By Michael | Last Updated
Have you ever tried to play a video only to see the frustrating message: “Can’t play video. Video Codec Not Supported”? You're not alone. This common issue can interrupt your streaming, video editing, or file sharing experience. But don't worry—this article explains everything you need to know about video codecs, why this error happens, and how to resolve it quickly.
A video codec is a tool that shrinks video files for storage or streaming and then expands them for playback. The term “codec” is a blend of “coder” and “decoder.” When you record or stream a video, the codec compresses the data so it can be saved or transmitted efficiently. To play it back, the same or compatible codec is needed to decode the file.
Common Video Codecs Include:
Each of these varies in compatibility across devices and platforms.
This error typically appears when the media player or device you're using doesn't have the right codec to decode the video file. Here are some common causes:
1. Unsupported File Format
Compatibility limitations exist for certain formats, including .mkv, .flv, and .avi, across various devices and software.
2. Missing Codec
If your media player lacks the necessary codec (e.g., H.265), it won’t be able to play the file.
3. Outdated Software
Old versions of video players may not support modern codecs like AV1.
4. Device Limitations
Older smartphones, smart TVs, or gaming consoles may not support high-efficiency codecs.
If your default media player cannot play the video due to the video codec not supported issue, you can try a different media player which is more versatile, such as VLC Media Player (Highly recommended), KMPlayer or PotPlayer. These players come with support for a wide variety of codecs by default.
If you encounter the video codec not supported error on Android phone, such as Samsung phone, what can you do? You can open Google Play Store and download VLC for Android. After installing, you can play the video on your phone again to check whether the error is fixed or not.
If the Video codec not supported error is caused by the incompatible video format, the direct way to fix it is converting the video format. You can use video format converter, such as HandBrake—the free and open-source video transcoder, to finish the format converting.
Just take HandBrake as an example, you can follow the below steps to convert the video format.
Step 1: Download and install HandBrake on your computer.
Step 2: Open the software and add the source video.
Step 3: Select the title and preset for your video.
Step 4: Select a compatible format, such as MP4, for your video.
Step 5: Click the Browse button to set the destination folder to save the converted video.
Step 6: Hit the Start Encode button to start converting.
If the video codec is not supported by your player, you can install the missing codec to resolve the playback issues. How can you know the missing codec? You can download the codec pack instead. K-Lite Codec Pack is chosen by many people to solve the codec issue.
Step 1: Download and install K-lite Codec Pack on your computer. If the error happens on your Android phone, you can download K-Lite Codec APK for Android and allow its installation in Settings > Security > Unknown sources.
Step 2: Finish the installation and launch the software.
Step 3: Follow the onscreen instructions to set it up.
Step 4: After that, you can re-open the video to check whether it plays normally or not.
Update your video player, operating system, or device firmware to ensure the better codec compatibility and performance.
If the video files are corrupted, your can also see the error message—can’t play video codec not supported. In such situation, you can repair the corrupted videos with a professional video repair tool, such as iSunshare XRepair Genius. With the advanced algorithms, this tool can help solve most video issues, such as codec errors and playback glitches.
Step 1:Open the software and select Video Repair on the sidebar. Then click Add Video to add the corrupted video files.
Step 2: Once the videos are on the list, you can click the Repair button.
Step 3: After the repairing process, you can hit the preview icon to check the video. If you are satisfied with the result, hit the Save button to export it on your computer.
Q1. What does “Video Codec Not Supported” mean?
It means your video cannot be played because of the missing codec. You may need to install a compatible player, codec pack, or convert the video format to resolve the error.
Q2. Can I play unsupported videos on my phone?
Yes, you can install a third-party player, such as VLC for Android, or convert the video to a supported format.
Q3. How can I fix codec not supported on my Samsung?
If your Samsung phone, tablet, or smart TV shows codec not supported, try the following: use a supported format, install a better player, check device compatibility, and update firmware or OS.
“Video Codec Not Supported” is a common but solvable error. In this article, you can learn what video codec is and several ways to fix video codec not supported issue. Whether you’re watching a movie, editing footage, or sharing a clip online, choosing compatible formats and keeping your software updated will save you time and hassle.
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