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How to Fix Video not Playing on PC in 8 Simple Steps

Check our what to do if videos won’t play in Windows 10

7 min. read

Updated onMarch 19, 2024

updated onMarch 19, 2024

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Key notes

Video is perhaps the most consumed content today, whether you’restreaming onlineor watching offline from your computer or device.

Over the years, Windows PCs have enabled many users not just to create but also to embed and edit videos from their computers, using different Office programs and apps.

Windows 10 has seen steady uptake from consumers, but this, too, has come with many troubleshooting concerns.

One of these concerns is related to videos not playing on Windows 10. Let’s see some issues aggregated around the same topic that you will hopefully fix with our solutions:

Among the quick fixes for this is restarting your computer, but should this not help, try the troubleshooting tips below.

Why won’t videos play on my computer?

Apart from work, we also use our laptops and PCs for media consumption. But if the video is not playing on your Windows 10 PC, it could be because of the below-mentioned reasons.

Now that you know the issues that could trigger video not playing matter on your Windows 10 PC let us go through the solutions you can apply and resolve the problem.

How do I fix video not playing on my computer?

1. Uninstall and reinstall the display driver

One of the main point to look at if your video does not play on you Windows laptop is the fact that the drivers might be outdated or even some of them are missing. Here’s how to carefully uninstall & reinstall them, both manually via Device Manager and automatically with the help of a driver updater tool.

2.SelectDisplay driversto expand the list.

Right-click on the device and clickUninstall.
Ensure the option to delete the driver package from the system is checked/selected so that the driver package installed is deleted.
Go to theAction menu.
SelectScan for Hardware changesto reinstall the driver.
Close andrestartthe computer.

To avoid doing this manually, we bring to your attention a quick and useful software that will handle this situation automatically.

For this type of issue, our recommendation goes towardsPC HelpSoft Driver Updater, a quick, friendly, and very efficient tool. Not only does this tool let you know when your drivers are outdated, but also it lets you choose from a bunch of missing ones to have your PC up-to-date and running again.

⇒Get PC HelpSoft Driver Updater

2. Convert the video into a readable format

Apart from the drivers possibility, a common solution to the inability to play videos is the fact that the format is not compatible with any of the players that you have on that PC. To fix this you can try to change the video format into another one that can be read through one of the programs.

Out in the market are a big number orgood video editing programsintended not only for professionals but also for persons that just emerge into this space. Some of them are designed for the special effects particularity others are friendly to users and you get plenty of features that will let your creativity go wild.

They support a large number of formats and give you the freedom that you need in terms of customization.

3. Check if the proper codec is installed/run. Optimize compatibility

If videos are not playing in the browser on Windows 10, it could be that you don’t have the appropriate codec installed.

For example, someone could send you a PowerPoint presentation with media based on a codec that your PC doesn’t have.

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxecan fix the video not playing on Windows 10 by converting video formats/codecs to MP4, MKV, WMV, AVI, MOV, H.264, etc.

This process happens fast and efficiently, and the results ensure professional-level quality.

Simplifying the process of converting the files that can’t run on Windows 10 by using this incredible software allows you more time to ensure that all the other project elements are up to standard.

On top of these, that’s your chance to get access to any video, regardless of codec HEVC/H.264 or frame rate.

4. Install missing plug-ins

You may be missing Adobe Flash or Silverlight plug-ins that could enable video playback, especially for browsers.

Get the right or missing plug-ins, then check if the video is playing again.

5. Open video in the browser

Some sites have online videos that cannot play from other applications. Try opening through your browser and check if this fixes the video not playing on Windows 10 issue.

6. Check for all available Windows updates

Keeping up your system to date is essential, and if videos don’t play on your computer, then be sure to download the latest Windows updates.

7. Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering

This solution is quite simple, but it might help if videos don’t play on your laptop.

8. Change the video player

If none of the above solutions helped you fix the video is not playing issue on your Windows 10 PC, then it is time for you to switch to a different video player.

Often because of a bug on the player, you will encounter such problems until they are fixed with an update. If no update is available, you can opt for a different video player.

There are multiple video players available in the market, and we have a dedicated guide that lists some of thebest video playersyou can download on your PC.

What can I do if the video is not playing in Windows 11?

The above solutions also apply to the video not playing issue in Windows 11. However, a few other tips can help you resolve the problem on your Windows 11 PC.

Why won’t MP4 play on my computer?

Here are some common reasons why MP4 file format won’t run on your computer.

Did any of these solutions fix the Videos not playing on Windows 10? Let us know by leaving a comment in the section below.

For more potential solutions, check out 11Ways to Fix There Was a Problem Playing This Video Error.

Also, leave there any other suggestions or questions you may have.

How to Fix Video not Playing on PC in 8 Simple Steps#

Why won’t videos play on my computer?#

How do I fix video not playing on my computer?#

1. Uninstall and reinstall the display driver#

2. Convert the video into a readable format#

3. Check if the proper codec is installed/run. Optimize compatibility#

4. Install missing plug-ins#

5. Open video in the browser#

6. Check for all available Windows updates#

7. Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering#

8. Change the video player#

What can I do if the video is not playing in Windows 11?#

Why won’t MP4 play on my computer?#