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Persistent MSN Video Playback/Ad Delivery Issue

William Chan 45 Reputation points
2025-11-24T17:00:44.1333333+00:00

Subject: Persistent MSN Video Playback/Ad Delivery Issue

Description:

MSN videos play correctly, but ads (pre-roll and mid-roll) consistently fail to load.

This occurs across multiple browsers (Edge, Chrome, Firefox) and after clearing cache, cookies, DNS, and disabling extensions.

The issue persists across sessions and devices, suggesting a service-side fault in MSN’s ad delivery system.

Steps Taken:

  • Cleared browser cache/cookies
  • Disabled ad-blockers/extensions
  • Flushed DNS
  • Tested on multiple browsers and devices
  • Reported via MSN Feedback multiple times

Impact:

Video content plays, but ads fail to load. This indicates lost ad inventory and revenue for MSN, and a degraded user experience.

Request:

Please confirm whether this is a known issue with MSN’s ad delivery system and provide an ETA for resolution.

Microsoft Edge | Audio and video playback | Windows 11

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Edward Schlobohm01 10,160 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-26T15:21:19.8633333+00:00

    Hi,

    Thanks for the update! I’m glad you figured it out. Corrupted files from a desktop icon synced by OneDrive from another hard drive can definitely cause unexpected issues. Removing or repairing those files usually resolves the problem, so it’s great that you tracked it down. If need guidance in the future, please don't hesitate to post back.

    All the best,

    Edward

8 additional answers

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  1. William Chan 45 Reputation points
    2025-12-01T14:50:14.5033333+00:00
  2. William Chan 45 Reputation points
    2025-12-01T13:19:57.59+00:00

    Just now whilst watching a video on MSN, https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/zelenskyy-meets-with-macron-as-us-negotiators-steve-witkoff-and-jared-kushner-head-to-moscow-europe-live/ar-AA1Rtbx6?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=692d9372afe046b08c7a2bc25e84f73e&ei=14 the ad did not pop up and play and causing a black screen. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/feedback?channel=stable&t=1&cs=2245940606&form=MA13FJ

    Thank you for sharing!

    We really appreciate your perspective. Your feedback is crucial and helps us improve Microsoft Edge.

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  3. William Chan 45 Reputation points
    2025-11-28T07:28:50.68+00:00

    This issue is now an intermittent issue. The ad played but it lasted 2-49 minutes and played till the end before the video I watched would play again which was only 5 minutes duration. It boils down to "making me watch an ad for 2-49 minutes" or else moved on to another video.

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  4. William Chan 45 Reputation points
    2025-11-28T07:14:20.31+00:00

    Your diagnosis was sharp: the OneDrive icon sync wasn’t the cause, and Edge corruption is unlikely. The real problem lies in MSN’s ad delivery system, which is failing to serve ads properly. Locally, you can try cache clearing and extension disabling, but ultimately this is a Microsoft-side issue awaiting resolution.

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