walllisa phylothea kalden
Irmgard Rossie
I've seen several questions about this, but never an answer. On several streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Paramount, etc, I was getting a black screen with no video and could only hear the audio. I use Chrome, but checked Safari and was also getting the issue. I followed all of the troubleshooting steps on Netflix's website; still nothing. However, I found a fix so I wanted to share:
Unfortunately, this doesn't help my issue at all. I have been struggling with this ever since I bought a MacBook Pro. This issues happens with Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, etc. I can't rely on my Mac to stream video. I have to get my iPad Pro for that ?. I tried Safari, Chrome, and Edge and issue is the same every time. I think this is a Mac related issue rather than a browser issue. I am going to contact apple support on this and will update here.
I have been struggling with this forever and couldn't figure out why it was so intermittent. I finally figured out why on my system it was happening. I use multiple screens and will stream while I work. While working I sometimes need to create a video of my screen so I'll pause the streaming, and open up Camtasia to record my screen. If any screen recording software is open all the streaming services will only show black screen with audio. Make sure you have any software that records your screen is closed out. For me that is Snagit, Camtasia, Vidyard, ect.
I had similar problem. I have macbook2023 connected to monitors through dell d6000 universal docking station. Since dell uses DisplayLink technology.. as soon as I connect MacBook to docking station .. currently running Netflix video turns blank with audio streaming on...
I have also been struggling with this forever too. It started again this morning and thankfully found this post. I had my iPad plugged in as a monitor and it turns out this was the cause! Can't believe I'd never noticed this correlation either. Thanks for solving this mystery!
So it was a crashed background process which led to the black screen issue. The Mac even said "Your screen is being observed" at the user login. That may could happen with similar recording software / screen recordings as well.
Just talked to thew Apple Tech support and got a resolution. This is happening due to an interference from one of the "Login items" load during the startup and running in the background. In my case, it was the DisplayLink drive I have installed to support multiple monitors. When I disable the DisplayLink, the issue was resolved immediately. If you don't use DisplayLink, you can troubleshoot the issue by starting Mac in the Safe Mode. Please follow steps below.
Please stream videos in the SafeMode and see if the issue exists. If you can watch videos in the Safe Mode, then issues is with one of the login items and/or extension you have installed. Please restart the Mac. After that, start disabling login items one-by-one to find the defective item.
oh man, but this doesn't help much if you don't use chrome at all and you are still getting the black screen. this is such a puzzle and I am really really surprised no one has found causes and fixes for this yet. like its happening at least twice a month for me now on any streaming that isn't Netflix and I ONLY use safari.(but I still checked the others and they all have same prob too) I have done so much troubleshooting, restarting, turning off any ad blockers and pop up blockers, clearing cache (pain the the rear too that one), and logging in and out of everything all the way to restarting the internet and computer for a full restart cycle. I just wanted to watch some wheel of time on my day off. surely, someone out there knows why this is happening? (MacBook Pro with M1 and Ventura)
Same issue. Was able to make the changes in Chrome and am able to have both sound and video when screen mirroring to TV. Still black screen when trying to screen mirror movie purchased from Apple TV from Mac to TV. Works perfectly when using iPad. Odd.
Was trying to Chromecast Screen or Apple Mirroring The Matrix on Max.com and filter it via ClearPlay but the video was not showing up only the audio... Tried updating/upgrading chrome, ClearPlay extension and nothing... Came across this amazing apple community post and BAM... was able to Chromecast Screen or Apple Mirroring with video and audio... Thanks for taking the time to post.
THANK YOU for this comment!!!! This is what solved my problem! I checked all my apps that records screens and they were not running. I have been trying to figure this one out for so long. Why on earth does iPad sidecar cause this? That is so crazy!
All roku boxes in house show black screen, no audio but has channel guide. I know streaming is fine because my Netflix and others services are streaming just fine. Been 3 days of no service. Am wondering if they are doing upgrades or just stopped free live TV.
We'd like to assist you with this playback issue you're having. Are you referring to The Roku Channel Live TV? If so, are you also experiencing this issue with the on-demand shows available on the channel?
For the past couple weeks or so, watching the Roku channel, and maybe Netflix, Prime, and OTA, as well, the screen will suddenly go black, or shift to another channel, etc. eventually going back to normal, usually within a minute.
Also, when I first go to the homepage, sometimes there'll be just empty squares, or sometimes I click on one, like Roku Channel, it will go to it, but then instantly jump back to the homescreen, etc. Just a lot of glitchy things going on, just recently...
We will be more than happy to assist you further with this issue that you are having with the Roku TV. Please try to restart your modem and router. After restarting your wireless network connection, you may need to restart your Roku TV by going to settings, system, power, and system restart.
@RokuJohnB Yes, I did all those things, and eventually it began working ok again. However, there are still glitches like this happening, from time to time, including tonight. The channel guide said "No Information" on every channel, and wouldn't go higher than just the OTA stations. So I did a system restart, and it once again was working OK, although it took a few minutes to get the correct time...
The glitches that are constant, are mainly when I'm streaming on my computer. The picture is too dark, even when I turn the computer's brightness up. Also, the captioning is on, even when it's not selected. When I change it to setting it on, then off, it will turn off, but than a few minutes later, the captioning comes on again, really weird.
On my Roku TV, my main complaint is that movies on demand, that say in the Guide, "click * to start from the beginning", will start from the beginning anyway, even though I don't click the asterisk! When that happens, it also cancels out the back feature, so I can't go right back to the channel I was watching, as I may have just wanted to see what else is on, during a commercial. Why do they go back to the beginning, even though I didn't click the asterisk key? Why can't this just work right?
Oh, and it seems every few days, when I am on the Roku channel, if I click on one of the movies' trailers, I'll just get the spinning circles, and it'll say either 0%, 69%, or 99%, and then nothing else. If I try to play any of the movies, same thing happens! And sometimes if I go to Netflix, the same thing will happen, usually when I've had this issue with the Roku streams. The only way to fix it, is to do a system restart... It seems like it could be a matter of a build-up of cache, is there some way we can just clear the cache, instead of having to restart my Roku TV?
Only have had this problem with the Spectrum app. No problem with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Youtube. Screen will go black and no sound. This happens at random times while watching Spectrum TV. To get the channel back, I use the back arrow on the ROKU and then go back into Spectrum app. This is an annoying bug. It happens with all my ROKU devices only when using the Spectrum app.
Sorry to hear you're experiencing issues with the Spectrum TV app on your Roku. We are happy to look into this for you. The app works in conjunction with your internet modem. Please sign out of the app, reboot the modem then sign back into the app. Let me know if this helps.
What you are describing is typically caused by connectivity issues. In most cases, restarting the modem resolves these issues. Even if it has been restarted recently, please try restarting another time. You may also need to restart the Roku from the settings menu.
I have confirmed with the developers that the Spectrum TV App for ROKU has been updated to version 11.3 on 12/11/23. This update includes a fix to resolve the random black / blank screen issue.
Updates are usually automatic, to check your current app version, go to the Roku home screen, highlight the Spectrum app and press the asterisk (*) button. If your device has not been updated, select "Check for Updates".
What you are describing is caused by connectivity issues. In most cases, restarting the modem resolves these issues. Even if it has been restarted recently, please try restarting another time. If the issue continues, you can check out this link for app troubleshooting.
90f70e40cf