Reliable Solutions on How to Fix VLC Not Playing MKV Files
VLC Media Player is an open-source and one of the most prevalent media players. It's known for supporting diverse audio and video formats without requiring extra codecs. Among the many formats VLC can play is MKV (Matroska Video). It is a format known for maintaining high-quality video, audio, and subtitles in one file. Nevertheless, some users encounter some issues when playing MKV files on VLC. This problem is frustrating as it can hinder the experience of watching movies or videos. In that line, understanding why this problem occurs and how to resolve it is crucial. Fortunately, this guide will explore simple solutions to resolve the issue of VLC not playing MKV. Read on and get your MKV files playing smoothly on VLC.
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Why MKV Doesn't Play on VLC?
VLC cannot be able to play MKV files on your device for the following frequent reasons:
- Outdated VLC Version: Older VLC versions are unable to fully support the newest codecs or certain MKV files.
- Damaged or corrupted MKV File: VLC may have trouble opening or playing an MKV file due to corrupted or damaged MKV files.
- Problems with Codec Compatibility: MKV files employ separate codecs for video and audio. VLC might be unable to correctly decode the file if it is not equipped with the appropriate codecs.
- Issues with Hardware Acceleration: Using hardware acceleration may occasionally result in problems playing MKV files on older computers.
- Conflicts in Settings: Misconfigured VLC settings, including output modules or preferences, may have an impact on how MKV files are processed.
Troubleshooting Solutions to Fix MKV VLC Problem
1. Restart VLC Media Player
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Time Required | 1-2 minutes |
| Effectiveness | 3/5 |
One of the most basic solutions to solve the MKV file is not playing in VLC is simply restarting the application. This will allow the VLC media player to refresh its internal processes so you can play the MKV file. In addition, restarting VLC can potentially clear any temporary glitches or conflicts that prevent the MKV file from playing. With this method, you can also clear some minor issues like VLC not playing YouTube videos or VLC not detecting USB drives. To restart your VLC player, you can close the application and open it again.
2. Modify Input/Codec Settings
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Time Required | 3-5 minutes |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
As mentioned in the reasons why MKV file does not play on VLC, codec compatibility issues can be a common factor. To solve this, you can try altering the codec settings of the VLC media player. VLC contains different input and codec settings that you can adjust. By adjusting this, you can potentially fix the issue of MKV files not playing properly. Besides, altering the input settings can help VLC recognize and handle the MKV file better. Here's how you can do it:
- Access the VLC media player on your device. Then, on the menu bar, hit "Tools" to see the available options. After that, click "Preferences," and a new menu window will appear on your screen.
- Scroll down to the "Input/Codecs" section on the Preferences window. Then, at the bottom of the menu, click the "All" option to display all available settings. When the expanded view appears, you can set the "File Caching" values.
- Set the "File Caching" to 1000 ms to help the VLC media player have enough time to load and buffer the MKV file. Lastly, smash the "Save" button at the bottom right of the window to apply the changes. Afterwards, try playing your MKV file and see if the problem is resolved.
3. Disable Hardware Acceleration
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Time Required | 3-4 minutes |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
Enabling hardware acceleration in VLC can sometimes cause issues when playing certain files, including MKV. This feature offloads video decoding from the CPU to the computer's graphics card, which can sometimes lead to compatibility issues. Nonetheless, if your graphics cards do not support the hardware acceleration for MKV files, it can cause VLC to have trouble playing the file. In that line, disabling hardware acceleration can help you fix the issue of being unable to play MKV file in VLC. Furthermore, this troubleshooting solution can also help with other video playback problems in VLC, such as video freezing and screen flickering. Beneath is a simple guide to turning off the hardware acceleration on VLC:
- The initial guide is to make sure the VLC media player is open on your device. Then, on the VLC interface, click on "Tools." On the menu option, choose "Preferences."
- On the preferences menu, click the "Input/Codecs" option on the left panel. Next, locate the "Hardware-accelerated decoding" setting down the right side panel. From here, click on the drop-down menu and pick the "Disable" option.
- Finally, click the "Save" option at the lower right of the menu window. This will disable VLC's hardware acceleration feature. Try playing the MKV file again and see if the issue of the MKV file won't play on VLC is resolved.
4. Update VLC to the Latest Version
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Time Required | 3-5 minutes |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
Outdated versions of VLC often struggle to play the latest MKV files, resulting in the MKV file not playing in VLC. These files contain new audio and video codecs that can only be properly supported by the latest VLC versions. With this method, the media player can also fix VLC bugs and glitches that hinder your streaming experience. In addition, updating your VLC media player can help resolve compatibility issues with other video file formats like FLV, AVI, and more. To update your VLC media player, you can reinstall or update the software on your device. You can access the "Help" option and click on the "Check for Updates" feature, which will prompt you to available updates for VLC.
5. Convert MKV to Different File
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Time Required | 3-5 minutes |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
If you have tried all the above methods and you still encounter the issue of the MKV file not playing on VLC, then converting it will be the best solution. Rather than struggling with compatibility issues, you can convert the MKV file to a different video format like MP4. One of the best converters you can employ is AceThinker VidElement. It allows you to convert MKV to MOV or MP4, so you can easily play it on your VLC player. This converter also ensures that the converted video files retain high video and audio quality. Apart from that, you can pick the output quality up to 4K resolution. Besides, the conversion process is quick without complicated steps. Here are the instructions to convert MKV to MP4 using the VidElement:
Step 1: Acquire the Video Converter
To acquire the MKV video converter, click the compatible download button above for your OS. Once the file installer is downloaded, proceed to install the software. You can do this by clicking all the necessary prompts for the MKV video converter. The VidElement will launch after that.
Step 2: Upload the MKV File
On the tool's interface, hit the "Add File" option. Then, choose the MKV file you want to convert from your computer. You can also efficiently drag and drop the MKV file you need to convert.
Step 3: Convert the MKV File
When the MKV file is uploaded, it will appear on the tool's interface. Click on the "Format" option in the right corner of your file. Then, pick MP4 as the output format from the list of available formats. After that, hit "Convert All" to begin the conversion process.
Step 4. Play the Converted MKV File
Once the conversion is complete, you can locate the converted MP4 file on your computer. When you have located the file, open it with your VLC player. Now, you can enjoy streaming without any issues.
Bonus Tips: Preventive Measures in Playing MKV Using VLC
VLC is a free media player that can play various video formats, including MKV. However, it can sometimes encounter issues playing MKV files due to compatibility issues. Although the troubleshooting methods discussed above can help resolve the issue of VLC not playing MKV files, precautions still need to be taken. These include:
- Always download the latest version of VLC.
- Make sure you have installed the necessary codec packs.
- Have a secondary media player to play MKV files as a backup.
- Do not interrupt any driver installation on your graphics card.
- Check the video and audio codec information of the MKV file before attempting to play it.
VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player
and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make VLC your default media player for MKV files by accessing your Settings. Then, access your "Apps" and select the "Default Apps." Scroll down to find the Video Player, then choose VLC.
If your MKV video is playing choppy or buffering on VLC, it can be because your system does not have enough processing power to decode the video. This problem can also be caused by hardware acceleration or codec incompatibility.
MKV and MP4 are popular video container formats, but they differ. The MKV file format is more flexible and can contain multiple audio, video, and subtitle tracks. On the other hand, MP4 is a more widely supported format that is compatible with different devices and media players. So, the choice between MKV and MP4 depends on your specific needs and the devices you'll use to play the files.
Wrapping Up
In summary, VLC can struggle to play MKV files due to outdated software, missing codecs, or hardware settings. However, uncomplicated fixes like updating VLC or transforming the video file to another format can resolve these issues. By following the solutions outlined above, you can get MKV files playing smoothly again. Remember to troubleshoot patiently and try different options to find what works best for you. You must also keep your VLC media player updated to avoid future playback problems.
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