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Instant fixes to resolve the MKV file not playing in VLC issue:
- Try playing MKV file in another media player.
- Update VLC to the latest version.
- Disable hardware acceleration in VLC.
- Check VLC’s video/audio output settings.
When users have trouble playing MKV files in VLC, this common question comes up in their mind: “Can VLC play MKV file or not?” Do you have the same question? If you are struggling with this too, we have got some solutions for you. Many users get similar problems now and then when they try to play videos in the VLC Media Player. Some issues are related to the player itself, while some are due to corruption in the video file. We have listed a set of solutions based on the type of issues users experience while running their MKV videos in the VLC Media Player.
Issues faced when VLC is unable to play MKV file
Users might see these signs when VLC is unable to play MKV files:
- Black screen error
- No sound in the VLC player or audio-video sync issues in MKV files
- Choppiness in video
- Skipping of MKV files
- “Unidentified codec: VLC could not identify the audio or video codec.” Error
Why is VLC not playing MKV files?
There are a few common reasons why an MKV file is not playing in VLC media player:
- Unsupported codecs: MKV file is essentially a video container with different codecs for audio and video streams. If the file has a codec that isn’t supported by VLC, then it’ll have playback issues.
- Outdated graphics driver: VLC uses the system’s graphics drivers to decode high-resolution videos for playback, and if it’s not equipped for that, then it’ll have problems during playback of high resolution MKV files (1080p or 4K).
- VLC Media Player is outdated: An older version of VLC Media Player won’t be able to support the MKV container structures. Since many MKV files contain newer codecs like AV1 and HEVC, older VLC versions may lack the codec libraries to support it.
- Conflicting Hardware acceleration settings: VLC uses GPU’s hardware acceleration settings to decode video files for a smooth playback. If the hardware acceleration settings conflict with MKV’s codecs, then it can result in a stuttering or lagging video.
- MKV file is corrupted: Incomplete video data due to interrupted transfer can damage the video/audio stream of the MKV file and lead to corruption. Video might play in slow motion, freeze, lag, or display visual artifacts during playback.
How to check if it’s a VLC problem or an MKV problem?
| Criteria | What the result means |
|---|---|
| Play MKV in another player | If it plays: Issue with VLC’s output settings or unsupported codecs. If it doesn’t: MKV file may be incomplete. |
| Play other MKV files in VLC | If they play: Issue is with one specific MKV file. If they don’t: Issue is with the VLC Media Player. |
| Try playing another copy of MKV file | If it plays: The original copy is damaged or incomplete. If it doesn’t: Check if VLC is running an outdated version. |
| Look for appropriate codecs | Check what codecs does your MKV file uses and whether they’re supported by VLC or not. |
| Check for corruption in MKV file | Check if your MKV file is incomplete or missing any frames or not. Also look for any visual distortion or audio/video sync error during playback. |
Fixes for “VLC not playing MKV file” issue
Here, you can try to fix the issue using the VLC Media Player settings and features.
Method 1. Play it using another media player
You can try this as sometimes playing videos on another media player can help. If VLC lacks the required codecs to play your MKV files, you can try using different media players like PotPlayer and Kodi. Follow these simple steps to do this:
- Right-click on your MKV video file and click on the Open with option.
- Then choose any media player on your system to check if it plays the MKV files.
If MKV plays without an issue, then it can be a problem related to media player settings. If the video still doesn’t play, try on the other methods.
Method 2. Disable the hardware decoding feature
Sometimes, the hardware decoding feature in the VLC Media Player can conflict with the system drivers and result in choppy or distorted videos. The solution is to temporarily disable this feature from the VLC settings.
- Open the VLC Preferences page.
- Move to the Input/Codecs tab.
- Under the Codecs section, select the Disable option from the drop-down list against the Hardware-accelerated decoding section, and then click on Save to save this setting.
Method 3. Update VLC player
Using an older version of VLC can also be the reason why your MKV file is not playing in VLC player. Update it to the latest version so that it can support the newer codecs. Here are the steps to do so:
- Open VLC Media Player and click on Help > Check for Updates.
- If there’s a new version available, you’ll be prompted to download it.
- Click Yes to download it and wait for the download to finish.
- Once the download finishes, click on the Install option and allow the app to make necessary changes.
- Follow the instructions given on your screen (keep your previous settings as it is) and click on Finish to conclude the process.
- Re-launch VLC to see if you can play MKV files or not.
Method 4. Enable audio & video output settings
If you face an audio issue or video not displayed issue while playing your MKV files in VLC Media Player, check the VLC Media Player settings for the same.
- To enable Audio Settings: Go to Tools > Preferences in VLC Media Player, switch to the Audio tab, and then check if the Enable audio option is selected or not. If not, select it and click Save.
- To enable the Video Settings: Switch to the Video tab on the Simple Preferences page and then check for the Enable video option. You can also modify the Video Output mode to a suitable one (here, OpenGL video output) and check if it helps. Click Save to save the settings.
Method 5. Uninstall and reinstall VLC media player
Experiencing trouble while trying to play MKV files on VLC media player? It could be an issue with the player. Uninstalling and reinstalling VLC on your device can often fix the problem. This process ensures that any corrupted or missing files are replaced, allowing for a fresh start for the media player. After completing the reinstallation, check if your VLC player is now able to play MKV files. This simple fix can save you from the time and effort required to find and install an alternative media player.
Method 6. Check for corruption in MKV files
Try playing your MKV file and a few other MKV files in different media players like PotPlayer and Windows Media Player to see if this is a common problem or limited to one single file. If the other files are playing properly and but only a specific MKV file is having playback issues, then there’s a chance that your MKV file is corrupt.
If you do find that your MKV file is incomplete or corrupt, then you should repair it with the help of a video repair software. It can easily restore your video file to its original quality. Kernel Video Repair can be your go-to option to fix corrupt video files. Take the free trial of the software to test the functionalities now.
Ending note
The issue of MKV video not playing can be easily resolved with some simple solutions. Users can try updating VLC, converting the file format, or reinstalling the software. You just need to determine whether this issue is related to VLC or the MKV file itself. This will help you identify if the video file itself is corrupt or not and then apply the appropriate method to fix the VLC not playing MKV file error.
Frequently asked questions
A. You can either set VLC as the default media player for MKV files or open them directly in the VLC Media Player.
A. There are multiple reasons why MKV files do not play in VLC Media Player. They include conflict due to hardware decoding, missing codecs, missing components, incorrect audio/video codec settings in VLC, corruption in MKV file, etc.
A. In the VLC Media Player Simple Preferences page, unselect the Pre-load MKV files in the same directory option (you can see the screenshots below). Then try playing the MKV video again.
