Unity Web Player has been instrumental in powering a wide variety of 3D online games. However, sometimes, users encounter issues such as Unity Web Player installed but not working.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the reasons behind this issue and provide practical solutions to fix it on popular browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox, along with tips for enhancing your Unity gaming experience.
Understanding the Unity Web Player
Unity Web Player is a plugin that allows browser games developed with Unity 3D to be played directly on your browser.
Despite Unity Technologies’ shift towards WebGL, several games and applications still use Unity Web Player.
Why Isn’t Unity Web Player Working?
1. Browser Compatibility Issues
The primary reason why Unity Web Player may not work is because of browser compatibility issues.
Google Chrome, for instance, stopped supporting NPAPI plugins (including Unity Web Player) from version 45 onwards. Similarly, Mozilla Firefox has ended its support for most NPAPI plugins.
2. Outdated Unity Web Player
An outdated version of the Unity Web Player can also cause issues. Developers regularly update Unity to fix bugs and improve performance, so using the latest version is essential.
3. Incorrect Installation
If Unity Web Player has not been installed correctly, it can lead to issues while running the player. This could be due to a disruption during the installation process or even a system error.
How to Fix Unity Web Player on Chrome
Google Chrome no longer supports Unity Web Player. Therefore, to play Unity games on Chrome, you’d need to enable WebGL instead. Here’s how you can do it:
- Update your browser: Make sure you’re using the latest version of Chrome. To update, go to Settings > Help > About Google Chrome. The browser will automatically check for updates.
- Enable Hardware Acceleration: Go to Chrome Settings > Advanced > System. Enable the “Use hardware acceleration when available” option. This allows Chrome to use your computer’s GPU to make WebGL and, therefore, Unity games run smoother.
- Contact the Game Developer: If you are still facing issues, it may be because the game hasn’t been updated to WebGL. Contact the game developer and inquire about the same.
How to Fix Unity Web Player on Firefox
While Firefox has also ended NPAPI support, you can still enable the Unity Web Player on older versions. Follow the steps:
- Downgrade Firefox: Downgrade to Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) 52 or earlier, as these versions still support the Unity Web Player.
- Enable Unity Web Player Plugin: Go to the Firefox menu > Add-ons > Plugins. Find the Unity Player and choose “Always Activate”.
Remember that using older versions of browsers comes with security risks. It’s better to switch to games that support WebGL, as modern browsers are shifting towards this standard.
How to Fix Unity Web Player for Unity Games
- Reinstall Unity Web Player: Uninstall the current version of Unity Web Player, then download the latest version from the official Unity website and install it. Ensure there’s no interruption during the installation.
- Update Your Graphics Drivers: Outdated graphics drivers can prevent Unity Web Player from working properly. Make sure your drivers are up to date.
- Disable Ad-blockers: Some ad-blockers can interfere with the functioning of Unity Web Player. Try disabling them to see if it resolves the issue.
- Switch to WebGL: If the game supports WebGL, consider switching to it. WebGL is widely supported on modern browsers and provides better performance.
