Found a video file you can't play? It could be due to a poor media player, missing codecs, or be a problem with the file. Mayhap it's an issue with Digital Rights Management (DRM) preventing a video from playing.

You might as well run into problems playing videos online from a PC, such equally on Amazon or other sites.

In many cases, you can overcome issues and get the videos running. Here's what you lot need to know almost dealing with error codes, codecs, streaming, and video playback errors.

Common Reasons for Video Playback Errors

It's often frustrating to detect a video file on your PC that won't play, especially if information technology worked previously.

Various factors impact the playback of a video file:

  1. Your media thespian cannot play it
  2. Codecs are missing from your computer
  3. The file extension is unrecognized
  4. A DRM decryption key is missing
  5. The video file is corrupt
  6. The online video service has a problem

Some of these errors can be resolved; others cannot. Let's accept a expect at how to play online and local videos on your PC and fix any errors.

i. Ostend the Video File Extension

About video files characteristic recognizable extensions. For example, you're probably familiar with WMV, AVI, MP4, or MKV. Many other file extensions are in use for video, however. (Some of these denote the format of the video files; others are merely container formats.)

In some cases, the file extension might have been changed. Information technology'southward important to detect the correct file extension, although this might be a process of trial and mistake.

If your video file won't play and you're convinced it should, endeavor changing the file extension:

  1. Open Windows Explorer
  2. Go to File > Options > View
  3. Find Hide extensions for known file types
  4. Clear the checkmark, then click Apply
  5. Click OK to ostend
Hide file extensions to fix video errors

You can then see the file extensions of your video file. This volition appear equally described above. To change the video file extension, first make a note of what it is to beginning with.

Then use the correct-click menu to find Rename and alter the extension to some other recognized suffix. When asked Are you sure yous want to change it, click Yes.

Rename video file extensions

Changing the file extension doesn't piece of work oft, merely information technology's worth taking the time to ensure the correct extension is set up.

Windows 10 features two media players pre-installed. First is the legacy Windows Media Role player 12, which while regularly updated, was released with Windows 7 back in 2009. Second is Film & Television set, a video playing app supporting a wide pick of video formats.

At first glance, the Film & Tv set app might exist the smart option. Afterward all, a mod video player should exist able to play all file formats that came before.

Withal, this is not necessarily the example. To salvage money on licensing, Microsoft has omitted back up for some video codecs from Windows x. As such, a video that might have worked under Windows vii or viii might not play in Windows 10 using the preinstalled media players.

The solution to this is unproblematic, however: use VLC media player instead. At that place's a very good adventure the video file will play.

Download: VLC media player (Free)

VLC isn't the only solution, however. Other Windows x media players are available also.

3. Install the Latest Video Codecs

To play any video file that exists in the wildest corners of the web you need two things:

  1. A media histrion (or the software)
  2. A codec

You know what a media player is---merely what is a codec?

In simple terms, it is software that knows how to convert the video into a viewable state.

Many codecs can exist used to encode video. In some sense, the codec is like the key and your video is similar a locked file. You need the same cardinal or the codec to view the file that was used to encode the file.

This causes bug if you don't accept the correct codec installed.

VLC media actor is the solution to many video playback issues. It can play well-nigh any video format, from XviD to Real Video, and fifty-fifty optical discs. Codecs are congenital into VLC media player, although other techniques are used to playback videos.

Furthermore, VLC media player can play partial files, which can testify useful in establishing the viability of a file.

If y'all're already using a different media player and don't want to switch, don't worry. Y'all can install all the codecs you lot need using the K-Low-cal Codec Pack. This is a parcel of free codecs that should allow yous to play any video and audio file.

With the correct codecs, video files should play smoothly. Inclement video playback can exist fixed in several means, including by updating to the most recent codecs.

Download: K-Calorie-free Codec Pack (Free)

4. DRM Issues Are Preventing Playback

In other cases, some video files are locked to a specific media thespian.

This is near commonly the example with the M4V video format, a DRM-encoded version of the MP4 format. Different MP4, M4V can only be played on Apple's media role player software.

M4V files are purchased from the Apple TV app, and previously iTunes. So if you accept used this service to buy video files and they won't open in your regular software, utilise Apple'southward media player software.

If the file has also corrupted, you lot may need a new copy of it. Check your purchases in iTunes to re-download the file.

v. Repair or Partially View Corrupt Video Files

Fix the 0xc00d36e5 video playback error

In Windows 10 yous might come across error letters that affect MOV and MP4 files. Simply with the right tool you can fix the 0xc00d36e5 or the 0xc00d36c4 mistake. It's typically accompanied with the message "Item is unplayable, please reacquire the content."

The tool you need to bypass this error? It's the VLC media player once again.

When Windows 10 is unable to play a video using the native tools, VLC is the alternative. Error codes can be overcome, and fifty-fifty corrupt and partially downloaded video files can exist played back.

Of course, corrupted video files are ultimately useless. Where possible, you lot'll need to replace a damaged file with a backup or download it over again from a reliable source.

Be aware that the 0xc00d36e5 error can also occur due to other factors. Also as a corrupt file, the storage media might be corrupt. Ability supply issues tin crusade the 0xc00d36e5 error besides.

There might also be an consequence with the Windows Registry causing playback problems. Resetting the Windows Registry tin help resolve this.

6. Resolve Bug With Your Online Streaming Service

It isn't only video files hosted on your PC that can outcome in error messages. Unplayable videos from the web tin also run across trouble.

Here's an example: Amazon Prime Video error code 9074. Usually limited to Roku errors, it is ane of several error codes that Prime Video displays, merely they're ofttimes interchangeable.

Prime Video playback fault codes can be caused by:

  • Server bug
  • VPN and proxies
  • An mistake on the playback device
  • General service outage

In some cases, waiting will fix the problem. But information technology's also worth rebooting your PC to be certain the problem isn't at your end.

Different media player playback, streaming video from the web doesn't require specific additional codecs. However, other issues preventing playback can be reset with a reboot---and who knows, past the time Windows 10 reboots, the Prime number Video server could exist support and running.

You could also avert issues with streaming video from Amazon. Simply download Amazon videos to your PC outset, and then watch at your leisure.

At present You Can Fix and Play Unplayable Videos on Your PC

If you're running into whatever problems playing locally stored videos, on removable media, or on Windows 10, VLC media thespian should be your start solution.

For other bug, consider the file extension, DRM bug, and streaming issues.

At times, Windows x error messages can be caused by other underlying bug. Be certain to take the time to set up them. Failure to bargain with these tin lead to worse problems, such equally the Windows 10 Blackness Screen of Decease.

How to Find Stop Codes and Set Windows x Errors

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