Hi retireD62,
welcome to this community discussion thread.
Re: Can’t play videos on ipad
Thank you for letting us know. We'd like to help, yet don't have much info from you.
You may want to first try restarting your iPad (deletes temporary files, re-establishes connections, may update recent setting changes, & often restores order if something is not working as expected) Restart your iPad - Apple Support
Else:
Wondering whether the video files are in .HEVC, .MP4, .MOV or another video format, also if error messages appear when you try to open the files in Photos app.
You may find a solution in the suggestions given earlier in this discussion.
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If you would like more help: please let us also know which iPad version you use,
Eg: How to: Identify your iPad model - Apple Support
and
which iPadOS version is installed on the iPad. (Eg: You may want to check for updates to the newest compatible one in Settings > General > Software update)
(NB: It is a good idea to back up your data first, if you try updating to see if it helps)
All the best :-)