MiVideo: YouTube Video Starts Muted

Environment

Canvas
MiVideo Mediaspace

Issue

Why are YouTube passthrough videos starting muted?

This only occurs in Canvas and Mediaspaces with upgraded players.

Resolution

This is due to a recent change made by YouTube.

When a YouTube player is embedded into a third-party player (like Kaltura/MiVideo) a muted state is automatically enforced. Modern browsers such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge enforce strict autoplay policies and block videos from autoplaying. Embedded YouTube videos follow the standard browser rules, even if autoplay is disabled YouTube’s autoplay-detection logic still triggers, causing the video to start muted.

Resources and Questions

• Check out the new Academic Technology@Michigan website for course planning resources from across U-M.
• Visit the Canvas @ Michigan site for faculty including the U-M Instructor Guide with links to additional support resources from across campus.
• Check out the Canvas and MiVideo tutorials.

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.