If you’re encountering the frustrating “unable to load video” error on your iPhone, especially with videos stored on iCloud, this guide will walk you through various troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue. This error typically appears with the message, “An error occurred while loading a higher quality version of this video.” While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, following these methods can help you fix videos that won’t load on your iPhone.
How to troubleshoot “unable to load video” on iPhone
Follow these steps to diagnose and resolve the “Unable to Load Video” error on your iPhone, starting with simple fixes and progressing to more involved solutions.
- Restart your iPhone.
- To turn off: Press and hold the side/top button and volume button (for iPhones without a Home button) or just the side/top button (for iPhones with a Home button).
- To turn on: Once off, press the side/top button for a few seconds until the Apple logo appears.
- For a force restart: Press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button, then press and hold the side/top button until the Apple logo appears.
- Accept new iCloud terms and conditions. Go to Settings > Apple ID Suggestions, then tap Terms and Conditions under the “New iCloud Terms and Conditions” header. If you don’t see this, you likely already accepted them.
- Check your iPhone’s storage space. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. To check video size, navigate to the video and tap the “i” button at the bottom. The number under “Main Camera” indicates the size.
- Update your iPhone’s iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and follow any on-screen instructions for pending updates.
- Duplicate the problematic video. Navigate to the video, tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, then tap Duplicate. You may find the new copy works or it triggers the original to load.
- Send the video via another app and re-download it. Use apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Discord to send the video to yourself, then download the copy you sent.
- Open the video in your iPhone’s editor. Navigate to the video and tap the Edit button in the upper-right corner. Some users report this action resolves the loading error.
- Change the video’s format. Tap the share button (looks like an arrow coming out of a box) under your video. Then, tap the Options button near the top. Under “Format,” select Current or Most Compatible instead of Automatic. Tap Done, then close the share menu.
- Toggle the video as a favorite. Tap the heart button (favorite) under the problematic video to favorite it, then tap it again to unfavorite it.
- Check your network connection. Ensure you have stable cellular service or are connected to a strong Wi-Fi network, as iCloud videos require an internet connection to load.
- Contact Apple Support if all other methods fail. Visit the Apple Support website, describe your issue, and choose to Call Now or Schedule a Call, or use the Chat option to speak with a representative.
What to do next?
Once you’ve successfully resolved the “Unable to Load Video” error, consider implementing preventative measures to avoid future occurrences. Regularly backing up your photos and videos to iCloud or other cloud services can provide peace of mind and free up local device storage.
Additionally, make it a habit to check for and install iOS updates when they become available. These updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can prevent common issues like video loading errors. Staying proactive with storage management and system updates will contribute to a smoother iPhone experience.
