100-600 MB. I have not tested all of them, but I tested a few different ones to make sure it wasn't just a problem with one particular file being corrupted.
I do have the desktop application as well, but none of my Dropbox files or files shared with me show up there--only when I access Dropbox through the website.
- Walter
Hey avadoodle, could you maybe send us a screenshot of the error or blank page you're getting when trying to preview those files on your computer?
Did you try another 3rd party app to open them by any chance?
Hi Walter , these are screenshots of my path to access the file saved directly to my computer, and what happens when I click the play button. I have tried opening the videos with Movies & TV and with Windows Media Player with an identical lack of results, except that Windows Media Player also responds by freezing up and has to be force quit afterward. My boyfriend has also tried opening the videos (also shared with him) with a Video Editor app and has the same issue, namely that once he imports them to the app they show up as blank.
ter
- Walter
Thanks for the additional information and the screenshots too avadoodle
Since you're able to view those files normally on our website, I'm starting to think that this might be an issue due to a missing codec from your (and your boyfriend's) device.
Have you maybe tried downloading a codec pack for your media players to see if this somehow helps?
If you do and this persists, can you right click on a sample file and send us a screenshot of its properties?
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