Many VLC users may have encountered some troubles when they try using VLC to play FLV movies. At present, FLV media files are everywhere on different platforms and popular among video makers. This guide would provide you with several effective solutions to solve VLC won’t play FLV issues. Keep reading and you will find the answer.

Part 1: Does VLC Media Player Play FLV File?

As a free, open-source and cross-platform media player, VLC media player could play most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. VLC is available for multiple platforms, including Windows/Mac/Linux operating systems, Android, iOS, Tizen, Windows Phone OS, etc. You could get VLC from various digital distribution platforms like Apple’s App Store, Google Play and Microsoft Store, etc.

As one of the most popular media players in the world, VLC could read file format containers like MP4, ASF, MKV, etc. So does VLC play FLV files? Basically speaking, most FLV file containers are supposed to be opened by it. However, there are still some cases that VLC won’t play FLV. A couple of possible reasons are associated.

Reason 1. The outdated FLV codec in VLC media player

If your VLC won’t play FLV file, it is highly possible that the FLV codec in the VLC media player is outdated. When the VLC player is not installed with the latest codecs, this kind of issue would occur from time to time, as the FLV can be compressed with new codecs. Thus, you should renew the VLC player FLV codec library.

Reason 2. Irregular FLV files that are formed within complex processes

Although a majority of FLV files are generally encoded in common FLV codecs, there are always some exceptions. Whereas you may be confused about what the specific VLC player FLV codec could be, it is more effective to directly transcode the FLV to playable formats such as convert FLV to MP4 using VLC internal features. Or using other professional video converters on Windows.

Reason 3. Broken FLV files and system conflicts are likely to happen

Apart from the FLV codec VLC player problems, the possibility also lies in the FLV file itself. It is common sense that most of the programs are not able to open and read damaged files unless some repair tools. In other words, your FLV might be corrupted during the download. On another side, the VLC FLV Mac could be having conflicts with other applications. It is advised to shut down other running processes or go for better VLC alternatives.

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Part 2: Update VLC Codec for FLV Playback

Many users want to know does VLC media player really play FLV files. Well, most of the time, it can. However, some users still suffer from the playback problem when they play FLV files on VLC. How to open FLV files in VLC media player successfully? There are several solutions to fix it.

First of all, we should try updating the FLV codec in VLC media player. A large group of VLC users is not aware of the software update whereas it is really hard to notice the frequent refinement. Luckily, VLC provides users with a simple automatic process to finish it. Thus, I will help with how to update the latest FLV codec VLC player release.

Step 1. Open the VLC and click on the “Help”. Then tap the “Check for Updates” to let it detect if there is a new version. Once the update is available, a prompt will display.

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Step 2. Click on the “Yes” to begin downloading.
Check the download process and it is up to your internet connection.

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Step 3. Choose the “Install” button to start the setup.

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Step 4. Before the installation, this new FLV codec will request the admin permission. Keep proceeding with “Yes”.

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Step 5. Now the VLC startup wizard is running. Confirm with the “Next”.

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Step 6. Tick the first option - “Upgrade VLC using previous settings” and then go to the next page.

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Step 7. Now the VLC player FLV codec is being updated. Click the “Finish” once it is done.

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Part 3: Convert FLV to MP4 with VLC

As a matter of fact, restoring the FLV codec VLC player app is not the only way to address the VLC won’t play FLV concerns. If you want to make sure that the FLV is recognizable by all the other programs even VLC FLV Mac software, you can convert FLV to MP4 using VLC’s inner performance.

Nevertheless, I found many mistakes while transforming via VLC media player. Regardless of the slow speed, there could be some crashes and incomplete transmissions. The worse cases are some files are not supported to input. So I turned to another powerful video converter - Leawo Video Converter, which is the utmost choice you could get to convert FLV to MP4 without hassle. You are allowed to input any source media content thanks to the strong codec base.

   

Next, I will show you how to open FLV files in VLC media player and convert FLV to MP4 using VLC. This demonstration will be performed on the Mac OS system.

Step 1. Launch VLC media player and navigate to the “Convert / Stream”.
Look up to the title menu where you can see the “File” option. Click on it to draw out the submenu and select the “Convert/Stream”.

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Step 2. Import the FLV files by clicking on the “Open Media”. Under the “Choose Profile” field, pull out the long list and select the MP4.

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Step 3. Choose a location to save the transcoded MP4 data. In the “Choose Destination” box, click on the “Save as File” and define a pathway for it.

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Step 4. Hit the “Save” button to convert FLV to MP4 using VLC.

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Part 4: Other Free FLV Media Player Software

Whilst someone wants to learn how to convert FLV to MP4 using VLC, there is actually another effortless method to resolve VLC won’t play FLV. The answer is to try out some best free FLV player software tools. Here are some reliable FLV apps for recommendations.

Top 1. Leawo Blu-ray Player

Specialized in various media solutions for all kinds of files, Leawo Blu-ray Player has the flawless playback ability to support FLV format smoothly. Compatible with hundreds of container formats, this brilliant VLC player alternative can play FLV movies on Windows and Mac seamlessly. The solid technology background ensures ultimate playback for Blu-ray, DVD, and their ISO files, disc folders. It can deliver breathtaking images and audio output without quality loss. That is to say, every user is guaranteed with the original display even with 4K HD films. Additionally, the region-free program is inbuilt with a handful of bonus features such as virtual remote control, battery protector, and a quick screenshot button. Enriched with changeable themes and skins, novices can enjoy the intuitive graphic design at any time.

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Leawo Free Blu-ray Player 

☉ 100% free movie player for Windows & Mac users to play Ultra HD 4K, 1080P and 720P videos.

☉ Free Blu-ray/DVD player to play 4K disc, folder and ISO file, regardless of disc protection and region code.

☉ Support multiple audio decoding systems like Dolby, DTS, AAC, TrueHD, DTS-HD, etc.

☉ Adjust subtitles, video and audio during media playback.

☉ Serves as a powerful Blu-ray/DVD to MKV converter to convert Blu-ray/DVD disc, folder and ISO image to MKV with lossless quality and high speed.

Top 2. Any FLV Player

This is another free VLC player alternative that works copes with FLV files smoothly. Embedded with all the necessary VLC player FLV codecs, it can stream FLV videos as well as AVI, MPG, MPEG, ASF, WMV. In general, it covers all the fundamental features of the VLC media player. Having a classic interface with neat options, you can also design the video preferences in many aspects. However, the outdated framework would be a minus point.

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Top 3. FreeSmith Video Player

Entirely equipped with the VLC player FLV codec, it is an easy-to-use program. With its lightweight design, users find it very handy to watch FLV movies in high quality. Besides the FLV playback, it can fluently open MPEG2-TS, AVCHD, MKV, AVI, MPEG, WMV, DivX, MP4, XviD, 3GP, so on. If you are looking for how to open FLV files in VLC media player alternative, this one is ideal for all the beginners.

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Part 5: Conclusion

I hope you can figure out how to solve VLC media player won’t play FLV files after reading this article. The causes why VLC won’t play FLV are also listed for your references. To sum up, you can update the VLC player FLV codec or convert FLV to MP4 using VLC. However, the conversion has many drawbacks. Hence, it is suggested to adopt a formidable FLV video converter like Leawo Video Converter.

Overall, the best solution is to turn to another media player that could play FLV files just like VLC does. We would like to recommend you Leawo Blu-ray Player, a totally free multimedia player program that could playback video, audio, DVD, Blu-ray and ISO image files without any quality loss. Either way will help you successfully answer the questions about FLV playback.