Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix PowerPoint Video Not Replaying When Returning to a Slide

Emma Brown Oct 23, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to make a video play automatically again when returning to its slide via a hyperlink during an active presentation.

How to Fix PowerPoint Video Not Replaying When Returning to a Slide

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Presenting a slideshow where hyperlinks navigate back to a previously viewed slide that contains a video set to play automatically.
Observed behavior: The video does not replay automatically upon returning to the slide, as the presentation retains the slide's previously viewed state.

Before you start

Ensure your presentation is saved and make a note of the specific slide numbers where your videos are located before making structural changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Blank Intermediate Slide with Zero-Second Transition

This clever workaround tricks the software into treating the video slide as a fresh view, forcing the video to replay automatically.

Because of a long-standing product limitation, PowerPoint remembers the state of a slide during a single slideshow session. Once a video finishes playing, navigating back to it resumes the slide in its "finished" state. By routing the hyperlink through a blank slide that instantly transitions, you force the program to trigger the "Play" animation again.

Insert a blank slide

In the left-hand slide thumbnail pane, right-click the space immediately before your target video slide and select "New Slide". Change its layout to "Blank".

Set the automatic transition

Click on the newly created blank slide. Go to the "Transitions" tab on the ribbon. In the "Timing" group on the far right, uncheck the "On Mouse Click" box, check the "After" box, and set the timer exactly to 00:00.00.

Update your hyperlink

Go to the slide containing the hyperlink that is meant to return to the video. Right-click the hyperlink text or shape, select "Edit Link" (or "Edit Hyperlink"), and change the target to point to your new blank slide instead of the video slide directly.

Test the playback

Start your slideshow (press F5). Click the hyperlink to jump to the blank slide. It will instantly transition to the video slide, and the video will play automatically from the beginning.

Seamless Transition: Your audience will not notice the blank slide because the zero-second transition makes the visual jump to the video slide instantaneous.

Solution 2

Manually Restart the Video Using Playback Controls

If you prefer not to alter your slide structure or add hidden slides, you can manually trigger the video to play using built-in media controls.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Create and Deliver Engaging Presentations with WPS Office

If you frequently encounter limitations with Microsoft PowerPoint's media handling and transitions, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, feature-rich environment for presentations with excellent multimedia support, completely free of charge.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free, lightweight suite on your device.
2. Open Your Existing Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and click "Open" to seamlessly load your existing .pptx file with all original formatting preserved.
3. Manage Video Settings: Navigate to the slide with your video and use the dedicated "Video Tools" tab to easily manage auto-play and transition settings for a flawless presentation.

Seamlessly open, edit, and save Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) formats without losing formatting or complex media layouts.Lightweight software that runs smoothly even on older devices, ensuring videos and animations play without lag.Familiar user interface that requires zero learning curve for users switching from Microsoft Office.Advanced built-in media handling for precise control over presentation video and audio playback.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does PowerPoint restrict a video from replaying upon return?

PowerPoint is designed to remember the state of a slide during a single active slideshow session. Once a video finishes, returning to the slide loads it in its "finished" state rather than resetting the slide, which is why the automatic playback animation doesn't trigger again.

Does this issue happen if I use the 'Rewind after playing' option?

The "Rewind after playing" option resets the video to the first frame after it finishes, keeping it ready. However, it does not override PowerPoint's default behavior of ignoring the automatic "Play" animation trigger when you navigate back to the slide via a hyperlink.

Can I use VBA macros to force the video to replay?

Yes, advanced users can write a VBA macro (such as an OnSlideShowPageChange event) to reset media playback when a specific slide is activated. However, this requires saving the file as a macro-enabled presentation (.pptm) and might trigger security warnings when shared with others, making the blank slide workaround much safer and easier.

Office App Problems