How to Fix Video Playback Problems on Your Computer?
I am unable to play video files on my Windows PC. Every time when I play any video, it starts stuttering and lagging throughout. Is there any video repair workaround by which I can fix such video playback problems?
Having playback issues while watching important video files on your computer can be disheartening, but don’t lose hope! Whether the problem involves stuttering, freezing, buffering, or error messages, there’s always a chance to repair corrupt or damaged video files.
Usually, such playback issues occur due to an outdated or incompatible media player, a faulty graphics driver, and even an outdated Windows OS version. Whatever the reason is, there are certain video repair methods available to bring your videos back to the playable state. We will discuss the possible causes and different methods to help you understand how to fix video playback problems on Windows PC in simple steps. So, let’s begin!
Common Reasons for Video Playback Issues
Before diving into different methods to fix the video not playing issue, it’s crucial to understand the exact cause of the problem. Some important reasons for video playback problems on your computer include:
- Outdated or Corrupt Video Drivers: If the graphics card drivers of your device are outdated or corrupt, you may not play video files properly.
- Software or Codec Issues: Your media player or streaming service might not be compatible with the video file format or need an updated codec.
- Internet Issues: Streaming video files online requires a stable internet connection; your video starts buffering or lags if the connection is slow or inconsistent.
- Corrupted Video Files: If your video is corrupt or damaged, it renders problems while playing.
- Lack of System Resources: Insufficient system resources such as CPU, RAM and GPU may slow video playback.
How do I Fix Video Playback Issues? [Quick Methods]
Now that you are familiar with the reasons for video playback problems on your computer, it’s time to fix the issue. Before diving into more complex workarounds, let’s begin with the basic ones:
Method 01: Try Different Media Player
Sometimes, it’s your outdated or corrupt media player which can cause video playback problems. Before you proceed with any other repair methods, try changing your media player. Instead of the Windows built-in media player, you can use the VLC media player or any online tool to play your video files. If the issue keeps existing, move to the next methods.
Method 02: Update Graphics Drivers
Video playback depends on the GPU (graphics processing unit) of your device. If the graphics are outdated, you may experience video playback problems on Windows PCs. Outdated drivers fail to process the video accurately, and hence, cause glitches or stutter while playing. You can follow the below steps to update the GPU drivers:
- Firstly, right-click on the Start button and select the Device Manager option.
- Go to Display Adapters and expand its sub-parts.
- Right-click on your graphics driver and click on the Update Drive option.
- Now, select the Search automatically for drivers option from the Update Drivers window. Go through the on-screen process till the drive updating process is completed.
- Once done, restart your PC and try playing the video again to check if the issue is resolved.
Method 03: Install Missing Codecs
A codec is a piece of software which plays a very important role in decoding video files. If your device lacks the required codec, video won’t play softly. In such cases, you can follow the below steps to install codecs:
- Initiate the process by uninstalling the installed codec pack and rebooting your device.
- Now, launch the default media player on your device and check if the native Codec pack is intact.
- Reboot your device again.
- Lastly, download and install a new codec pack from its official website.
Method 04: Update Device OS
The outdated version of the operating system is also one of the main reasons for video playback problems on your computer. You can update your device’s OS to resolve such performance problems and playback errors. Here’s how to do it:
- Press the Windows + I keys to launch the Settings app.
- Now, click on Update & Security.
- Click Check for Updates.
- If any update is available, download it on your device.
Method 05: Repair Corrupt Video Using VLC Media Player
Windows devices consist of a built-in VLC media player, which you can use to play video files and fix minor corruption issues, including playback errors. To fix your video playback problems on your computer using the VLC player, you need to:
- Launch the VLC media player and click Media from the menu bar at the top.
- Select the Convert/Save option from the drop-down menu.
- Click the Add button to upload the video you need to repair.
- Now, hit the Convert/Save button and then go to the Profile section under Settings.
- Choose the preferred input codec and click Start. Wait till VLC repairs your corrupt videos.
Method 06: Use Third-Party Video Repair Software
If you are still experiencing video playback errors on your computer, try using a third-party video repair software to repair the video file and fix the issue. Stellar Repair for Video is an excellent choice for repairing corrupted or damaged video files in a few simple steps. It is a reliable and powerful software which can repair video files of several file formats, including MP4, FLV, MOV, and many more.
The Stellar Repair for Video software is compatible with both Windows and macOS devices. Whether your video is experiencing playback errors due to video compression, system crashes, video file format changes, etc., this versatile software will be the best choice for video repair.
Download and install the Stellar Repair for Video software on your computer, then follow the below steps to eliminate the playback problems:
- Launch the software and click the Add File button to upload the video file you need to repair.
- After adding, click the Repair process to initiate the repairing process.
- Once the repair process is complete, preview the repaired video files and click the Save Repaired Files button to save them at the desired location on your device.
Final Thoughts
When you encounter video playback problems on your computer for any reason, go with the aforementioned video repair methods to fix the issue from your end. Start by identifying the exact cause of the problem, and apply basic troubleshooting like changing the video player or installing the required video codec. If all these fail, move to the video repair process using the built-in VLC media player or third-party video repair software such as Stellar Repair for Video. Hope this article helps you in enjoying your videos once again!
Further Reading
