How can I ensure that my Webflow home page only loads at the end of the video, even if the animations are difficult to understand? Additionally, how can I make sure that the HD video plays on bigger screens or resolutions, even if it is slightly pixelated? Lastly, why isn't the audio playing on my Webflow page?
TL;DR
Use a native HTML video with an ID and JavaScript to delay homepage content until the video ends.
Serve HD video via multiple tags in a
Autoplay videos must be muted; allow user interaction to enable audio playback due to browser autoplay restrictions.
You're trying to delay the homepage load until a video finishes, ensure HD video loads on larger screens, and solve an issue with audio not playing. Here’s how to approach each.
1. Delay Homepage Load Until Video Ends
Autoplay video and detect when it finishes: Webflow doesn’t support JS by default, but you can add custom code to interact with your video element (like watching for the ended event).
Steps:
Embed your video using a native HTML video element (not background video component).
Assign it an ID (e.g., introVideo) and add a cover div over your homepage.
Use custom code in the page footer to hide the cover only when the video ends. Example snippet (remove for this guideline but keep in implementation):
On video ended ➝ hide cover / show main content.
Alternative (if using Webflow interactions):
You can create a timed interaction that lasts the same length as your video.
Not reliable if users skip or if the video doesn’t load consistently.
2. Ensure HD Video Loads on Large Screens
Upload multiple video resolutions, serve the HD version for large screens using custom HTML with source elements:
Example: Load 720p for small screens, 1080p for large.
Since Webflow’s background video component compresses files:
Avoid Webflow’s built-in background video if quality is a concern.
Use a native <video> tag with multiple sources and use media queries or the media attribute in <source> tags to load appropriate resolution.
Optimize for pixelation:
Compress video externally using tools like HandBrake at higher bitrates.
Use MP4 (H.264) for broad compatibility.
3. Fix Missing Audio Playback
Most browsers block autoplay with audio due to autoplay policies.
To enable audio:
Do not autoplay with sound enabled. Either:
Let users click a Play button first (preferred method), or
Set the video to autoplay muted, and allow users to unmute it later.
Background videos in Webflow are muted by default and cannot play audio.
Use a native video element instead if you need audio.
Check browser console for media errors and confirm there's no CORS restriction or file load issue.
Summary
To make your Webflow homepage wait for a video to end, use a custom video element with JS to reveal content after playback. Serve HD video using multiple resolutions linked in a native video tag. For audio, autoplay must be muted—add a user-triggered control to allow sound playback due to browser restrictions.
