---
title: "How to Fix Black Screen During Video Playback | EasySignage"
description: "A black screen during video playback usually means the player cannot decode the file. Use Video Optimize or re-encode at a lower bitrate and resolution."
url: https://easysignage.com/how-to/tech-faq/how-to-fix-black-screen-when-playing-video/
---

# How to Fix a Black Screen When Playing Video on Digital Signage?

Learn why a digital signage screen goes black during video playback and how to re-encode or optimise the video so it plays.

## Why does my screen go black when a video starts?

The player cannot decode that video. The usual mismatch is the video’s **resolution**, **codec**, or **bitrate** being beyond what the device supports.

Other media in the same playlist keeps playing normally, so a single black item in an otherwise working loop points at that one file.

## How do I fix it?

-   Run the built-in **Video Optimize** tool on the media item to convert it to a more compatible format
-   Re-encode the video with a widely supported codec and a lower bitrate
-   Drop the resolution, for example from 4K to 1080p, and test playback again

Test one change at a time so you know which one fixed it. If playback works after optimisation, the original file was the cause.

## Which video settings are safest?

MP4 is the recommended video format in EasySignage, and MP4 with JPG images is what we recommend for Samsung Tizen, Android TV, and BrightSign players. Reserve 4K files for devices you have confirmed can decode 4K, and keep the bitrate moderate, since a very high bitrate can stall a low-powered player even when the format itself is supported.

## What if every video is black?

That is a different problem. A screen that shows nothing at all for any video points at the display input, the player output, or the app rather than a single file. Check that the correct HDMI input is selected and that images in the same playlist do appear.

## Helpful Links

-   [Which File Formats Are Supported for Content Upload?](https://easysignage.com/how-to/media/which-file-formats-are-supported-for-content-upload/)

-   [What Content Can I Display on Digital Signage?](https://easysignage.com/how-to/media/what-content-can-i-display-on-digital-signage/)

-   [Black Screen When Playing a Video](https://easysignage.com/help/troubleshoot/black-screen-when-playing-video/)