Stop videos from autoplaying.

[Pete_123]

Using Firefox Portable on Windows PC.

Until very recently I used to be able to go to my YouTube subscriptions, then right-click on new uploads, and open each one in a new tab. Videos didn't play until I went to the tab and hit the play button.

I think I must have accidentally changed a setting.

Now, I open videos in new tabs, and sometimes videos start playing automatically in the background, without me opening the tab. Other times they don't play, until I open the tab, but when I open it they play without me hitting the play button.

How do I stop this?

I have set the control in the bottom right of the screen to "Autoplay is off". It doesn't help.

 

[aashokfcadvisory]

This usually happens due to browser settings rather than YouTube itself.

Try these fixes:
1. Go to Firefox Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Autoplay → Set to “Block Audio & Video”
2. Also check if any extensions are overriding autoplay (ad blockers, video tools, etc.)
3. Clear cache or test in private window to isolate the issue

Sometimes YouTube’s autoplay toggle doesn’t control background tabs properly, so browser-level control works better.

If you’re working a lot with YouTube, I also share tips and fixes like this on my channel — happy to help if you get stuck