diff --git a/public/js/main.js b/public/js/main.js
index c84be3e..7da5271 100644
--- a/public/js/main.js
+++ b/public/js/main.js
@@ -233,7 +233,33 @@ document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
         updateVolumeControls();
         updateFullscreenControls();
         schedulePlaybackChromeHide();
-        videoPlayer.play().catch(() => {});
+        const startPlayback = async () => {
+            try {
+                await videoPlayer.play();
+                return;
+            } catch (error) {
+                console.warn('Autoplay with audio failed, retrying muted:', error);
+            }
+
+            try {
+                videoPlayer.muted = true;
+                if (volumeSlider) volumeSlider.value = '0';
+                await videoPlayer.play();
+                updateVolumeControls();
+                return;
+            } catch (error) {
+                console.warn('Muted autoplay failed, waiting for manual play:', error);
+            }
+
+            if (playBtn) {
+                playBtn.disabled = false;
+                playBtn.textContent = 'Play';
+                playBtn.classList.remove('hidden');
+            }
+            setPlaybackStatus('Ready to play', 'paused');
+            updatePlayControls();
+        };
+        startPlayback();
         loadSubtitleTracks(seekOffset).catch((error) => {
             console.error('Subtitle load failed:', error);
         });