Is there a bug in Webflow causing background videos to only display the first frame as a still image, even though no changes have been made to the projects?

A known issue has recently affected Webflow background videos where only the first frame displays and the video does not play. This behavior can occur even if the project hasn't been changed.

1. Current Behavior of the Bug

• Background videos appear frozen, showing only the first frame.
• This issue has been reported in both Designer preview mode and live published sites.
• It affects projects that were previously working correctly, with no user-side changes triggering the issue.

2. Webflow’s Response (as of June 2024)

• Webflow has acknowledged the issue.
• The problem may be caused by a recent update to the video player system or browser-level conflicts.
• Users have reported it via the Webflow Forum and support channels, and Webflow is investigating.

3. Workarounds to Try (Until Resolved)

• Remove and re-upload the video in the background video element.
• Host the video externally, e.g., on Vimeo or YouTube, and embed it as a custom video section (note: this loses native background video behavior).
• Replace the background video element altogether and reconfigure it from scratch.
• Keep video files under 30MB and in .mp4 format, as required by Webflow.

4. How to Report or Track Progress

• Visit Webflow’s Status Page (https://status.webflow.com) to watch for updates.
• Submit a bug report to Webflow Support if not already done.
• Engage with the Webflow Forum thread to monitor community fixes or updates.

Summary

A bug in Webflow is causing background videos to show only the first frame instead of playing normally. While Webflow is actively investigating, temporary fixes include re-uploading or embedding the video externally.