{"id":21998,"date":"2016-09-27T06:10:50","date_gmt":"2016-09-27T06:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/?p=21998"},"modified":"2019-12-19T05:49:25","modified_gmt":"2019-12-19T05:49:25","slug":"vlc-player-mp4-solutions-for-vlc-cant-play-mp4-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/vlc-player-mp4-solutions-for-vlc-cant-play-mp4-files.html","title":{"rendered":"Solutions for VLC Can\u2019t Play MP4 Files"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Many VLC player users would come across such kind of occasions: the files with .mp4 extension they put into VLC are failed to be recognized and played by VLC. Generally speaking, VLC media player is MP4 friendly. However, since MP4 is an open source file container, which means the inside codec would be different from that is supported by VLC. Therefore, sometimes VLC player would fail to play MP4 files. This is why your VLC can\u2019t play MP4 files. In this guide, we would like to share VLC player MP4 solutions to let you easily turn your VLC player an MP4 VLC player. You could then freely play any MP4 files on VLC media player. <\/p>\n<div class=\"anchor-list-dark\">\n<ul class=\"pl40\">\n<li><a href=\"#part1\">Part 1: Possible Reasons for MP4 Playback Failure on VLC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#part2\">Part 2: Fix MP4 File with VLC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#part3\">Part 3: Disable Hardware Video Decoding in VLC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#part4\">Part 4: Download and Install MP4 Codec for VLC <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#part5\">Part 5: Free Alternative to Play MP4 Movie <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"part1\" class=\"wp-part pl20\"><strong>Part 1: Possible Reasons for MP4 Playback Failure on VLC<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Actually, the reasons for MP4 playback failure vary. The possible reasons will be given in various cases. Some clues can be traced according to the above introduction in the beginning, but for your further details on the possible reasons why VLC cannot play MP4 will be listed via the following points. You can track back from the following symptoms to confirm the exact reasons. <\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Corrupt MP4 files.<\/strong> First of all, you must make sure the MP4 files you have dragged to VLC Media Player are all protected and have not been damaged. If this is the cause for the failure, what you need to do is to download the correct MP4 videos to make the playing process work properly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. VLC &ldquo;Video output modes&rdquo; is set in the wrong mode. <\/strong>Sometimes, if you do not set the VLC Media Player in the proper way, for example, you have not activated some output video formats, then you may experience the MP4 video failure at last. Then, you have to open VLC and click on the &ldquo;Preferences&rdquo; to enable the &ldquo;Video&rdquo; option to &ldquo;X11 video output&rdquo;. Finally, restart VLC Media Player to come effective.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tc\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/possible-reasons-for-mp4-playback-failure-on-vlc-01.jpeg\" onClick=\"return hs.expand(this)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/possible-reasons-for-mp4-playback-failure-on-vlc-01.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"441\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-82783 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/possible-reasons-for-mp4-playback-failure-on-vlc-01.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/possible-reasons-for-mp4-playback-failure-on-vlc-01-300x221.jpeg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/441;\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>3. Lack of MP4 video codec. <\/strong>Actually, the lack of MP4 video codec may be the main cause for the MP4 failure on VLC Media Player. MP4 is a container video format which is able to contain various audio, video and subtitle streams. If the MP4 file you have tried to play on VLC contains another video codec which is not compatible with VLC, then it will fail to play VLC. In order to solve the problem, you have to download and install MP4 video codec.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"part2\" class=\"wp-part pl20\"><strong>Part 2: Fix MP4 File with VLC<\/strong><strong> <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If the MP4 file is corrupt, then what you need to do is to fix the MP4 file accordingly. With the help of VLC Media Player, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/fix-corrupted-mp4-file-1389.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">repair the damaged MP4 files<\/a> correctly. You can simply refer to the following steps.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 1.<\/strong> Locate the MP4 file on your computer and right click on the file and select &ldquo;Rename&rdquo; option. <\/p>\n<div class=\"tc\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-01.jpeg\" onClick=\"return hs.expand(this)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-01.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"837\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-82778 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-01.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-01-215x300.jpeg 215w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/837;\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Step 2. <\/strong>Change the MP4 file name. First, change the file format MP4 to AVI as shown below and confirm the change. <\/p>\n<div class=\"tc\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-02.jpeg\" onClick=\"return hs.expand(this)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-02.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"550\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-82779 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-02.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-02-300x275.jpeg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/550;\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Step 3. <\/strong>Open VLC and select &ldquo;Tools&rdquo; &gt;&gt; &ldquo;Preferences&rdquo;. <\/p>\n<div class=\"tc\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-03.jpeg\" onClick=\"return hs.expand(this)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-03.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"449\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-82780 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-03.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-03-300x225.jpeg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/449;\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Step 4.<\/strong> Enter &ldquo;Input\/Codec&rdquo; section. Then you can find the &ldquo;Input\/Codec&rdquo; settings window. Under files section, select &ldquo;Always fix&rdquo; under the drop down menu &ldquo;Damaged or incomplete AVI file&rdquo;. Then click &ldquo;Save&rdquo; button.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tc\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-04.jpeg\" onClick=\"return hs.expand(this)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-04.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"226\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-82781 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-04.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/fix-mP4-file-with-VLC-04-300x113.jpeg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/226;\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Step 5. <\/strong>Restart VLC Media Player and try to play the corrupt MP4 file again.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"part3\" class=\"wp-part pl20\"><strong>Part 3: Disable Hardware Video Decoding in VLC<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes, the hardware video decoding may result in the failure of MP4 files on VLC. In such a case, if you can disable the hardware video decoding in VLC, it will work effectively. The steps are quite simple.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 1.<\/strong> Open VLC Media Player and click &ldquo;Tools&rdquo; and then &ldquo;Preferences&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 2. <\/strong>Click &ldquo;Input\/Codec&rdquo; option under &ldquo;Preferences&rdquo; submenu. Then you can view the &ldquo;Input\/Codec&rdquo; setting window. Next, click the &ldquo;Hardware-accelerated decoding&rdquo; drop down button and choose &ldquo;Disable&rdquo; option. <\/p>\n<div class=\"tc\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/diable-hardware-video-decoding-01.png\" onClick=\"return hs.expand(this)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/diable-hardware-video-decoding-01.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"465\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-82784 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/diable-hardware-video-decoding-01.png 600w, https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/diable-hardware-video-decoding-01-300x233.png 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/465;\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Step 3.<\/strong> Restart VLC Media Player and load the MP4 file to the player to make another try.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"part4\" class=\"wp-part pl20\"><strong>Part 4: Download and Install MP4 Codec for VLC <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>VLC Plays most codecs with no codec packs needed: MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-4 ASP, H.264, DivX 4\/5\/6, XviD, SV1, 3ivX D4 and H.264\/MPEG-4 AVCMKV, AMR, WebM, WMV, MP3\u2026 However, MP4 files containing codecs like H.265 and other VLC unsupported A\/V codecs cannot be read by VLC. A codec is a computer program that is able to convert the digital files by encoding and decoding them to the preferred format. Therefore, in order to activate the MP4 file on VLC Media Player, you have to install the correct MP4 video codec for VLC. How to download MP4 codec for VLC Media Player? Here, you can turn to download and install a codec pack which consists of many codecs that are installed at once so that you don&rsquo;t have to install them in the future. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 1. <\/strong>try to download VLC player MP4 codec packs from CNET. Download and install it immediately by following the on screen installation steps. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 2.<\/strong> You only need to select the &ldquo;Easy Installation&rdquo; mode instead of &ldquo;Expert Installation&rdquo; mode to complete the installation process. <\/p>\n<div class=\"tc\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/download-and-install-mP4-codec-01.png\" onClick=\"return hs.expand(this)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/download-and-install-mP4-codec-01.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"346\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-82777 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/download-and-install-mP4-codec-01.png 600w, https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/download-and-install-mP4-codec-01-300x173.png 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/346;\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Step 3. <\/strong>Once the VLC Codec Pack has been installed successfully on your computer, restart your computer and VLC Media Player, then you can simply click on the MP4 file and select &ldquo;Open in VLC Player&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"part5\" class=\"wp-part pl20\"><strong>Part 5: Free Alternative to Play MP4 Movie <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re not a dedicated VLC player user, you could take a VLC MP4 player alternative to play MP4 files. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/blu-ray-player\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leawo Free Blu-ray Player<\/a> is what you need. As an all-inclusive media player, Leawo Free Blu-ray Player performs even better than VLC player. It supports all video formats like MP4, AVI, FLV, MOV, MKV, WMV, etc. in different codecs like MPEG-4, H.264, H.265, etc. With Leawo Free Blu-ray Player, you could never be bothered by VLC player can\u2019t play MP4 files issues. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/downloads\/blu-ray-player.html\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/images\/icon\/Trial_win1.png\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/downloads\/blu-ray-player-mac.html\"><img alt=\"\"data-src=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/images\/icon\/Trial_mac1.png\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This free media video player is 100% which can play any media in any format for totally free. No in-app purchase or another kind of cost required. Besides acting as a free 4K video player, it\u2019s region-free 4K Blu-ray player software to play 4K Blu-ray disc, regardless of disc protection and region restriction. Thirdly, Leawo Blu-ray is able to play up to 4K UHD\/1080P Full HD video without quality loss in any format, including 4K MKV, 4K MP4, HD MP4, HD AVI, etc. Finally, users can also select subtitles and audio tracks, even add extra subtitles. Deliver cinema-like movie experience with the support of various advanced audio decoding technologies like Dolby, DTS, AAC, TrueHD, DTS-HD, etc. If you want more VLC alternative options, please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/10-alternatives-to-vlc-for-mac-and-windows.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">10 Free VLC Alternatives for Mac and Windows<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tc\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/free-vlc-alternative-01.jpg\" onClick=\"return hs.expand(this)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/tutorial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/free-vlc-alternative-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"421\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-82782 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/free-vlc-alternative-01.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/free-vlc-alternative-01-300x211.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/421;\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>After referring to the article elaborated above, you will not be puzzled by such questions any more. If you have a general idea about the detailed reasons or causes for the MP4 failure on VLC, then you can carry out the detailed steps accordingly. <\/p>\n<p>Generally speaking, first of all, you should attempt to check the MP4 files you have obtained. Make sure the MP4 file is not damaged. Then, you can also try to disable the hardware video decoding in VLC to make it work properly. Alternatively, you can turn to other solutions. For example, you can take a try on another powerful media player that is capable of playing all kinds of digital video files -- Leawo Blu-ray Player. What\u2019s more, if you have obtained the steps on how to convert the MP4 video format to other formats that are more compatible with VLC Media Player, then it will be quite perfect to solve the problem. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/video-converter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leawo Video Converter<\/a> is one of the best MP4 to VLC encoder software that offers you the best solution to convert MP4 video to VLC supported formats. With Leawo Video Converter, you could change MP4 videos of different video and audio codecs into VLC MP4 video with either MPEG-4 or H.264 AVC codec.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many VLC player users would come across such kind of occasions: the files with .mp4 extension they put into VLC are failed to be recognized and played by VLC. Generally speaking, VLC media player is MP4 friendly. However, since MP4 &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/vlc-player-mp4-solutions-for-vlc-cant-play-mp4-files.html\">Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[214,213,221,201,235,270],"tags":[16,14],"class_list":["post-21998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alternatives","category-player","category-player-alternatvies","category-video","category-video-player","category-video-to-video","tag-blu-ray-player","tag-video-converter"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"views":6956,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21998"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21998\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leawo.org\/entips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}