How to Disable Autoplay for Videos on Websites

Video autoplay on websites can be annoying, consuming both extra data and system resources. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to stop videos from automatically playing in your browser. Let’s go over the main methods to tackle this.

1. Use Browser Settings

Modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari have built-in settings to block autoplay for media. Here’s how to adjust these settings:

Chrome

  • Open Settings from the browser menu.
  • Go to Privacy and Security and select Site Settings.
  • Scroll down to Additional Content Settings and find Video.
  • Here, you can disable autoplay for all sites or specify certain websites.

Firefox

  • Go to Settings and choose Privacy & Security.
  • Find the Autoplay section and select Block Audio and Video or set it to your preference.

Safari

  • Open Safari and go to Settings.
  • Select the Websites tab and choose Auto-Play.
  • Set it to Never Auto-Play for all websites or for specific ones.

2. Use Browser Extensions

If browser settings aren’t enough, try dedicated extensions to block autoplay:

  • Stop Autoplay for Chrome - an easy-to-use extension to block autoplay, with customizable settings for different websites.
  • AutoplayStopper for Firefox - an extension for Firefox that stops autoplay for both video and audio on websites.

3. Disable JavaScript on Specific Sites

If autoplay is a problem on specific sites, try disabling JavaScript for those pages. Note that this may affect other site features:

  • In Chrome, go to Site Settings and turn off JavaScript for a specific site.
  • In Firefox, use Content Settings to control JavaScript usage.

4. Manage Autoplay on Mobile Devices

You can also limit autoplay on mobile devices:

iOS

  • Go to Settings > Safari > Auto-Play.
  • Turn off the option to prevent autoplay.

Android

  • On Android devices in Chrome, open Site Settings.
  • Find Autoplay and turn it off to stop media from automatically playing.

We hope these tips help you manage autoplay on websites and make your browsing experience smoother and more enjoyable.