How to Auto start video with audio not muted?

1

Greetings,
I am unable to auto start a video on a landing page with the audio not muted. Any hints? Thanks!

2

@safoster71 it has been mentioned a number of times here…
This has nothing to do with Sparkle but everything to do with the new browser guidelines (but I think it is more than 2 years old now) where the browser cancels the video sound on a page load and it can only be manually activated by the User.

1 Like
3

I think we are lucky that it is that way, otherwise we would be bombarded with the sounds of ads.

4

What about YouTube or any streaming platform? How they accomplish this? When you press on the video cover it starts playing automatically.

5

They make their own code, they can do whatever they want, I suppose. But it’s a good question to which I don’t have the definite answer.

6

To auto-start a video on a landing page with audio unmuted in most modern browsers, you need to navigate strict browser policies that prevent auto-play with sound by default. Here’s a breakdown of the situation and possible solutions:

Why This Happens

Modern browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Edge block videos from auto-playing with sound for user experience reasons, primarily to prevent unwanted noise.

Workarounds and Solutions

  1. User Interaction Requirement
    • Solution: Add a subtle interaction (like a “play” button or overlay prompt) on the landing page. Browsers consider even a minimal user action sufficient to allow video playback with audio.

  2. Muted Auto-Play with Unmute Button
    • Allow the video to auto-play muted and include a visible “unmute” button overlay.
    • Use Sparkle’s built-in tools to customize the video player and overlay text/icons.

Example code for an overlay button:

Unmute

  1. Browser Policy Compliance (Unmuted Playback)

Some browsers will allow auto-play with audio only if the user has previously interacted with the site or granted permission:
• If possible, build familiarity with your audience (returning users may bypass restrictions).
• Encourage users to interact by including non-intrusive call-to-actions.

  1. Silent Background Videos (with Audio Option)

Use silent auto-play as a background element and link to a “full video experience” with sound:
• In Sparkle, set the video to auto-play muted, loop, and use minimal opacity layers to give it an engaging look.
• Add a visible button for viewers to enable sound or watch the full video in a new modal or page.

  1. Mobile Considerations

On mobile devices, autoplaying videos with sound is typically blocked outright. Focus on:
• Muted autoplay with captions.
• A “click to play with sound” button optimized for mobile screens.

  1. Custom HTML with Inline Policies

For advanced users comfortable with coding, inject HTML that includes autoplay, muted, and playsinline attributes, and then toggle muted via JavaScript based on user preferences:

  1. Test Across Browsers

Browser behavior may differ:
• Test in Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox.
• If unmuted auto-play is critical, consider informing users which browser settings to adjust.

  1. Sparkle-Specific Tips
    • Sparkle provides video embedding options. Use these to set up autoplay and test muting features.
    • Ensure the video settings are correct under Video Options:
    • Enable “Autoplay.”
    • Check “Loop.”
    • If “Muted” is selected, guide users to enable sound manually.