why do MSN videos stop go black screen at ads

Question

why do MSN videos stop go black screen at ads

Felix Barbetti 0

When viewing videos of interest the topics sometimes /oftem stop at an ad where scrips says video will continue after ad is completed, But the background goes black and freezes

How can this be remedied ?

0 comments

3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Felix Barbetti 0

Tried some cleaning but still encounter blockage intermittedly.

Too complicated --time and patience wise so accepting limitations

Reducing screen time has benefits too

Thanks

Vikki-T 9,595 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-01-28T15:00:04.91+00:00

Dear Felix Barbetti,

Thank you for the update, and I appreciate you trying the cleanup steps.

I understand the issue is still happening intermittently, and I also understand your decision to stop further troubleshooting given the time and patience involved. Thank you for sharing your perspective, and I understand you’d prefer not to spend more time troubleshooting this right now.

Thank you again, and I hope your viewing experience is smoother going forward.

Answer 2

Dear Felix Barbetti,

Thank you for your question and for sharing the details into Microsoft Q&A Forum.

I’m sorry for the inconvenience you’re experiencing when the video reaches an ad and then shows a black screen/freeze. Have you got the chance to check the AI answer yet? Its advice is excellent and worth a try. To help check and potentially improve the playback on Android, please also try the steps below. These checks may help isolate what’s affecting the video experience and restore normal playback.

1. Quick checks

If you watch in a browser:

Please try Incognito/InPrivate then open the same MSN video and check if the issue still happens.

If you watch in the Microsoft Start (MSN) app

Force close the app and reopen it, then test again.
If possible, open the same video link in a browser to compare.

2. Check network/privacy features

Please try these temporarily and test the video again:

Turn off VPN/Proxy (if enabled).
Check Private DNS settings
- In your Android device: Open Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS
- Set it to Off or Automatic, then test again.
If you have any ad-blocking or privacy apps/features, temporarily disable them and test.

3. Clear cache/site data

If using a browser

Clear browsing data (at least Cached images/files and Cookies/site data), then restart the browser.
If available, clear site data specifically for msn.com.

If using the Microsoft Start (MSN) app

Settings > Apps > Microsoft Start (or MSN) > Storage
- Tap Clear cache
- If the issue continues, try Clear storage (note: this may reset sign-in/app preferences)

Update app and restart the device

Please update the app, then restart the phone and test again.

I hope the steps above help improve the MSN video playback on your Android device and prevent the screen from going black during ads. Wishing you a smooth and uninterrupted viewing experience going forward.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Vikki-T 9,595 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-01-28T11:46:38.49+00:00

Dear Felix Barbetti,

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue.

Have you had a chance to check the replies provided?

Any update would be appreciated.

Answer 3

The issue of videos going black or freezing during ads can be attributed to several factors, including network conditions, browser performance, or issues with the ad itself. Here are some potential remedies you can try:

Check Network Connection: Ensure that your internet connection is stable and has sufficient bandwidth. Poor network conditions can lead to video playback issues.
Clear Browser Cache: Sometimes, clearing the cache and cookies of your browser can resolve playback issues. This can help remove any corrupted data that may be causing the problem.
Update Browser: Make sure that your browser is up to date. Outdated browsers may have compatibility issues with video playback.
Disable Extensions: Browser extensions can sometimes interfere with video playback. Try disabling any unnecessary extensions to see if that resolves the issue.
Try a Different Browser: If the problem persists, try using a different browser to see if the issue is specific to the one you are currently using.
Adjust Video Quality: If possible, lower the video quality settings. This can help if your connection is struggling to keep up with higher quality streams.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, it may be beneficial to report the problem to the support team of the video service you are using for further assistance.

References: