The MP4 file format maintains video quality despite the small size. No wonder it is the most popular file type for sharing videos across all social platforms and devices. However, often users complain that they can’t play MP4 files on Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC and laptop.
'My MP4 files won't play on Windows 10. I downloaded a few videos on my laptop, but for some reason, they just won’t play, neither in Windows Media Player nor in Movies & TV. I wonder if there’s a fix to play MP4 video files.'
'I upgraded to Windows 11 and now none of my MP4 files play in Windows Media Player. I get the message ‘Windows media player can't play the file. The player might not support the file type or might not support the codec used to compress the file. How to play MP4 files on Windows 11?'
It’s annoying when you wait to watch your favorite video, memes, gig, or movies but cannot view them for unknown reasons. However, no need to be anxious anymore. In this post, you can find the effective methods to fix Windows can’t play MP4 files.
Why is MP4 file not playing on Windows 10/ 11?
From missing codecs to MP4 file corruption, there could be any reason for MP4 video not playing on Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. Playing an MP4 file in a media player that doesn’t support the format will also lead to video errors. For instance, Windows Media Player version 10 and below are incompatible with MP4 format. Hence, MP4 files won’t play in these players.
Here are some common reasons why you can’t open MP4 files on Windows 10 or Windows 11:
- Media player doesn’t support MP4 format
- Windows media player doesn’t have necessary codecs
- MP4 file is corrupt or damaged due to virus infection, bad sectors in the drive, etc.
- Virus infection or malware in the system
- Video drivers are not updated, causing video errors in Windows
Best methods to fix ‘can’t play MP4 files on Windows’
1. Update MP4 media player to the latest version
No matter which media player you’re using, update it. Updates fix the technical glitches, enhance performance, and add new features and video file format support.
The previous Windows Media Player 10 and below versions cannot play MP4 video files. You need to upgrade to the latest Windows Media Player version 12 to watch MP4 files on Windows 10.
To upgrade to Windows Media Player 10, follow the below steps:
- In Windows Start button, type features. Select Turn Windows features on or off.
- Expand Media Features. Uncheck the Windows Media Player check box and click OK.
- Restart your Windows PC. This removes the current Windows Media Player version.
- Again in the Windows Start button, type features.
- Expand Media Features. Select the Windows Media Player check box and click OK.
- Restart your PC to reinstall the latest version of Windows Media Player on our laptop/ desktop.
2. Install the relevant MP4 codecs
According to Microsoft, a codec ‘compresses or decompresses media files’to ‘play and create media files’. All media players, including Windows Media Player, VLC Player, and others, require relevant codecs to play a particular file type.
Codecs come built-in with media players. If your media player can’t play MP4 files on Windows 10 or Windows 11, check if it supports MP4 format. If it doesn’t, then install the relevant codecs.
To install MP4 codecs on Windows 11/ Windows 10, you can get a codec pack such as K-Lite or Media Player Codec Pack or other.
In case Windows Media Player won’t play MP4 videos, you can configure it to install codecs automatically. To do so, follow the belowsteps to install MP4 codecs in Windows Media Player:
- Open Windows Media Player.
- Navigate to Tools > Options > Players tab.
- Under the Player tab, in Automatic updates, select any one- ‘Once a day’ or ‘Once a week’.
- Click OK to install Windows Media Player codecs automatically.
If you receive a message to install the codec, click Install. Once you install the codecs, MP4 video files should play on Windows Media Player.
3. Run the Windows Troubleshooter
Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer built-in assistance to troubleshoot video playback issues. If you can't play MP4 files on Windows, run the troubleshooter to fix video errors.
Here are the steps to troubleshoot MP4 problem in Windows 11:
- Press Windows +I keys to open Settings in Windows 11.
- Select System on the left pane.
- Click on the Troubleshoot option on the right pane.
- Click Other troubleshooters. The list of troubleshooting problems appear.
- Scroll down to Video Playback and click on the Run button.
- Once the troubleshooting finishes, restart your Windows 11 and play MP4 files in the media player. This should fix Windows 11 can’t play mp4 problem.
Click here for steps to run video playback troubleshooter in Windows 10.
4. Convert MP4 files format
If you can’t play MP4 files on Windows 10 or 11, try to fix the issue by converting the file format. File conversion is a quick way to bypass the missing codec issue. You can convert MP4 files to AVI, WMV, MOV, or any other format supported by your media player. Try online programs like CloudConvert, Handbrake etc. or desktop apps like WinX HD for video file conversion.
5. Play MP4 files in another media player
Consider playing MP4 files in a different media player that supports the format. The best choice could be a free and open-source VLC Media Player. It is known to play almost any video file type without any issue. The media player is compatible with Windows 11.
Other than VLC, you can try Movies & TV app, DivX Player, KMPlayer, 5K Player, RealPlayer, QuickTime, etc. These media players support 5K 1080p HD/ UHD MP4 video files and are compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Meanwhile, Windows 11 users can trust its new default ‘Media Player’. It’s the improved version of Windows Media Player in Windows 10.
6. Repair unplayable MP4 file
Tried all the above methods, but MP4 video files are not playing in Windows? It’s quite possible that your video file is corrupted. Don’t worry. Get Stellar Repair for Video, a popular video repair software that fixes corruption in the file header, data, sound section, frames, etc., making the damaged or inaccessible MP4 files playable again.
The software is simple and easy to use. You just have to add MP4 file/s, select the ‘Repair’ button, and let the software do its task. In no time, it repairs the severely corrupt MP4 videos and shares the preview of the repaired files before saving.
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