PC: video cannot be played - what to do?
If a video can no longer be played, there are three measures that can remedy the situation. How do they show you.
1. Alternative media player to play videos
If you are unable to play a video or can no longer play it, the error may be due to a defect or incompatibility of the video player. You can try the following alternative players to play or converter to convert to another video format:
- The widely used VLC media player comes with its own codecs and automatically offers a temporary repair for defective videos.
- XMedia Recode also has its own codecs and can display videos in the preview window. The free tool can also be used to convert videos to other formats, such as the standardized MPEG-2.
- The Zoom Player also manages to play defective files and can handle many formats.
- The free tool DivFix ++ manages to permanently repair broken DivX files.
- Alternatively, you can try out other players such as Winamp, RealPlayer and AVS Media Player.
- Other video converters worth trying are SUPER, Freemake Video Converter, Any Video Converter and Free AVI Video Converter.
2. Reinstall video codecs
If you cannot play your video, you may be missing the right codec. Find out the codec of your video and install it after:
- Under »Tools« -> »Codec information« -> »Codec« the VLC media player shows you the codec of the loaded video. Unfortunately, the player does not reliably recognize all codecs.
- In this case, install the freeware tool MediaInfo, which you can get for free in our download area.
- After installation, you can load the video in Explorer with a right click in MediaInfo.
- MediaInfo shows you the audio and video codecs used as well as links to compatible video players and the codec manufacturer.
- There you can download the player and / or codec free of charge.
- Alternatively, the required codec is most likely included in the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, or in codec packages for Windows XP, Windows 7/8, Windows 7
3. System recovery if video still doesn't work
If your video is still not working, you can still reinstall your graphics card drivers. If problems continue to occur, a system restore will help you at a point in time when there was no error.
- In Windows 7 you will find the menu for system recovery under »Control Panel« -> »Recovery«.
- In Windows XP you will find this function under »Start« -> »All Programs« -> »Accessories« -> »System Tools« -> »System Restore«. You can find detailed instructions here.
- Click the "Open System Restore" option and choose a time that you think the problem has not yet resolved.
- Recovery points before tampering with video or system settings are promising.
- You can find detailed instructions on how to load a system restore point in Windows 7 in this practical tip.
If your webcam, headset, flash player, touchpad or Firefox no longer work, you can find help in other practical tips.