Why Won’t My Computer Play Videos? Isn’t that the question of the day? If I’m being honest, that is a broad question, you may be unable to play a video because of an error code or because the laptop was tossed from a building.
Jokes aside, I have compiled a variety of solutions that target a broad range of common issues that most users face. I encourage trying out each listed solution until one of them works.
Your difficulties with your video could have stemmed from one of the below-mentioned causes-
Reasons Why Your Computer Won’t Play Videos
- Internet and Network Issues
- Software and Browser Problems
- Video Player and Codec Issues
- Hardware Problems
- Operating System and Driver Issues
- Specific Platform Issues
- Streaming Service Problems
- Advanced Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Solutions to Solve Computer Won’t Play Videos
The solutions are meant to improve your user experience, please make sure to read all the steps before proceeding, and to be patient during the process. Make sure that you create a backup for your video file beforehand to protect it from any further harm.
Update Software and Browser
Outdated Software or browsers may affect your computer’s ability to play videos. Try updating your system to see if it makes a difference.
1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Click on Windows updates on the left-hand side column.
3. Click on Check For Updates.
4. Update your software.
Update graphics drivers Using Device Manager
Outdated graphic card drivers can easily hinder your experience while playing videos, follow the instructions to get your graphic drivers up to date-
1. Open Device Manager.
2. Locate Display adapters and click on it.
3. Right-click on your graphics card and select Update Driver.
Clear Cache
RAM or accumulating too much cache data can slow down your PC and prevent it from playing your videos. Follow the instructions below to get rid of unnecessary cache data.
1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Click on System from the left-hand column.
3. Open Storage.
4. Click on Temporary files.
5. Select the file types you want to remove and click on Remove Files.
6. Click Continue to confirm your choices.
Disable or Delete third-party cookies
Some conflicting third-party cookies may prevent you from playing videos on your browser. To fix you can delete them by following the steps below-
1. Open Chrome.
2. On the top right click on the 3 dots, and access the settings.
3. Click on Privacy and Security.
4. Access 3rd Party Cookies.
5. Click on See all site data and permissions and select Delete all data.
Solutions to specific problems
While the earlier mentioned troubleshooting solutions would target all the minor and common video issues, the ones given here specialize in targeting specific causes or errors that may occur. If you need clarification on any of the given steps, please get help from someone who is.
Windows Media Player Configuration Settings
Windows has an inbuilt repair feature that you can use to resolve video playback issues on Windows Media Player. Follow the steps below to use Windows Media Player Configuration Settings-
1. Use the Windows+R shortcut to open Run Command.
2. Type in msdt.exe -id WindowsMediaPlayerConfigurationDiagnostic and click on OK.
3. A Windows Media Player Settings window will pop up. Click on Advanced.
4. Check the Apply Repairs automatically box and click on Next to begin repairs.
5. Verify the Results.
Solving QuickTime error 23132 using Disk Manager
QuickTime error 23132 presents itself when users attempt to pay an M4V file and may be caused due to minor errors or inconsistencies. You can use Device Manager to rectify these issues by following the instructions below-
1. Using the Windows+X shortcut, open Device Manager.
2. Under Universal Serial Bus Controllers and Double click
3. Right-click on the USB drive under Universal Serial Bus Controllers and
click on uninstall.
Convert Video File Format using VLC
Did you know? VLC Media player can help when you are unable to play videos on the computer. Your system may not recognize the format, or the header of the video file has been displaced. You can resolve it by converting your video file using VLC Media Player. Follow the instructions below to learn how.
1. Open VLC Media Player.
2. Click on the menu and select Convert/Save from the drop-down list.
3. Click on Add, select the video file you wish to fix, and then click on Convert/Save.
4. Under profile, choose a format to convert to. (preferably Video -H.264 +
MP3 (MP4) )
5. Select a save location and Click on Start.
6. Verify the results.
Repair Video File Using Professional Software
If none of the above solutions has worked out so far, professional video repair software is your last resort. Here, we will be using RIKVR Video Repair for the demonstration.
1. Download, Install, and Open Rikvr Video Repair.
2. Click on Add File, import your damaged video file, and click on Repair.
3. After the repair process, preview the fixed video file to verify the results.
4. Choose a save location on your PC and save the repaired video file.
Why Won’t Videos Play on My Laptop – Windows 10 and Windows 11 Fixes
Windows 10 and Windows 11 each have version-specific quirks that can stop video playback entirely. On Windows 11, Microsoft removed several legacy codec bundles that Windows 10 included by default. This means formats like HEVC (H.265), used by many modern cameras and streaming services, will not play unless you install the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. If you see the error message “Can’t play this video” accompanied by error code 0xc00d36c4, a missing HEVC codec is almost certainly the cause.
On Windows 10, a common culprit is an incomplete Windows Update that partially overwrites display or audio drivers. To verify this, open Device Manager, expand Display Adapters, and check whether your GPU is listed with a yellow warning triangle. If it is, right-click and select Update Driver, then choose Search automatically for drivers. Additionally, Windows 10 users should check that the Movies & TV app is not corrupted by navigating to Settings > Apps > Movies & TV > Advanced Options > Repair.
For both operating systems, running the built-in Video Playback troubleshooter is a reliable first step. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters and run the Video Playback troubleshooter. Windows will automatically scan for driver conflicts, codec mismatches, and display configuration errors, and it will attempt to apply fixes without requiring a restart in most cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Computer Video Playback Problems
Why is my computer not displaying video?
If your computer is not displaying video at all — either in media players or on websites — the most likely causes are a faulty or outdated graphics driver, a loose or damaged display cable, or an incorrect screen resolution setting. Open Device Manager and check your Display Adapters entry for errors. If the problem occurs only in a browser, disable hardware acceleration in the browser’s settings as a first step.
Why does it say “Can’t play this video” on my PC?
The “Can’t play this video” error on Windows typically appears with an error code such as 0xc00d36c4 or 0x887a0005. The 0xc00d36c4 code points to a missing codec — most often HEVC — which you can install from the Microsoft Store. The 0x887a0005 code indicates a graphics driver crash during playback; updating or reinstalling your GPU driver from the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) resolves this in most cases.
Why won’t videos play on my laptop even with a good internet connection?
If your internet connection is stable but streaming videos still won’t play, the issue is likely browser-side rather than network-side. Outdated browser versions, corrupted cache data, disabled JavaScript, or conflicting browser extensions can all block video playback. Try opening the video in a private or incognito window — if it plays there, a cached file or extension is the culprit. Clear your browser cache and disable extensions one by one to identify the problem.
What is the best free tool to fix video playback issues on a PC?
VLC Media Player is the most widely recommended free tool for resolving video playback issues. It includes its own built-in codec library, meaning it can play almost any video format without requiring additional software. If a video plays in VLC but not in other players, you know the file is intact and the issue lies with the other application’s codec support. VLC can also convert video files to more compatible formats using its Media > Convert/Save function.
Can a corrupt video file cause my computer to not play videos?
Yes. A partially downloaded, improperly transferred, or disk-error-damaged video file will often fail to play or play only partway through before freezing. You can attempt to repair a corrupt video file using VLC’s built-in conversion feature, or use dedicated video repair software. Signs of a corrupt file include the video playing without audio, green or distorted frames, or the media player crashing immediately upon opening the file.
Conclusion
I hope that you resolved your issue and played videos on your computer again. If you were unable to find a solution to video playback issues, please ensure that you mention a few more details about your situation while searching for solutions. As the world grows to consume multimedia, it is vital to learn how to get out of such situations. If you have any queries or feedback, please reach out.
