How to Fix OneDrive Video Embed Opening in a New Tab
Question details
The user wants to embed a OneDrive video in an external website's iframe so it plays inline, but clicking the video thumbnail forces it to open in a new browser tab.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to embed a OneDrive video on an external platform, such as a WordPress lesson page or external blog.
- Observed behavior
- The iframe displays the video thumbnail correctly, but clicking it opens and plays the video in a separate browser tab instead of playing it inside the iframe.
Verify that your video file has the correct sharing permissions set in OneDrive, and confirm that your website builder supports standard HTML iframe embedding.
Use an Alternative Video Hosting Platform for External Embedding
Since Microsoft restricts inline playback on external domains by design, use a dedicated video hosting platform to achieve true iframe playback.
Microsoft implements strict security policies on OneDrive to prevent cross-site scripting attacks and protect sensitive user credentials. As a result, OneDrive videos embedded on external websites (like WordPress) will always open in a new tab.
To achieve true inline iframe playback on an external site, you must host your video on a service specifically designed for public video embedding.
Create a free account on a dedicated video platform such as YouTube or Vimeo, and upload your video file there.
Once the upload is complete, navigate to the video's sharing settings and copy the provided iframe embed code.
Go to your WordPress lesson page or external website editor, add a custom HTML or Video block, and paste the embed code into the editor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do OneDrive videos open in a new tab instead of playing inline?
Microsoft restricts inline iframe playback of OneDrive videos on external domains to protect user credentials and prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Opening the video in a new tab is a deliberate security design.
Does embedding OneDrive videos work on SharePoint pages?
Yes. If you embed a OneDrive video within a Microsoft 365 service, such as a SharePoint Online site, the video will play directly within the page because it is within the same trusted environment.
Can I change OneDrive permissions to allow external iframe playback?
No. Even if you set the video sharing permissions to 'Anyone with the link can view', the external iframe will still force the video to open in a new browser tab due to the overarching security restrictions.
How can I request Microsoft to support inline video embedding on external sites?
You can submit a feature request directly to Microsoft by visiting their official Feedback Portal at feedbackportal.microsoft.com and explaining your use case.
