VLC Media Player is a popular and versatile multimedia player that supports a wide range of audio and video file formats. However, there may be instances where VLC cannot play MP4 videos, which can be frustrating for users who rely on VLC for their media playback needs.
When VLC encounters difficulties playing MP4 videos, it can be attributed to various factors. Some common reasons include corrupted or damaged MP4 files, missing or incompatible codecs, DRM-protected content, or incomplete downloads. These issues can prevent VLC from properly decoding and playing MP4 videos.
To address this problem, it is important to troubleshoot and identify the specific cause. This often involves updating VLC to the latest version, installing necessary codecs, repairing or converting the MP4 files, or trying alternative media players that may handle the videos more effectively.
Reasons Why MP4 Video is Not Playing in Vlc?
There are several reasons why mp4 video is not playing in vlc Media Player. Some common reasons include:
- Corrupted or Damaged File: The MP4 video file may be corrupted or damaged, which can occur during the file download, transfer, or encoding process. Corruption or damage can prevent VLC from properly decoding and playing the video.
- Incomplete Download: If the MP4 video file is not fully downloaded or is incomplete, VLC may struggle to play it. In such cases, the video file needs to be downloaded again or obtained in its complete form.
- Codec Issues: VLC relies on codecs to decode and play different video formats. If the required codec to play the MP4 video is missing, outdated, or incompatible, VLC may encounter difficulties in playing the video. This can be resolved by installing the necessary codecs or codec packs.
- DRM Protection: MP4 videos with Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection may not be playable in VLC. DRM restricts the usage of copyrighted content and can prevent playback on unauthorized devices or software.
- Outdated VLC Version: An outdated version of VLC may lack support for certain codecs or have bugs that affect the playback of MP4 videos. Updating VLC to the latest version can help resolve compatibility issues.
- Operating System Compatibility: In some cases, the operating system on which VLC is running may not be compatible with certain MP4 video files. This can occur if the video is encoded using a newer codec or technology that is not supported by the operating system.
- Hardware Acceleration Issues: VLC uses hardware acceleration to enhance video playback performance. However, hardware acceleration can sometimes cause conflicts or compatibility issues with certain MP4 videos, leading to playback problems.
How do I fix MP4 with VLC?
Method 1: Upgrade VLC to the Latest Version to Fix the MP4 File Won’t Play
If you are experiencing issues with playing MP4 files in VLC and the current version you have installed is outdated, upgrading VLC to the latest version can often help resolve the problem. Here’s how you can upgrade VLC:
Step 1: Open VLC Media Player on your computer.
Step 2: Click on the “Help” option in the menu bar at the top of the VLC window.
Step 3: From the drop-down menu, select “Check for Updates.”
Step 4: VLC will then check for available updates. If an update is found, it will prompt you to download and install the latest version.
Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the updated version of VLC.
Step 6: Once the installation is complete, restart VLC and try playing your MP4 file again.
Method 2: Disable hardware video decoding in VLC
If you’re experiencing issues with video playback in VLC Media Player and suspect that hardware video decoding might be the cause, you can try disabling it. Here’s how to disable hardware video decoding in VLC:
Step 1: Open VLC Media Player on your computer.
Step 2: Click on the “Tools” option in the menu bar at the top of the VLC window.
Step 3: From the drop-down menu, select “Preferences” (or “Advanced Preferences” in some versions).
Step 4: In the Preferences window, make sure the “Simple” or “All” radio button is selected at the bottom left corner to display all settings.
Step 5: Navigate to the “Input/Codecs” tab.
Step 6: Under the “Codecs” section, look for the “Hardware-accelerated decoding” option.
Step 7: By default, this option is set to “Automatic.” Change it to “Disable” or “Software decoding” to turn off hardware acceleration.
Step 8: Click on the “Save” button at the bottom right corner to apply the changes.
Step 9: Restart VLC Media Player for the changes to take effect.
Method 3: Fix MP4 Video Not Playing in Vlc Using Hi5 MOV File Repair Tool.
Hi5 MOV File Repair is an award-winning tool loved by millions of users across the globe, the tool is user-friendly to make VLC cant play mp4 easy. You can repair easily your files without any modification. The tool is built with powerful algorithms that dive deeper into the petition to repair more than 500 types of files lost due to any reason. It supports all kinds of brands of MOV files that repair. The tool is compatible with all versions of Windows and Mac.
Download NowSteps To Fix Vlc cant play mp4
Step 1: Download Hi5 MOV File Repair Software on your computer
Step 2: Complete the installation procedure and launch the tool
Step 3: Provide a healthy (working) MOV file using the Healthy File option
Step 4: Now choose your corrupted or unplayable MOV/MP4 file via Corrupted File key
Step 5: Start the repair course by clicking on the Repair button
Step 6: The software starts the scanning and repairing process
Step 7: Once the fix action gets completed you can view the fixed MOV/MP4 video using the Preview option
Step 8: Save the repaired video file in any desired place (except the source location) on your system by clicking on the Save button
Tips To Play MP4 Videos In vlc
- Update VLC
- Install Codecs
- Check File Integrity
- Restart VLC
- Adjust Video Output Settings
- Clear VLC Cache
Conclusion:
Here we end our discussion on vlc can t play mp4. Where we have explained 7 ways to help you get back mp4 video not playing in vlc. However, if you are looking for an easy yet quick way to fix can t play mp4 video. We suggest you make use of the Hi5 MOV File Repair Tool. If you have any additional questions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.
