Effective Method to Fix a Computer Wont Play Videos Issue
Having trouble with your computer not playing videos? This can be frustrating when your computer wont play videos, especially when you need to watch something important. Whether you're trying to stream online videos or play a saved file, seeing a blank screen or an error message can be confusing. This issue can happen on any device, no matter how new or powerful it is. Sometimes, the video stutters, lags, or does not load at all. Other times, you may hear sound but see no picture. This problem can occur in web browsers, media players, or even on video editing software. Fortunately, there are different solutions you can try to resolve this problem and get your computer or device to play videos again. This guide will investigate the common reasons for this issue and provide effective steps to troubleshoot and fix a computer that won't play videos.
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Errors You Can Encounter
There are several common errors and problems that can prevent your computer from playing videos. These issues may appear as error messages, lagging playback, or a complete failure to load videos. Here are some common ones you might face:
- Black Screen with Audio: You can hear the sound, but the video doesn't appear. This could mean that the media player or browser is having trouble rendering your downloaded videos or YouTube videos you are streaming.
- Video Not Loading: The video keeps buffering or doesn't start at all. This error is a connectivity problem, often caused by internet speed issues or concerns with video codecs.
- Unsupported File Format: The media player or browser shows an error saying the file type is not supported. This happens when trying to play uncommon or proprietary formats without the necessary codecs. Some file formats, like MKV or HEVC, require specific media players to work properly.
- Codec Missing or Unavailable: A message appears stating that the required codec is missing. This error happens when the media player can't access the proper video codec library to decode the video file.
- Choppy or Lagging Playback: The video stutters, freezes or plays with delays. This issue is usually caused by a weak processor, insufficient RAM, or an overloaded system running too many applications simultaneously.
Common Causes Why Computer Will Not Play Videos Files
There are a few potential causes behind computer not loading videos. These issues can be related to software, hardware, or internet connectivity. Below are some of the reasons why your computer is not loading videos:
- Outdated or Corrupt Graphics Drivers: If video files are not playing properly on your computer, it could be due to an issue with your graphics driver. Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent the proper rendering of video and cause playback issues.
- Missing Codec: Certain video file formats require specific video codecs to be installed on your computer in order to play. If your system lacks the correct codec for a particular video format, the media player can show an error or fail to play the file.
- Slow Internet Speed: Streaming videos require a stable internet connection. If your connection is lagging or unstable, videos can buffer continuously or fail to load at all.
- Insufficient System Resources: Older or less powerful computers may not have enough processing power, RAM, or graphics capabilities to smoothly play high-quality videos, leading to stuttering or freezing.
- Corrupted Videos: Video files that are damaged or corrupted in some way can cause playback issues, as the media player is unable to read or properly decode the data.
"Insufficient System Resources lack system resources."
The performance of your computer is a memory-related issue pushed by an insufficient memory pool.
How to Fix Videos Not Playing on Computer
1. Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers can constantly be the root reason for video playback issues. Graphic drivers are software components that allow your computer’s graphics processing unit to communicate with the operating system. If the drivers are outdated, it can prevent your computer from being able to decode and display video content properly. Besides, outdated drivers can also cause other applications to malfunction, like Windows Media Player no sound or Microsoft PowerPoint not playing videos. In that line, updating the graphics driver to the latest version is one of the first things you should try. Moreover, graphics driver updates often come with improvements and bug fixes to enhance video playback performance. To update drivers, you can observe the following steps:
- To start the updating process on Windows, you can use the built-in Device Manager tool. Open the Windows "Start" menu and explore for "Device Manager," then open it.
- Next, in the "Device Manager," expand the "Display adapters" section, right-click on your graphics driver, and select "Update driver." Then, choose "Search automatically for drivers" to let Windows find and install the latest version.
- Once the update is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes. This will ensure the new drivers take effect and resolve the issue of PC wont play videos.
2. Ensure Steady Internet Connection
If your videos don't play on a web browser like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, the problem can be related to your internet connection. For instance, your YouTube videos load but pause frequently or don't play at all; a slow or unstable internet speed most likely causes this issue. You'll want to have a steady, high-speed internet connection to ensure your computer can play videos reliably. To restore a strong network signal, try restarting your router, modem, or internet service. Then, you can test your internet speed using a tool like Speedtest.net. Suppose your download speeds are lower than the recommended minimums for video playback. In that case, you may need to upgrade your internet plan or contact your ISP for a faster, more reliable connection.
3. Convert Video File Format
If you're trying to play a specific downloaded video file and it won't work, the issue can be due to an unsupported video codec or file format. That said, you can convert the video file into a more common format, such as MP4. One of the best video files converters you can utilize is VidElement. It supports various video formats, including AVI, MKV, FLV, MP4, and more. This ensures your chosen media player can smoothly play the converted video without any errors. Furthermore, this video converter supports hardware acceleration, which means it can convert videos fast with minimal quality loss. Besides, it supports converting high-quality videos up to 4K resolutions. This ensures a great viewing experience while playing video files without blurry videos. To convert a videos using VidElement, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Download and Install VidElement
The first step you have to take is to acquire the file installer for the VidElement video converter. Once the download is complete, run the setup wizard and install the video converter on your computer. Then, the tool will launch automatically.
Step 2: Import Video
In the VidElement interface, hit the "Add Files" button to browse your computer's files and pick the video you wish to convert. When you have chosen the video you want to transform, click the "Open" button to upload the file. Alternatively, you can simply drag and drop the file onto the tool's interface.
Step 3: Select Output Format
After uploading the video, select the preferred output format by clicking the format drop down menu on the right side of the video tile. The available output formats include MP4, AVI, MKV, FLV, and others. Once you have selected the output format you want, hit the "Convert All" button at the right-bottom part of the interface.
Step 4: Preview the Video Files
When the conversion process is done, the output folder containing the converted video file will automatically pop up. Double-clicking the converted video will enable you to play it on your default media player.
4. Look for All Available Updates
Besides updating your graphics driver, checking for any available updates to your operating system is crucial. An outdated system can sometimes cause playback issues, leading to errors like "Why wont videos play on my computer?" Ensuring that your computer is fully updated can help repair videos that fail to play correctly and prevent the same issue from happening again. Here are the steps to update your Windows system:
- To update your Windows 10/11 laptop, start by opening the Control Panel or navigating to Windows Update through "Settings." Once you access the Windows Settings, click the "Update & Security" option.
- After that, the "Windows Update" screen will appear, where you can hit the "Check for updates" button to see if any new system updates are available for download and installation.
- During the update process, your computer may restart automatically to apply the changes fully. After the restart, your computer's operating system should be updated with the latest patches and improvements. Lastly, try to open the unplayable videos again to see if they are playing correctly now.
5. Alter Power Options
If your video playback issue "computer wont play video" is still not resolved after trying the steps above, you can try adjusting your computer's power options as a final troubleshooting step. While it may seem unrelated, many users have successfully fixed issues with video playback on Windows 10/11 by simply modifying their power settings. Sometimes, hardware failure or compatibility issues can arise due to improper power allocation, which affects how your system handles video processing. To resolve such problems, open the Control Panel and go to "Power Options." If your power plan is set to "High Performance," switch it to "Balanced" to ensure better energy distribution and system stability. After making this change, restart your computer and check if your videos now play correctly without interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
This could be due to missing codecs, file corruption or an incompatible media player. First, try updating your media player or installing the necessary codec pack to ensure proper playback. If the issue persists, use a video repair tool to fix any potential corruption and restore the repaired video for smooth playback.
If online videos are not playing, your browser's cache can be full or corrupted. Try clearing the cache and cookies, updating your browser, and enabling JavaScript or Flash Player if needed to fix issues with video playback.
Yes, if your hard drive is nearly full or has bad sectors, your computer won't play videos properly. Free up storage space, run a disk check for errors, and consider moving your videos to a different drive to see if that helps.
Conclusion
If your computer wont play videos, there are several potential causes, including outdated graphics drivers, missing codecs, internet issues, or even a faulty hard drive. Fortunately, following the troubleshooting steps in this guide, you can fix problems and restore smooth video playback. Updating your drivers, ensuring a stable internet connection, converting video formats, and adjusting power settings are all effective methods. If your video files are damaged, consider a quick repair tool to restore them. Try these solutions and enjoy uninterrupted video viewing!