There are a few common reasons why videos may not open or play properly on your device. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide an overview of the most likely culprits and solutions to try.
Unsupported File Type
One of the most common reasons a video won’t play is because the file type is not supported by your device or video player. For example, if you try to play an MKV or FLV file on a device that only supports MP4 and MOV formats, the video will fail to open. To fix this:
– Try converting the file to a supported format using free software like Handbrake or FFmpeg.
– Download and install codecs or programs that allow you to play additional formats. VLC media player supports many file types out of the box.
– Use a different device that has the necessary codecs to play the file format. For instance, an MKV video may play fine on your desktop PC but not your mobile phone.
Video Codec Issues
The video codec is the specific compression algorithm used to encode the video, like H.264 or HEVC. If your device is missing the right codec, it won’t be able to decompress and play the video properly. Solutions include:
– Install updated codec packs for your operating system like K-Lite Codec Pack for Windows. This adds support for newer and less common codecs.
– Convert the video to use a more widely supported codec like H.264.
– Use a media player that has its own built-in codecs, like VLC.
Corrupt or Incomplete Video Files
If a video file is corrupted, damaged, or incomplete, it may refuse to play correctly. Troubleshooting tips include:
– Download the video file again, as the original download may have been interrupted or corrupted.
– Scan the file with antivirus software to check for malware or viruses.
– Try playing the file on a different device to see if the same issue occurs. This can confirm the file itself is damaged.
– Use recovery software to try repairing corrupt video files. Some options are Disk Drill, Stellar Repair for Video, and DivFix++.
Connection or Streaming Issues
For online videos, buffering and playback failures are often caused by a bad or slow internet connection. Likewise, on smart TVs or devices, streaming issues may prevent videos from opening correctly. Fixes include:
– Check your internet speeds and restart your router/modem if connection is poor.
– Try playing the video on a different device connected to the same network. If it works fine, the issue is device-specific.
– Disconnect and reconnect from the WiFi network on the problem device to refresh network settings.
– Clear your browser cache and cookies to eliminate possible streaming conflicts.
Software Conflicts and Bugs
Problems with your operating system, video players, graphics drivers, extensions or plugins can also sometimes disrupt video playback. Things to try here include:
– Update your OS, media players, browser, graphics drivers and plugins to the latest stable versions. Updates often fix compatibility issues.
– Temporarily disable any browser extensions and plugins to isolate conflicts.
– Try alternate media players like VLC or Movies & TV if the default has issues.
– Change video settings like hardware acceleration if available.
– Uninstall and reinstall the video player application having problems.
Insufficient System Resources
Lacking storage space, memory, graphics capability or CPU power can lead to videos failing to open or playback stuttering. Options to improve performance:
– Close other programs to free up RAM needed for video playback.
– Reduce video quality settings if available. Lower resolutions require less resources.
– Upgrade outdated or underpowered hardware like graphics cards and processors.
– Free up storage space on the device to accommodate large video files.
Permissions and Privacy Settings
On mobile devices and web browsers, permission and privacy restrictions may block video playback. To check this:
– Enable permissions for your browser or video app to access camera, microphone, storage, etc.
– Allow pop-ups and disable tracking protection if preventing embedded videos from loading.
– Check OS-level privacy settings are not blocking the app from accessing media files.
Geographic Restrictions
Region-locked content and geographic copyright restrictions can prevent videos from playing in certain countries or locations. You may need a VPN to bypass these restrictions. Other tips:
– Try using a different device or connection that isn’t geo-locked such as mobile data vs WiFi.
– Access the content from an allowed region if possible.
– Contact the content provider to request access if you are authorized to view the material.
Parental Controls and Device Restrictions
On kids devices and accounts, parental control and age restrictions can block certain video playback. To troubleshoot:
– Check the parental control settings and adjust the content ratings levels as needed.
– Use an admin account that isn’t restricted if available.
– Disable filters temporarily to determine if they are the cause.
– Update the content ratings or age restrictions if they are inaccurate for that video.
Other Random Issues
In some rare cases, other miscellaneous issues could be preventing videos from opening correctly:
– Outdated or missing security certificates preventing playback of DRM-protected content.
– Incorrect display settings like aspect ratio forcing vertical videos to be stretched horizontally.
– Subtitle files missing or named differently than the video file preventing text from displaying.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting an unplayable video file can be frustrating, but methodically working through potential solutions from most to least likely will usually identify the culprit. Start with file format and codec support, then connection issues, player conflicts, system resources, and permissions. With the right debugging, you should be able to get any video to play properly on your device.