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When I try to send a video from a WhatsApp Web, running on Windows 10 or Linux, the video file gets attached as a file and says "Preview not available":

"Preview not available" screenshot

In order to watch such a video, it has to be saved to a filesystem and then played with a video player app.

How do I send a video from WhatsApp Web, so that it is playable within WhatsApp?

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  • Upload it to YouTube or store it on your phone.
    – desbest
    Nov 22, 2021 at 9:29
  • MP4 is technically not a file format, it’s a container. What is the codec?
    – desbest
    Nov 22, 2021 at 9:30
  • You need to attach it as a Photo/video. When you click the paperclip like button, it shows four options. The bottommost button is the Photo/video button. attach the file using that button
    – Saaransh Garg
    Nov 22, 2021 at 9:32
  • @desbest "MP4 is technically not a file format, it’s a container. What is the codec?" — No idea. Does it matter? Is there a codec that will be played natively by WhatsApp web? Can I convert any video to that codec?
    – lolmaus - Andrey Mikhaylov
    Nov 22, 2021 at 10:12
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    Of course it matters. In the 2000s online video was only served in the codecs of Windows Media Video, Real Video and Quicktime Video. But you don't see that any more online, do you? Try using a video with a H264 or H265 codec.
    – desbest
    Nov 23, 2021 at 5:55

1 Answer 1

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WhatsApp uses the H.264/AVC codec internally.

Other modern codecs such as VP9 and AV1 won't work, and WhatsApp Web is unable to convert them.

The free HandBrake app can be used to convert a video. Simply open a video file in it, on the Video tab choose the H.264 codec and convert, then load the resulting video into WhatsApp Web.

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