Fix: Twitch Error 4000 – Resource Format Not Supported Error

Are you getting a black screen with "Error #4000" code on Twitch? Here is a super simple fix that anyone can do. No more broken Twitch!

Error codes on Twitch can look intimidating when you first see them, but they are usually very easy to solve!

The reasons for encountering errors on this popular online entertainment platform can vary greatly. Sometimes the issue will be caused by a bug on Twitch’s end, but it can also be a faulty extension or third-party software that the user has installed on their PC.

Twitch Error 4000
The Twitch Error 4000 problem – Black screen and interrupted media playback.

Fortunately, there are always straightforward solutions to help you overcome these problems.

In this guide, we will explore methods to resolve Twitch Error 4000 – Resource Format Not Supported Error. If you’re experiencing this problem, you’re in the correct location to overcome it.

Table of ContentsShow

What Exactly Is Twitch Error 4000?

Judging by the number of Google searches, active Reddit threads, and Twitch forum topics regarding this problem, it’s clear that there is a great deal of confusion surrounding the 4000 Error.

This isn’t unexpected, as error codes signify very minimal to anyone who isn’t a Twitch developer. What precisely is the 4000 error on Twitch?

After studying this subject, it seems there are several factors that can lead users to experience this troublesome error when viewing streams. Some of these potential causes are outlined below.

  • The viewer was running another media player or a digital audio workstation in the background.
  • A hardware interference (usually audio-related) caused the error.
  • A recently installed or updated driver or software caused the issue.
  • The user’s browser cookies and cache contained too many files.

Most of these are considered normal parts of using a PC, yet they appear to cause the 4000 Error on Twitch.

To overcome the problem, you might need to sacrifice some of your freedom while viewing Twitch. Fortunately, the solutions are simple and shouldn’t require much of your time.

Fix 1: Refresh The Stream

You should try this solution first, as it is the simplest fix. Restarting your stream takes less than five seconds, and some users mentioned that it aided them in resolving the Error 4000 issue.

You can manually click your browser’s refresh button or press the F5 shortcut on your keyboard.

Twitch browser refresh button

If the window successfully refreshes, but the stream still won’t play due to the 4000 error, move on to the other fixes.

Fix 2: Pop Out The Twitch Player

Another quick fix is to pop out the Twitch player. Follow the steps below to do so.

  1. Open Twitch on your browser of choice. You don’t need to log in.
  2. Load the stream you want to watch.
  3. Click the cogwheel icon and choose “Popout Player” from the menu.
    Popout Player to pop out Twitch player

Try viewing the stream in the popped-out window. It should work normally without you encountering the 4000 Error.

Fix 3: Close Any Active Media Players Or Workstations

It’s always tempting to multitask, especially if you have a powerful PC or a dual-screen setup. Producing music or editing a video while watching a stream on your other monitor is perfectly normal. However, this can sometimes cause issues with Twitch.

closing active media players or workstations

According to this Reddit thread, keeping a media player or digital audio or video workstation open while watching a Twitch stream can cause the 4000 Error.

As much as you might be accustomed to multitasking, it could be necessary to pause for a while to overcome the issue.

Reddit users have reported multiple programs that interfered with Twitch, so be sure to close any of these if they are open before trying to view a stream.

  • VLC Player (Media Player)
  • Reason Studios (Digital Audio Workstation)
  • Studio One (Audio Engineering Workspace)
  • FL Studio (Digital Audio Workstation)
  • Premiere Pro (Video Editing Software)
  • AVID (Video Editing Software)

These are some confirmed examples of programs that can interfere with Twitch and cause the 4000 error, but there could be many others.

It is worth closing everything on your PC, other than your Chrome browser, to verify if this is causing your issue.

Fix 4: Clear Browsing Cache And History

A few users mentioned that deleting their browsing cache and history resolved the Twitch Error 4000 for them.

If you haven’t done this recently, the accumulation might be causing the problem. If you are a Chrome user, here’s how to do it quickly.

  1. Open Chrome on your PC and click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
  2. In the dropdown menu, choose Settings to open the configuration panel.
    Twitch Can Not Change Username
  3. Scroll down until you see the Privacy and Security section. Choose Clear Browsing Data to access the final window, where you will be doing the cleanup.
    Twitch Will Not Let Me Change Username
  4. Tick the boxes next to each of the three available options, as shown in the image below. Finish by clicking Clear Data in the bottom-right corner. Be sure to select All time in the time range field.
    Clear Browser Cache On Google Chrome

Restart your browser and visit Twitch again. You should now be able to watch a stream without experiencing the Twitch 4000 Error.

Fix 5: Plug And Unplug Audio Hardware

Some viewers use headsets, while others use speakers. Whatever your preferred way of hearing audio from Twitch streams, changing the port where your audio device is plugged in could completely solve the issue.

plugged audio device changing ports

If you have multiple free ports on your PC, you can try each of them until you find one that works. Below, you can see another image confirming this solution. You can read the full thread here.

trying multiple ports on PC

Fix 6: Uninstall Any Unnecessary Driver Software

The majority of modern gaming hardware, such as headsets and mice, includes dedicated software developed by the manufacturer. These programs allow you to change settings (DPI, Sound Modes, etc.) RGB settings, and other similar options.

They can offer extra advantages when using your machinery but may also result in problems.

Several Twitch users have reported that installing such software on their computers made the 4000 error appear. You should try closing them before loading a stream to see if the issue is being caused by those active processes.

In extreme cases, you might even need to uninstall these apps completely.

This also applies to related software such as “Driver Boosters” or “Game Boosters,” as they are known to interfere with other apps besides Twitch.

Fix 7: Set The Autoplay Policy To “Default” On Chrome

This is another simple yet effective fix. It might appear challenging, but by following the steps below, you can get it done in no time.

  1. Open Chrome on your PC.
  2. In the URL address bar, type “chrome://flags” without quotation marks. Press Enter on your keyboard.
    typing chrome flags in URL address bar
  3. A panel with various experimental options will appear. You will need to find the one called “Autoplay Policy” using either the panel’s built-in search option or the Ctrl + F function.
  4. After finding the Autoplay Policy setting, change its value to default.

This should resolve the problem, which will let you continue watching Twitch streams without experiencing the 4000 error.

Fix 8: Use A Different Browser

Using a different browser is always an option. If Chrome or Firefox, the two most popular browsers, are causing problems, there are many alternatives that you can switch to, even if it’s only temporarily.

In one of our guides, we explore the major browsers compatible with Twitch. If you are out of ideas, the guide should help you find your ideal browser. 

Fix 9: Download The Twitch Desktop App

Twitch has a desktop app that you can download for a very similar viewing experience with less chance of encountering bugs.

You won’t need to re-learn anything about Twitch, as the interface is very similar to the website, and the overall design is user-friendly.

Conclusion

These are all the currently known fixes for the 4000 error. None of them require the user to be tech-savvy, so you should be able to try them out for yourself by following the instructions listed in this guide.

Hopefully, after trying a few of them, you will be able to watch Twitch streams without any further interruptions.

Related Reads

Twitch Hosting Not Working
Fix: Twitch Hosting Not Working
Bojan Veselinovikj
LinkedIn

Bojan is a video-game developer and a tech enthusiast. Combining these two passions allow him to keep you informed on everything that's new in this fast-paced digital world.