Why Is My HLS Stream Not Playing in Chrome on Android?

If your HLS stream isn’t playing in Chrome on Android, it is likely due to the stream being served over HTTP instead of HTTPS. This guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

Troubleshooting Steps

  1. Ensure HTTPS is Configured

    • HLS streams must be served over HTTPS to play in Chrome on Android. Serving over HTTP will cause playback issues.
    • How to Configure HTTPS:
      • Obtain an SSL certificate. Wowza Streaming Engine customers can get a free SSL certificate and domain from the StreamLock service.
      • Configure the SSL certificate in Wowza Streaming Engine.
  2. Check Stream URL

    • Verify that your stream URL starts with https://.
    • Example:
      https://your-domain.com/live/stream.m3u8
  3. Update Player Settings

    • Ensure your video player is configured to use the HTTPS stream URL.
  4. Test the Stream

      • Open Chrome on your Android device and navigate to the HTTPS stream URL to test playback.
      • If the stream still doesn’t play, clear the browser cache and try again.

Additional Tips

  • SSL Certificate Validity: Ensure your SSL certificate is valid and not expired.
  • Firewall Settings: Check that your firewall allows traffic on port 443 (HTTPS).

Additional Resources