Read time 10 minutes
As we enjoy our beloved movies or web series on our Windows system, the sudden appearance of an error or issue on the screen can be quite disheartening, abruptly halting our entertainment.
You might attempt to close the video window and restart it from the point where it paused. While this approach may succeed in certain situations, it is unlikely to resolve most other video-related problems.
Commonly, video and playback problems can be attributed to either the software you’re utilizing or the audio-video settings you’ve configured. When encountering a particular error, it’s essential to identify an appropriate solution without further complicating the issue.
Users do not universally experience identical video and playback issues. Nevertheless, certain errors persist due to the Windows ecosystem. Hence, we have assembled a list of the top five prevalent video and playback errors.
1. Cannot Play the File
When attempting to play an unsupported video file using Windows Media Player, you’ll encounter an error message that reads: “Windows Media Player is unable to play the file. It is possible that the Player does not support the file format or the codec used to compress it.” This message will appear on your screen.
Download an automated tool Kernel Video Repair to fix common video errors and corruption issues. With the trial version , you can save a repaired video for up to 30 seconds.
The Windows Media application lacks the flexibility found in other paid and open-source multimedia programs. Windows Media Player, in particular, exhibits limited compatibility with various video formats. Consequently, attempting to open a file outside of its supported range will result in the same error message mentioned earlier.
To eliminate this bothersome error message, you have two options to consider. First, you can convert the video file format from MKV to WMV, a format supported by Windows Media Player.
Alternatively, you can opt for a more robust media player like VLC media player, which offers greater versatility. VLC surpasses Windows Media Player in terms of its support for various video file formats and its availability as a free software solution.
2. Frozen Frame
One of the most prevalent issues encountered by users during video playback is known as Frozen Frame or Frame Freeze. This problem typically arises from interruptions in video file downloads caused by an unstable Internet connection or simultaneous downloading of multiple files. When this occurs, the video playback is disrupted, and the program cannot seamlessly proceed, resulting in missing segments or incomplete portions of the file.
The occurrence of the error is not solely attributed to interrupted video file downloads; it can also stem from issues related to display and graphics drivers.
Display and graphics drivers instruct the hardware on how to operate and determine the level of performance to achieve. Problems stemming from display and graphics drivers can be severe and have a detrimental impact on both your system and its overall performance.
To resolve display and graphics driver problems, you have two options: either uninstall the existing driver and reinstall it or update the preinstalled driver. Here’s how to access the Device Manager:
- Right-click on the Start button.
- Choose “Device Manager” from the context menu.
- In the Device Manager, locate and click on the Display Adapters section to reveal its contents.
Next, right-click on Intel(R) HD Graphics and choose the option to Update Driver Software.
- If you’ve already downloaded the latest driver, please opt for that option. Otherwise, select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” choice.
3. Codec Issue
You might come across the familiar “Windows Media Player cannot play the file” error message once more. This error typically arises when the player encounters an unsupported file format or an incompatible codec used to compress the file. If simply converting the video file format doesn’t resolve the issue, it could indicate a problem with the video codecs installed on your system.
In the past, individuals often resorted to installing codec package installers like K-Lite, Shark007, or CCCP as a workaround for codec-related problems. However, this approach can introduce conflicts within the system, leading to further issues where the player fails to playback the video file.
To resolve this issue, first, uninstall all installed Codec packages, then restart your system. Afterward, attempt to play the video file once more using the default video player application.
If the problem continues to persist, we recommend installing the VLC media player. VLC is an open-source media player supported by top-tier developers in the industry. It boasts extensive compatibility with a wide array of video and audio file formats and offers a plethora of advanced features.
4. Crackled & Distorted Sound
When viewing video content, problems may not only pertain to video and playback errors but also extend to sound-related issues.
Crackling and distortion in the audio can disrupt your entertainment experience, causing more than just irritation. You’ll find yourself eager to resolve this issue and restore the seamless flow of sound.
To begin, confirm that all wires are securely connected to either the speakers or headphones. If you are using headphones and are still experiencing issues, consider adjusting or disabling any audio enhancements within the settings.
- Right-click the Sound icon in the system tray, and then select “Playback devices” from the context menu.
- The sound dialog box will appear, and you should choose “Speakers.” Next, click the “Properties” button.
- Navigate to the Enhancements tab, then mark the “Disable all enhancements” option and proceed by clicking the “Ok” button.
- Click Apply; click Ok.
5. Video Crash & Black Screen
If Windows Media Player consistently crashes when attempting to play a video file, it could indicate file corruption. In such cases, you may need to re-download the video file.
Black Screen issues can arise due to compression problems, read/write errors, or virus attacks. If the format of a video file has been altered, it may also lead to this problem. While addressing this issue may not have a straightforward solution, as it can result from various factors, you can experiment with the following potential solutions:
- Reduce Graphics Hardware Acceleration.
- Uninstall & Install the device drivers again.
- Try a different media player application, and again we’d suggest using VLC.
In the preceding section, we have outlined the prevalent video errors that users may come across while using their systems. While some of these issues can be resolved through minor adjustments to audio and video settings or by reverting to the default settings, there are still numerous video playback errors that demand a more sophisticated troubleshooting approach.
Therefore, if you encounter corrupted or damaged video file errors, as well as other issues that cannot be resolved through conventional means, we highly recommend utilizing a specialized professional tool within the same category.
Automated Tool to Repair & Recover
Kernel Video Repair is an advanced tool which allows you to get rid of all video file errors with no extra efforts. This versatile tool boasts broad compatibility with various video file formats, including MP4, WMV, AVI, MKV, 3GP, MPEG, WebM, and more.
Repairing a video file is a seamless endeavor, akin to a hot knife effortlessly slicing through butter. Below, you will find a comprehensive set of steps to provide you with clear guidance:
- Launch the Video Repair tool.
- To include corrupted videos, simply click the ‘+’ icon, or alternatively, drag and drop the files from your system into this area.
- Choose the corrupted video files within the Open window, then click the “Open” button.
- The files will be included. Next, select the “Repair Files” button and commence the process.
- Finally, browse for a location to save the repaired file.
- The file will start repairing. View the live progress.
- File saved successfully.
Conclusion
It’s advisable to refrain from altering video and audio settings unless you have a good understanding of the potential impact. If you happen to make unintended adjustments, we recommend promptly resolving the issue by utilizing the Kernel Video Repair tool.
