AniSmall
AniSmall for iOS
Convert and compress videos/audios.
OPEN
Home > More Solutions>MP4 to VLC Converter-How to Solve VLC Won't Play MP4 Video Files

VLC

TRY IT FREE TRY IT FREE
1. Playing with VLC+
  1. 1.1 Play Blu-Ray Movies
  2. 1.2 Play DLNA Content
  3. 1.3 Play Videos in VLC with Airplay
  4. 1.4 Play YouTube Videos in VLC
  5. 1.5 Play M2TS with VLC
  6. 1.6 Play MTS with VLC
  7. 1.7 Play M4V with VLC
  8. 1.8 Play MP4 in VLC
  9. 1.9 Play RTMP with VLC
  10. 1.10 Play ISO with VLC
  11. 1.11 Play AVI with VLC
  12. 1.12 Play WMV with VLC
  13. 1.13 Play MIDI with VLC
  14. 1.14 Play 3D Movies with VLC
  15. 1.15 Play AVCHD with VLC
  16. 1.16 Play Sopcast in VLC
  17. 1.17 FLAC Not Playing
  18. 1.18 MP4 Not Playing
  19. 1.19 FLV Not Playing
  20. 1.20 MKV Not Playing
  21. 1.21 MOV Not Playing
  22. 1.22 UNDF Not Playing
  23. 1.23 Use VLC for PS3
2. Convert & Stream+
  1. 2.1 VLC Streamer
  2. 2.2 Stream From VLC to TV
  3. 2.3 VLC Video Converter
  4. 2.4 vlc to mp3
  5. 2.5 VLC to MP4
  6. 2.5 Convert FLAC to MP3 with VLC
3. Editing with VLC+
  1. 3.1 Edit vidoe Using VLC
  2. 3.2 Rotate Video Using VLC
  3. 3.3 Cut Video Using VLC
  4. 3.4 Lopp Videos in VLC
  5. 3.5 Adjust & Sync VLC Subtitle
4. VLC for Mobile+
  1. 4.1 VLC for iOS
  2. 4.2 VLC for iPad
  3. 4.3 VLC for Windows Phone
5. VLC Assistant+
  1. 5.1 VLC Assistant
  2. 5.2 VLC Alternative
6. Tips & Tricks+
  1. 6.1 Download VLC 64 bit
  2. 6.2 VLC Latest Version
  3. 6.3 Download VLC for Mac
  4. 6.4 VLC for Windows 7
  5. 6.5 VLC for Windows 8
  6. 6.6 VLC Skins
  7. 6.7 VLC Command Line
  8. 6.8 VLC as Default Player
  9. 6.9 Convert CD with VLC
  10. 6.10 Burn VLC Files to DVD
  11. 6.11 VLC Web Plugin
  12. 6.12 Remote Control VLC
  13. 6.13 VLC Shortcuts
  14. 6.14 Screen Capture with VLC
  15. 6.15 Sync VLC Audio
  16. 6.16 KMPlayer vs. VLC
  17. 6.17 MPC vs. VLC
  18. 6.18 MPlayer vs. VLC
  19. 6.19 VLC Old Version
  20. 6.20 Snapshots in VLC
  21. 6.21 Change XBMC to VLC
  22. 6.22 Is VLC Safe
  23. 6.23 Best Torrent Player
  24. 6.24 How to Control the Speed
  25. 6.25 VLC Player Doesn't Have Sound

All Topic

DVD Users
  1. DVD Tips
  2. Burn Videos to DVD
  3. Convert DVD to Video
  4. VOB Solutions
  5. DVD Review
Social Media Users
  1. Tumblr
  2. Snapchat
  3. reddit
  4. ringtones
  5. YouTube Videos
  6. TV Recording
  7. Recording Tips
  8. WhatsApp
  9. Twitter
  10. Screen Recorder Tips
  11. TikTok Videos
  12. Likee Videos
  13. AI Portrait
  14. Auto Reframe
Camera Users
  1. TS Users
  2. GoPro Tips
  3. AVCHD Users
  4. For DV
  5. Pictures
  6. Sync Audio
Photography
  1. 4K
  2. AVI Solutions
  3. MPEG Users
  4. Other Formats
Creative Design
  1. iMovie
  2. Trim Videos
  3. Add Subtitle
  4. Apply Effects
  5. Other Editing Tips
  6. Mac Users
  7. Merge Videos
  8. Watermark editor
Movie Users
  1. MP4 Solutions
  2. MKV Solutions
  3. MOV Solutions
  4. M4V Solutions
  5. WMV Solutions
  6. FLV Solutions
  7. Metadata
  8. Movie to GIF Solutions
  9. Movie Editing Solutions
  10. VR Movie Solutions
  11. Movie Recording Solutions
  12. Movie Player Solutions
  13. Movie Transfer Solutions
  14. Movie Subtitling Solutions
  15. Movie Compression Solutions
Travelling Fans
  1. Convert Videos
  2. Video Converters
  3. Convert Videos for Devices
Educational Users
  1. MP3 Solutions
  2. Compress
  3. Audio Solutions
  4. OGG Solutions
  5. Education Solutions
More Solutions
  1. Noise Remover
  2. File Formats
  3. Slideshow Maker
  4. VLC Users
  5. Play the Video
  6. Toolbox Solutions
  7. GIF
  8. Transfer Tips
Holidays
  1. Halloween
  2. Thanksgiving
  3. New Year
  4. Christmas
  5. Valentine's Day
  6. Mother's Day
  7. Easter
Game Lovers
  1. Game Edit
Other Tips
  1. 4K Video Tips
  2. 8K Video Tips
  3. HDR Video Tips
  4. AV1 Tips

MP4 to VLC Converter-How to Solve VLC Won't Play MP4 Video Files

by Christine Smith • 2024-01-11 10:27:49 • Proven solutions

Is it possible to play an MP4 file in the VLC media player? In most cases, the answer is yes, but things happen that you can't play MP4 files in the VLC media player, just like the user feedback below.

"I have an MP4 video that I can play with Windows Media Player, but VLC couldn't play it. I tried re-installing the latest VLC but no luck."-A user from videohelp.com

MP4 is a video file format with a multimedia container. Mostly every different MP4 files are encoded with the different video codecs. If you are using a perfect video file that is not corrupted, then the problem can be related to the video codec. You can solve this by trying other video players or converting the MP4 file to another VLC supported format, like converting MP4 to AVI, using MP4 to VLC converter - Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate) software on Mac or Windows.

Free Download Free Download

Part 1. 3 Main Reasons and Solutions for VLC Cannot Play MP4 Files

Reason #1: Limitation on Hardware Decoding for MP4 format, especially for subtitles

Solution: Go to VLC on your computer and disable hardware video decoding.

Go in the Tools > Preferences, then click Show all Setting from the bottom left side.

mp4 to vlc converter

Now move cursor to "Input/Codecs" > "Video Codecs" > "ffmpeg", here choose Disable for "Hardware Decoding" option. Now restart your VLC and play that MP4 file again.

mp4 to vlc converter

Reason #2: Wrong video settings in preferences

Solution: Go to Tools > Preferences on your computer in VLC and check the following settings by turn.

Check the box "Enable Video" if it is unchecked previously.

Check the box "Windows Decorations."

Click on Output and select X11 video output (XCB) as your video output.

After the above settings, click the Save button and try to play MP4 files now.

mp4 to vlc converter

Reason #3: Too old version for VLC

Solution: VLC is a free media player available from VideoLAN, which regularly updates to support more formats so as to provide a better user experience. To solve the "VLC Won't Play MP4 video files" issue, you can check whether you are using the latest version of VLC. If not, just update the program by visiting the VLC official site for download.

mp4 to vlc converter

Part 2. How to Solve "VLC Not Playing MP4" Issue

Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate) is exceptional software to solve “VLC not playing MP4” issues. This software allows you to convert MP4 videos to VLC supported format in few clicks only. It's not only a converter but a powerful video player, which plays any format video. Moreover, Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate) acts as a downloader, video burner and media streaming software, which offers a complete video solution.

Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate) - Your Complete Video Toolbox

Free Download Free Download
Security Verified. 5,481,347 people have downloaded it.
  • Convert MP4 video formats to 1000+ formats, like AVI, MKV, MOV, MP4, etc.
  • Convert to optimized preset for almost all of the devices
  • Play videos in any format with its inbuilt video player
  • Edit, enhance and personalize your videos file
  • Download/record videos from 10000+ online video sharing sites
  • Industry-leading APEXTRANS technology converts videos with zero quality loss or video compression
  • Supported OS: Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista, macOS 11 Big Sur, 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14, 10.13, 10.12, 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7.

Quick preview the steps to convert MP4 to VLC supported format:

Step 1 Launch Wondershare Video Converter

Install the program on your computer and run it. Below is the interface of Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate) Software.

mp4 to vlc converter

Step 2 Add MP4 Files to Wondershare VLC Converter

Now browse MP4 files from your computer to convert them in the VLC supported format. Click on the Converter tab in the software interface, and then you can browse files by clicking the Add Files button or by dragging or dropping the way.

mp4 to vlc converter

Step 3 Preview Imported Videos

After selecting your file, Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate) will start adding files. Once files are added, you can see their thumbnail displayed as the screenshot shows.

mp4 to vlc converter

Step 4 Select Output Format

Now you have to choose the output video format. You can choose it by clicking on the setting icon from the Target box, and then choose the format you want to convert to.

mp4 to vlc converter

Step 5 Convert MP4 to VLC Format

Click the Start All button in the bottom right to start MP4 conversion immediately, and you can see the purple progress bar clearly. When the conversion ends, you can find the converted file under the Finished tab.

mp4 to vlc converter

Free Download Free Download

Part 3. 4 Common FAQ Tips for VLC

Question #1: Is it possible to convert media files to other format using VLC itself

Answer: Yes, just go in the Media > Convert/Save and Add the file that you'd like to convert select format, and then click on the Start button. But note that VLC only supports several video formats to convert.

mp4 to vlc converter

Question #2: Can I play online videos directly in VLC

Answer: Yes, you can directly play online videos by adding their URLs. Click on Media>Open Network Stream and click on the Network tab, then copy and paste the URL of the video from your browser and press the Play button.

mp4 to vlc converter

Question #3: Can I record webcam video with VLC

Answer: Yes, just click on Media>Capture Device and select Direct Show from the Capture Mode drop-down menu, select Video and audio device where you want it to capture, click on the Play button now, and it will start recording.

mp4 to vlc converter

Question #4: How to control VLC remotely from a browser

Answer: You can enable this feature by going in Tools>Preference and then click on the Radio button in the Show Setting option. Now click on the Interface>Select Main Interface and Here Check the option Web checkbox. After checking on the Web checkbox, click on the interface>Main>Lua and choose a password. Now, this feature will be enabled, and you can control your VLC with the browser on mobile or laptop. And to use this feature in your browser, please type Localhost:8080, then enter the password you choose while setting up. Now it will display the VLC media player in your browser.

mp4 to vlc converter

Hot Articles
3 Must-Know Tips to Play DLNA Content with VLC
We are going to discuss how to play DLNA content using VLC through this article, including tips on how to convert VLC to the DLNA server on both Windows and Mac as well.
How to Play Videos in VLC with AirPlay
We will discuss about how to play your videos in VLC with AirPlay in this article. Follow the easy steps to play videos and DVD on Apple TV easily.
All-round Tips for Playing M4V Videos with VLC Media Player
We are going to learn about all necessary tips for playing M4V Files with VLC Media Player on both Windows and Mac through this guide.
How to Play WMV Files with VLC
This tutorial will tell you how to play WMV files with VLC.
Christine Smith

Christine Smith

chief Editor

Your complete video toolbox

TRY FREE See Pricing
TRY FREE See Pricing
app store btn See Pricing

Other popular Articles From Wondershare