Summary: Codecs help play the file by encoding or decoding the multimedia components of a file. But new codecs also come up now and then. This will cause the media player to throw an unsupported issue. So here we discuss what to do when we get an unsupported codec issue.
Table of Content:
- What are unsupported video codecs?
- Methods to repair unsupported video codec
- Method 1: Update the media player
- Method 2: Try different media player
- Method 3: Install required codecs
- Method 4: Convert file with different codec
- How to repair video file is corrupted?
- Steps to use SFWare video repair tool
What are Unsupported Video Codecs?
Codecs are the algorithms that help the media components of a multimedia file to compress and decompress. These codecs help keep the file’s quality while keeping the file’s size small.
Now you can figure out what happens when a media player does not support the codec. These files cannot play. This is because the player cannot decompress the file components. Below are the common reasons for the unsupported codecs,
- Media player is out of date.
- Missing or corrupted codecs.
- Corruption in the file.
Methods to Repair Unsupported Video Codec
We must investigate solutions if you have encountered an unsupported video codec issue. There are lots of methods to deal with the problem. Here we have discussed some common ones, which we have evaluated and found results. Please follow the procedures to repair unsupported video codecs.
Method 1: Update the media player
Most of the issues when playing the file can be due to the media player issues, where many of them can be attributed to the outdated media player. The out-of-date media player may not have the latest codecs in the unsupported codec issue. The easy solution is to update the media player. Most of the software has an update checker built into the software itself. Follow the steps to update the Windows media player,
- Open Window Media Player.
- Click on the Help option at the top of the screen.
- Click on Check for updates.
Method 2: Try different media player
Suppose you are facing the issue of an unsupported codec issue, even after updating the software. This can be because the player does not support the required codecs. The simple solution for the problem is downloading and installing other media players, such as VLC. Once you install the player, you can try playing the file to verify that the issue is resolved.
Method 3: Install required codecs
Another solution to overcome the unsupported video codec is to install the codec. First, you can check the file for the codecs used and find the ones you need to install. Then, you can search the internet for the codecs and download and install them.
The other solution is to download and install the codec packs. There are lots of options here as well. The most common ones are the K-lite codec pack, Combined Community Codec Pack, and others.
Method 4: Convert file with different codec
When converting the file, you can select a different codec or format. This will help to change the codec, which is not supported, to a different one. You can do this simply using a VLC media player and following the steps below,
- Open the VLC media player and click on Media at the top of the screen.
- Select Convert/Save from the drop-down menu.
- In the window open, click Add in the File tab to choose the file.
- Once you select the file, click the Convert/Save
- Now select the Profile to change the codec options.
Note: Provide the location to save the converted file by clicking on Browse.
- Now click on the Start button to start the conversion.
How to Repair Video File is Corrupted?
You may need to repair the video file if you have exhausted all the solutions to fix the unsupported video codec issue or the corrupted converted file. You can use SFWare Video Repair tool to improve the video file, a purpose-built tool to fix various video errors.
Steps to use SFWare Video Repair tool
Download and install the SFWare Video Repair tool to repair the corrupted video file and follow the instructions below,
- Open the software and click on Select file to choose the file.
Note: Click on Choose Reference MOV file if prompted in the next screen and select a healthy file as reference.
- Now click on Repair to start the process.
- Once the repair process is complete, preview the file.
- If satisfied with the result, Click on the Save
Conclusion
When playing a video file, you may encounter unsupported video codec issues. We discussed the case’s reasons with this write-up and then checked some solutions. Please use these solutions to repair your problem and let us know how useful they are below.