Mac stops playing Netflix/Plex
 

Over the past month or 2, my Mac would randomly stop playing videos from Netflix and Plex. Tried multiple browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari. Netflix and Plex would work completely fine from my PC at the very same moment. Similar issues with Spotify during the same incident. Could never figure out what was causing the issue but a computer restart would allow videos to play again.

This happened again last night. Did a restart, this time videos did not work. Everything is up-to-date, no new software installed recently. I have Plex set to pull as HTML5 as opposed to Flash. Netflix will not stream the actual video, but I can see the description overlay.

Very strange and I'm unable to find anything online about it. Anyone have a random guess as to what may be blocking the video play?

For clarification, right now the following programs will not play audio or video: Netflix, Plex, iTunes, or Spotify.

I'm making some progress, finally.

I changed the audio input to the built-in speakers, instead of using my Mbox and everything seems to work. Clearly the issue must be Mbox drivers. Why that would randomly happen is beyond me.

Found new drivers. Problem solved. Still odd it was intermittent.

Thanks for all of your help. ;-)

I used to work in tech support. Ignored all email and ICQ requests for help for an hour then I would call.

Most of the time the problem solved itself. That was over 10 years ago but it looks like I could drop back into the job quite easily if I had to. :)

So it wasn't an Apple conspiracy ... LOL