Errors / JavaScript errors

DOMException: play() failed because the user didn't interact with the document first

A video or sound tried to play on its own and the browser stopped it.

The video sits still where the design expected it to play.

Why it happens

• Chrome blocks autoplay with sound until the visitor has clicked or tapped on the page.
• The play() request was interrupted by a call to pause() or by a new load: the video was paused or its source changed before playing started.

How to fix it

1. Autoplay muted (muted and playsinline on the <video>), and let the visitor turn the sound on.
2. Catch the promise play() returns and show a play button when it rejects.
3. Chrome's rules differ by visitor: someone who often plays media on the site may be allowed autoplay with sound, and a first-time visitor is not, so it works for the team and fails for new visitors. Test it in a new private window, which starts with no history.

Whose problem it is

Usually the site's own code or settings.

Often seen with

• Uncaught (in promise)Something the page asked for in the background failed, and no code was there to handle it.