How To Fix – iPhone Videos Not Playing On Windows Systems?

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Have you encountered a scenario in which you’ve moved your iPhone videos to a Windows computer, only to find that they cannot be accessed on Windows devices?

By default, Windows Media Player is employed for loading and playing video files on Windows-based systems. A substantial number of users utilize this no-cost tool for viewing movies and enjoying video and music content. The differences in functionality between the Windows and Apple platforms create challenges when attempting to play iPhone videos on a Windows system. Furthermore, Windows Media Player exhibits certain limitations and susceptibility to errors and corruption problems. In this discussion, we will address one of the frequently reported issues and provide solutions for resolving the problem of iPhone videos not playing on Windows systems.

iPhone Videos Not Playing On Windows Systems

Imagine a scenario in which a user has recently moved videos from their iPhone, be it a smartphone or tablet, to their Windows computer. Regrettably, these videos become inaccessible, prompting error messages when attempting to play them through Windows Media Player. This situation can be distressing for users, especially if the files haven’t been backed up and face potential permanent deletion from their original source.

There could be many reasons for the default media player to flash error messages while playing videos, for instance, compatibility issues, corrupt or damaged video files, irrelevant sources, improper download or file transfer, etc. Whatever be the reason for Windows Media Player not playing the iPhone video files, the main concern is how you will fix the issue and make the videos playable again.

Numerous factors may lead to error messages flashing on the default media player during video playback. These factors include compatibility issues, video file corruption or damage, irrelevant sources, improper downloads or file transfers, and more. Regardless of the cause behind Windows Media Player’s inability to play iPhone video files, the primary focus is on resolving the issue and restoring video playback functionality.

Reasons for inaccessibility of iPhone videos in Windows environment

• Compatibility issues.
• Your Windows machine is missing supporting video codecs for iPhone devices.
• Inappropriate file transfer.
• Video files have gone corrupt as soon as they were transferred from iPhone to PC.
• Your Windows machine is infected with viruses and malware.

There are several ways to address the problem of iPhone videos not playing on Windows PCs. You can opt for manual solutions to resolve the issue or utilize a dependable third-party software tool to accomplish the task.

Initially, we will explore manual approaches for addressing the problem, followed by an introduction to a proficient tool for accomplishing the task. The subsequent section enumerates several prevalent manual techniques for resolving the issue:

1. Re-transfer the files, in case they are not transferred properly in the first attempt.
   Sometimes, there can be interruptions while transferring the files like an abrupt shutdown, loss of connectivity between the devices, and various other issues that can interrupt the transfer.

   Consider transferring the files again if you still got the data on your iPhone. In case you have deleted the original files or have used cut-paste, then look for other methods of recovery.

2. Use another Media Player

If you find yourself dependent on the default Windows media player for video playback and encounter difficulties when attempting to load and play videos transferred from your iPhone, it is advisable to explore alternative, dependable media player options. Occasionally, the root problem may not solely lie in the inability to play iPhone videos on Windows PCs; rather, it could be attributed to the default media player’s lack of support for certain file formats. For example, MP4 files are ideally suited for playback on VLC media player, especially if you happen to have corrupted MP4 files in your system. In case, you have corrupt MP4 files on your system. VLC also offers functionalities to repair MP4 files.

Some of the popular alternatives for Windows Media Player are VLC media player, RealPlayer, KMPlayer, etc.

Try playing the video via other media player supported by Windows OS. If VLC and other media players are unable to play the videos transferred from iPhones, try the solutions listed below.

3. Convert the file to some other format supported by Windows OS.
   Try using a reliable Video Converter tool to convert the file format of video files transferred from iPhone devices. There are different free tools available online to convert video file format to another format supporting the same OS version. You can also use the Kernel Video Converter software for a secure conversion. Sometimes, Windows machines lack the supporting codes for a specific file format. In such scenarios, converting the file format may help you resolve the issue.
4. Update the existing version of Windows Media Player.
   Possibly resolving the “iPhone videos not playing on Windows system” issue could involve upgrading the current iteration of Windows Media Player. Occasionally, the default media player may lack the capability to handle video files linked to certain formats.

   You might want to contemplate upgrading your media player to the latest edition. “Windows Media Player 12,” the most recent release, is compatible with Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 operating systems.

5. Download and install the supporting codecs for your Windows machine.
   Windows Media player requires codecs to play videos. Codecs are configured to compress and decompress the video files.

   You have the option to either obtain and install the video codec pack from the internet or set up your Windows Media Player to automatically perform updates at designated intervals. This will effectively address the problem of iPhone videos not being able to play on Windows systems.

Some of the most common video codecs available for Window OS are listed below:

• Media Player Video Codec Packs
• K-Lite Codec Pack
• Shark007X
• X Codec Pack

Launch Windows Media Player and follow these simple steps to enable the Automatic Update feature.

1. Click the Organize button located at the top left corner of the interface.
2. Under Organize, select Options.
3. Under the Player tab, set a periodic update under the Check for Updates section.

If you are still unable to play the iPhone videos on your Windows PC, try using a reliable video repair tool to repair the files.

Kernel Video Repair stands out as a highly recommended solution for rectifying issues with your impaired or compromised video files. It boasts an extensive array of repair capabilities designed to cater to various video file formats compatible with the Windows operating system. Examples of formats that can be effectively repaired using this tool include MP4, MOV, MPEG, MJPEG, MTS, M4V, MKV, AVI, and numerous others.

Also, you can download the trial version free and later upgrade the tool by purchasing the licensed version. Here is how the tool works.

1. Launch Kernel Video Repair on your Windows machine.
2. Either click on the ‘+’ sign to locate the folder containing the video files or just drag and drop the file.
3. Select the required files and click on the Open button.
4. If the interface asks you to add a reference file, add a healthy video file of the same file format as the reference. Otherwise, just click the Repair Files button.
5. Provide a destination path to save the repaired files and click on the OK button.
6. Wait until the repair process gets completed.
7. The repaired video files get saved to the specified location.
8. You can also save the data report in CSV format by clicking Save report to CSV. This is how the data looks in CSV file format.

Wrapping Up

The process of transferring files between different platforms has become increasingly prevalent in modern times, though it can often be a complex endeavor. If errors arise during the file transfer, they may render the files inaccessible. Should you encounter a situation where you cannot play your iPhone videos on a Windows system, there are both manual and automated approaches available to address the issue. However, it’s important to note that manual methods are unable to restore broken or corrupted files. To effectively repair and restore your corrupt or damaged videos, the optimal solution is to utilize a third-party tool such as the Kernel video repair tool.