What is the most frequently used media player on your Windows? For most people, Windows Media Player will be the choice they will make. Absolutely, in the past years, due to the advanced audio and video processing technology, more and more media players have been introduced to our life. However, Windows Media Player has been in the dominant place among them. You can play all kinds of multimedia content on Windows Media Player with accuracy and convenience. However, Windows Media Player users are still puzzled by some unfriendly issues, for example, Windows Media Player cannot play video but plays only sound. This is quite embarrassing when you are trying to share some interesting movies or videos with others. Now, let’s go further in this article to figure out this issue together.

Part 1: Why Windows Media Player No Picture Just Sound

As a well-known player, WMP can basically meet all the needs of users. However, one frequently occurring problem is that when Windows Media Player plays various multimedia videos, such as AVI and MKV, only the sound is presented, but the picture is missed. Why Windows Media Player plays no picture just sound? What are the causes of this issue? Considering multiple situations, users can check the reasons and possibilities from the following aspects. Of course, the following reasons are only part of it and do not represent all possibilities.

1. Damaged video files

When Windows Media Player only has no image in the sound, you should first check if the video file is damaged or not. At the moment, the most effective detection method is to play other video files with Windows Media Player. If other video files can be played normally, it is very likely that the previous video files themselves are damaged. Therefore, you should check it out, during the download process, are there any damages applied to this downloaded video files? Or in other cases, was this video file corrupted due to the virus invasion? If the video file has not been downloaded completely, the Windows Media Player will be very likely to present sound only instead of video.

2. Graphics card damage

As one of the most basic components of a personal computer, the graphics card is to convert the display information required by the computer system to drive the display and provide progressive or interlaced scanning signals to the display. If the graphics card has been damaged or been updated recently, then it may result in the failure of presenting images on Windows Media Player.

3. Lack of proper video codec

A video decoder is a program (video player) or device that performs a decoding operation on an encoded digital video. For example, if the real encoder is installed on the system, it can convert other format files into RM or RMVB format. If the real decoder is installed, it can play RM or RMVB format files. If Windows Media Player doesn't contain the video codec for the video you are playing, then the picture will not be seen on the player.

Actually, the list for the only sound but no picture issue is to be continued. For example, the cause may also be falling to the Windows Media Player. If the Windows Media Player is not compatible with the digital video format you are playing, then you may fail to see the picture on Windows Media Player naturally.

Part 2: How to Solve Windows Media Player No Picture Just Sound Issue

Now it is time to figure out the best solutions for this issue. In order to solve the problem perfectly, you can take a try on the following solutions respectively. You had better try these methods one by one in the order.

Solution 1. Repair the video files

If your video files have been damaged, then what you need to do is to repair the video files so that they can be played correctly and properly on Windows Media Player. There are many video file repair software available at the moment, but you must choose the appropriate software based on the type of file you are trying to fix. For video files in RM, WMV, ASF, WMV, etc., you can choose to repair ASF-AVi-RM-WMV Repair which can repair multiple video files. You can also fix the RM file to the special repair tool RealMedia Analyzer. ASF, WMV files can also be repaired with the tool software AsfTools.

Solution 2. Check Graphic Card

It is recommended that you should check your graphics card driver and try to update your graphics card driver. If the graphic card and the driver have been updated recently, you had better update it manually so as to present the overall performance. First click on “Start” in the lower left corner of the computer and then find the computer on the right side of the pop-up panel. Right click on the “Computer” to locate the “Manage” option. Then find the “Device Manager” at the bottom of “Manage” panel where you can also find “Display Adapter”. Click on the triangle symbol on the left. The type of graphics card installed on your computer will appear below. Then right click and select “Update Driver Software”.

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Solution 3. Download Video Codec

If your Windows Media Player lacks the specific video codec for the video you are playing, then some playback errors will happen to a large extent. In order to solve the problem, you should download video codec for your media player. But the embarrassing thing is that not all the users know which video codec is missing for the audio and video on your computer. In such a case, here I will recommend you to download the codec pack for your computer. K-Lite Codec Pack and XPack can be your two options. The method to download and install the two codec packs is quite easy. First of all, go to the K-Lite Codec Pack or XPack homepage and download it to your computer. Then, unzip the WAR file and install it by following the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process. Last of all, restart your computer and Windows Media Player, try to load the video one more time to WMP, you can then watch the video perfectly.

Solution 4. Enable the "DirectDraw Acceleration"

DirectDraw is a part of the DirectX Software Development Kit (SDK) released by Microsoft. Because all graphics use it, it is the engine of 2D graphics, and 3D graphics are also inseparable from it. Some 2D/3D games as well as digital videos can only be played correctly only the DirectDraw Acceleration function has been enabled. Open “Start” > “Run”, type “dxdiag” and press Enter to open the "DirectX Tools" (DirectX Tools). On the “Display” page, click DirectDraw, Direct3Dand AGP Texture accelerates the three buttons to enable acceleration. Finally move the “Hardware Sound Acceleration Leve” scroll bar to “Full Acceleration” to enable the “DirectDraw Acceleration”.

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Part 3: Try Alternative Player with More Format Supports

issue may have been fixed perfectly. However, if you are a beginner user and all those solutions mentioned are too difficult for you to understand, then another option can be added to your solution list. That is to use another Windows Media Player alternative. But this solution can be only applicable when the error is caused by the damaged of the Windows Media Player. In other words, if you came to find that Windows Media Player fails to support the video format you are playing, then Leawo Blu-ray Player can be used then because it is compatible with more formats in comparison with Windows Media Player. Leawo Free Blu-ray Player software could provide you quality-lossless image with 4K video playback, stereo audio enjoyment, multiple DVD decryptions and user-oriented playback control. Besides, Leawo Blu-ray Player’s practical bonus features including useful power manager, customizable skin, various selectable language, snap screenshots, especially virtual remote controller which makes it a better choice for all playback choice. Follow the steps below and then you can obtain the video playback easily.

Step 1: Download Leawo Blu-ray Player and install it.

Free Download Free Download

Step 2: Load the video. Open Leawo Blu-ray Player and click “Open File” button on the main interface to import the video to the program. Once the file has been loaded, then you can immediately watch the video on the player.

Leawo-Blu-ray-Player

Part 4: Comparison Chart between WMP and Leawo Blu-ray Player

No matter which media player you stick with, it is wise to get down to know the advantage and disadvantages of each program so that you can always use the more suitable one for video playback with superb quality. Here comes a chart showing the comparison between WMP and Leawo Blu-ray Player.

Program Pros Cons
WMP

● Built-in Windows OS
● Easy to operate with simple buttons
● Able to playback popular video/audio formats

● Lacks certain codec for handling some video files
● Plays back video/audio within limited region, cannot handle region-locked files
● Supports limited customization features

Leawo Blu-ray Player

● Intuitive user interface
● Offers rich built-in codec library
● 100% free of charge and region free
● Provides many customization features
● Handles 4K HD videos with superb experience

● Requires software installation