Videos Not Playing: Here are 5 Ways to Fix Video Playback Errors on PC

Most users across the globe prefer consuming content on their PCs and laptops over their phones. This is because the screen is bigger and more stable. If you also prefer the same, the error “unable to play video” or video not launching on your PC is a nightmare. Many users have complained about being unable to watch videos on their Windows PC, and the situation is not good. 

By chance, if you have also found a similar error or are stuck with video playback errors on your PC, this post is for you. In this one, we bring you five ways to fix videos not playing with other minor issues that might be causing the error. 

But first, let’s try to understand why your computer won’t play videos.

Why Won’t Windows Play Videos? Playback Error Meaning

Many users struggle to figure out how a PC can’t play a video. What sort of errors might cause the issues? Well, if you wonder the same, here is everything you should know about video playback issues on Windows.

When a video file is processed, it needs a dedicated environment to run. The environment refers to a proper video player application and audio and video drivers working in sync with the operating system. 

Remember that the ‘videos stop playing’ error does not mean that the video file you are trying to run cannot initiate. That is in the worst-case scenario. 

If you are experiencing broken pixels, jerks, audio lag, or a black screen with only audio, you are experiencing the playback error on your PC.  The reasons behind such a situation are as follows:-

• Your PC is Not Up to Date
• The Issue Lies With the Video Player Application
• Graphics Card Driver is Missing Updates
• The video File You Have Chosen is Corrupt
• There is Malware on Your PC

How to Fix Videos Not Playing Problems on Windows

Now that you know what can be the root cause of your problem, fixing the problem might not be a big deal anymore. That is why it is important to understand the issue properly. Here are some fixes that may help you swiftly resolve computer won’t play video errors. 

Fix #1 – Update Your PC

The first thing you should do is look for updates for your OS. Sometimes, bugs can appear on your system when you have not updated your PC for a long time. The video not playing on the laptop error may result from one such bug. 

To ensure that you are working on the best possible environment for your PC. simply – 

Step 1 – Press Windows + I to open System Settings.
Step 2 – In System Settings, look for Windows Update in the Left Hand Panel of Your Screen. Step 3 – Click on Windows Update & You Will find Multiple Options.
Step 4 – One of the options is to check for updates. Click on it.
Step 5 – This will initiate your search for updates on your PC. If the PC is up to date, you will see it there, else the system will fetch and update for you, install it! 

Once you have updated your PC, restart your system and try running the problematic video file. It should now run smoothly. 

Fix #2 – Try Using a Different Media Player

If the error persists after updating your system, chances are that the issue lies in the media player. There are multiple media players available for Windows that you can try out. There are good chances that the media player you are trying to use is outdated or has bugs.

Get Help here – How to Update Outdated Drivers in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7

The best way to know is to try out a different media player. This will give you an idea about whether the issue lies in the media file or the media player. If you use your computer’s default Windows Media Player, try out a third-party application like VLC media player. 

To check whether you have other options to play a video file, simply – 

Step 1 – Navigate to the video file’s location and select the file.
Step 2 – Right-click the file to open the quick-access menu for the same. Step 3 – You can find the option “Open With” Click on it to find out if you have supporting applications for the file.Step 4 – If alternatives are available, try running the video file using the same.
Step 5 – If there are no installed applications, you also have the option to find applications via the app store. 

Fix #3 – Run Video Playback Troubleshooter

If changing the media player does not cut it, there may be an issue with the video playback module on your PC. The best way to find and fix it is by using the video playback troubleshooter on your PC.

Here’s how to initiate it – 

Step 1 – Press Windows + R to bring up the Run search.
Step 2 – In the Run, use the command “Control” to open the Control Panel.Step 2 – Ensure the Control Panel view is set to Large Icons. In the available options, look for troubleshooting. Step 3 – In the troubleshooting window, you will find multiple options. Look out for the View All option in the left-hand panel of your screen.  Step 4 – When you click on view all, you will find all the troubleshooting modules, including the video playback troubleshooter. Step 5 – Click on it and run the troubleshooter instantly. Follow all the instructions of the troubleshooter, and it will automatically find and fix the issues, if any. 

Fix #4 – Update Graphics & Other Crucial Drivers

If none of the above fixes work, chances are that the error lies in your PC’s ability to handle video graphics. Mostly it happens when your graphic card driver is outdated. Updating it and other drivers that are not up to date can help rectify the video not playing on Windows error easily. 

But updating a driver using the traditional ways is boring. Finding the updated driver option after navigating through multiple layers of the Device Manager and driver list takes a lot of effort. The error may occur again when the driver needs an update, as no one manually updates the drivers every ten days or so.

So what should you do? Well, the best way to handle the driver needs of your PC is by using Advanced Driver Updater. 

Here’s how the tool works – 

Step 1 – Download the tool from the link below. 

Step 2 – Install the tool using the downloaded setup file. Run it once the installation finishes.

Step 3 – You can find the Start Scan Now option on the tool’s home screen.

Step 4 – Click on the option to start the scan. Let the scan run, as it will help you fetch the status of all the drivers on your PC.

Step 5 – Once you know about the outdated drivers, click the Update All option to finish the updates. 

Want to know?  which is the best software to update the driver.

Fixing Video Playback Error On Windows is Easy, And Now You Know It!

With all these fixes in place, the chances of the video not playing properly on Windows error narrow down to zero. Instantly use the above fixes and get rid of the issue yourself. If you wonder which step you should go for first, check the video file for corruption first and then update your graphics driver. 

This way, if the error lies in the fundamental file itself. It is understandable. Similarly, if the video playback issue occurs due to the graphics driver’s incompatibility, it is also resolved. 

That is all for this post. Make sure you download Advanced Driver Updater to fix all the minor issues your PC might have due to outdated drivers. Let us know in the comments if you have any other issue bothering you, we would be more than happy to resolve it for you!

Thank you for reading the post. Good luck!

Recommended : 

10 Things You Wish You Knew Before Updating Device Driver
5 Easy Ways to Backup & Restore Your PC Drivers