How to Fix SWF files Not Playing or Working in Chrome

SWF(Small Web Format) files have been a popular choice for presenting multimedia content on the web due to their compact size and ability to combine videos, animations and audio into a single file. However, if you are experiencing issues with SWF files not playing or working in Google Chrome, you may find it disheartening. This problem often arises due to the discontinuation of Adobe Flash Player, which Chrome relied on for SWF support. Fortunately, Google Chrome now handles SWF files through extensions and built-in Flash support. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with effective troubleshooting solutions to help you resolve the SWF files not playing or working issue in Chrome. So, let’s dive into it!

How to Play SWF Files in Chrome Browser

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s essential to ensure you know how to properly enable SWF support in your Google Chrome browser. Follow these steps to enable SWF playback in Chrome:

1. Head over to the Flash player extension page in your Google Chrome browser.
2. Click the “Add to Chrome” button next to “FlashPlayer – SWF to HTML” extension.
3. Access the Extension Manager by clicking the icon in the upper right corner and select “Manage extensions”.
4. Enable the Flash player extension by toggling the switch to the ON position.
5. Once enabled, you can open any SWF file by right-clicking on it and selecting “Open with Google Chrome”.

Fix: SWF Files Not Playing or Working in Google Chrome

Restart Your Chrome Browser

A simple yet effective first step is to restart your Google Chrome browser. Minor software bugs and glitches can often interfere with SWF playback. If needed, perform a complete system restart, as this can address various software-related issues.

1. Close Google Chrome by removing it from the recent taskbar or by clicking the “X” on the browser window.
2. Wait for a few seconds to ensure Chrome fully closes and then relaunch it from the Start menu or desktop.
3. Attempt to play SWF files again and check if the issue persists.
4. If the problem persists, consider restarting your computer by pressing and holding the power button until the screen turns off and then turning it back on.

Check Your Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is crucial for accessing and playing SWF files in Google Chrome. Unstable or slow internet connections may prevent proper playback. To resolve this:

1. Ensure you are connected to a reliable and stable network.
2. Try restarting your modem or router to refresh the network connection.
3. Test other online content to verify the stability of your internet connection.

Try Converting SWF to Other Formats

If the SWF files are still not playing, consider converting them to other formats using software like Adobe After Effects. This conversion can resolve compatibility issues and make the files accessible in Chrome.

1. Download and install Adobe After Effects on your computer if you haven’t already.
2. Open Adobe After Effects and click on “File” at the top left corner of the screen, then select “Import” to browse for the SWF file you want to convert.
3. Adjust the settings and choose a new format for the conversion.
4. Click “Convert” to initiate the process and once completed, try playing the converted file in Chrome.

Download an Outdated Chrome Version

If playing SWF files in the current version of Chrome proves problematic, consider trying an older version of the browser. Older Chrome versions may still have built-in support for SWF files.

1. Uninstall your current version of Google Chrome.
2. Visit a reliable source that offers older versions of Chrome(ensure the source is trustworthy to avoid malware).
3. Download and install an older version of Google Chrome on your computer.
4. Launch the old version and attempt to play SWF files.

Try Using Internet Explorer

If Google Chrome fails to launch SWF files, try playing them in Internet Explorer, as it may still have built-in plugins to support SWF files.

1. Start Internet Explorer and click on the gear-shaped Settings icon at the top right corner of the screen.
2. Choose “Manage add-ons” from the pop-up list.
3. Click on “Toolbars and Extensions” on the left side of the screen.
4. Scroll to find “MWTPA” and select “Shockwave Flash Object”.
5. Click the “Enable” button to enable the plugin and then save the changes.

Use VLC Player

VLC Media Player is a versatile and widely used media player that supports various file formats, including SWF. You can use VLC Player as an alternative to Chrome for playing SWF files.

1. Download VLC Media Player from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Launch VLC Player and go to “Media” in the top menu, then click “Open File”.
3. Select the SWF file you want to open, or drag and drop the SWF file into VLC Player.
4. VLC should be able to play the SWF file without any issues.

Download KMPlayer for Windows

KMPlayer is another reliable media player that can handle SWF files effectively. Download KMPlayer for Windows and use it to access SWF files.

1. Download KMPlayer for Windows from a trusted source and install it on your computer.
2. Launch KMPlayer and click on the drop-down menu located at the top left corner of the screen.
3. Choose “Open” and then “Open Files” from the drop-down menu.
4. Browse your device’s storage to find the SWF file you want to play and click “Open”.

Try Using Elmedia Player

For both Windows and Mac users, Elmedia Player is a powerful media player that offers additional features. Install Elmedia Player and try playing SWF files through it.

1. Download Elmedia Player from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Launch Elmedia Player and click on “File” to open the SWF file you want to access.
3. Choose the SWF file from your computer and Elmedia Player will play it seamlessly.

Download SWF Player on Android

If you are unable to access SWF files in your Chrome browser on your computer, you can still play SWF files on your Android device without using Google Chrome.

1. Download and install the SWF Player app from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Once downloaded, open the app and click on “Local files”.
3. Choose the SWF files from your device and click “Play”.

Update Your Device Software

Ensure that both your computer’s operating system and Google Chrome browser are up-to-date. Running on outdated software can cause compatibility issues with SWF files.

1. Check for software updates on your computer and install any available updates.
2. In Google Chrome, go to the menu(three vertical dots) in the top right corner, click “Help”, and select “About Google Chrome” to check for Chrome updates.
3. If updates are available, Chrome will automatically download and install them.

Conclusion

SWF files have been a valuable format for presenting multimedia content on the web. If you encounter issues with SWF files not playing or working in Google Chrome, don’t worry. By following the comprehensive troubleshooting solutions mentioned in this guide, you can resolve the problem and enjoy smooth access to SWF files. We hope this in-depth guide helps you overcome any SWF-related issues you were facing. Happy browsing and enjoy your multimedia content hassle-free!

Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.